Caladesi Island State Park, FL

Dates

Mar 7th - Mar 13th 2010

Service Project

Restoration and maintenance projects

Free Days

Beachcombing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and birding.

Accommodations

Tent Camping in State Park

Trip Rating

Active : Walking several miles each day, carrying lumber, sawing, hammering, lifting, hauling

Leaders

Patricia Cohen
Tammy Bernardi

Equipment

Caladesi Island State Park is a pristine Florida Gulf Coast barrier island. It has sparkling blue waters, magnificent snowy-white beaches, fertile coastal marshes, and dense maritime forests of oak, slash pine, and palm. Rare and endangered species find sanctuary here, delighting thousands of nature lovers each year. It is home to at least 43 species of birds, including the brown pelican, American oystercatcher, bald eagle, and piping plover. Osprey nests are perched in towering pine snags that pepper the island. Endangered manatees, loggerhead and green turtles are occasionally seen. Additionally, the island has a long and colorful history. Native Americans and Spanish explorers frequented the island. With the exception of the state park marina and swim beach located near the center of the island, Caladesi remains undeveloped. The gulf side of the island offers three miles of white sand beach that has been rated the second best beach in the United States. The bay side offers a mangrove shoreline and seagrass flats populated with an abundance of shore birds, fish and other wildlife. Nature, history, and recreational opportunities abound in this national treasure.

Our projects may include beach cleanup, mangrove trimming, exotic plant removal, foot and kayak trail maintenance, and repair or replace boardwalk. There are many different jobs that need to be done on the island and those which we will be asked to complete are dependent upon the most pressing needs of the park.