Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Compelling evidence of the existence of the ivory-billed woodpeckers is adding up. Once thought extinct, the ivory-billed has made a number of rare appearances in northwest Florida.

After a five month period spent in a remote area along the Choctawhatchee River biologists and ornithologists were able to capture extensive audio recordings of the woodpecker’s very distinctive "kent calls" and "double knocks" on trees. They have produced photographs of tree makings that are historically unique to no other North American woodpecker. The researchers have also made note of over 14 sightings that are believe to be of as many as four different ivory-bills, two of which have even been spotted together.

This, in combination with strong evidence that the woodpecker also exists in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas continues to boost the hopes of optimists that this species, once thought to be extinct, is still with us.

Gainesville 

The Sea Turtle Survival League is acknowledging local businesses that are helping endangered sea turtles. Since the program began nearly 60 coastal businesses have received "Sea Turtle Friendly" awards. By offering resources and educational materials to local businesses and hotels the league is building awareness of the need to preserve nesting habitats for turtles. They also have programs that helping baby turtles make it to sea after hatching on the local beaches. For example, with the league’s help, homeowners and businesses are dimming their lights at night to help the little turtles make it to the ocean.

Coastal Florida 

The Florida manatee is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the coastal waters of the United States today. It is a gentle sea cow that is often mortally wounded by high-speed recreational boats and threatened by the loss of bottom grasses, its preferred food. In 1979, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified special refuges and established a program to allow human use of those areas while encouraging the recovery of the threatened manatee. Today, boaters know to be on the lookout for manatees and abide by "slow" zones to avoid critically injuring these gentle giants. Though still at-risk, the manatee is around today largely due to the protections provided by the Endangered Species Act and the stewardship efforts of the boating community.

Sebastian 

Students at Pelican Island Elementary School in Sebastian Florida are true conservation heroes.  Once they learned that their school was built in the middle of habitat vital to the endangered gopher tortoise and threatened Florida scrub jay, they decided they needed to do something.  So the students raised money to purchase lands around the school.  With the help of a matching grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, they purchased multiple lots around the school, created a nature trail and outdoor learning center and are actively managing the lands to conserve scrub jays and gopher tortoise. Source: Pelican Island Elementary School

Related Materials for Florida

Sources

ENDANGERED SPEICIES: Ivory-billed has re-emerged in NW Fla. swamp, researchers say, Greenwire, September 26, 2006
New Claim for Evidence of Ivory Bills, NY Times, September 26, 2006
Research Papers
Evidence Suggesting that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis) Exist in Florida Avian Conservation and ecology, http://www.ace-eco.org/vol1/iss3/art2/