Merritt Island Wildlife Association

National Gopher Tortoise Day: Scrub Hike
2024-04-10 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Scrub Ridge Trail, MINWR
Details

Event is being co-hosted by Space Coast Audubon and Merritt Island Wildlife Association
Gopher Tortoise Day
April 10th was officially adopted by the Gopher Tortoise Council as Gopher Tortoise Day! In Florida, gopher tortoises are found in parts of all 67 counties and are frequently encountered in neighborhoods, along roadways, and in many of Florida’s public parks and forests. The goal of Gopher Tortoise Day is to increase awareness and appreciation for these long lived, gentle reptiles.
Join us for a Scrub Hike to learn about scrub plants and the wildlife that reside in this habitat, including Gopher Tortoises and the Florida Scrub Jay.
Scrub Ridge Trail hike (field trip – walking)
This trail is a 0.9-mile loop and considered to be an easy hike. It is flat and has almost no shade. We’ll walk for approx. 45 to 60 minutes in hopes of seeing gopher tortoises and Florida Scrub Jays. Along the trail we will stop periodically for our trip leaders to share information about native plants found in the scrub and the significance of Gopher Tortoises as a keystone species. Depending on our observations, we may travel to a second location nearby to observe a grouping of active gopher tortoise burrows.
Following our hike we will gather at Sendler Education Outpost (large, open air pavilion with picnic tables) to enjoy a group picnic and receive Gopher Tortoise activity kits. To add to the fun, we will have some Gopher Tortoise themed engagement prizes to encourage attendees to ask questions, share learnings, and participate in activities.
What to bring: water, snack, binoculars (let us know if you need to borrow a pair), bug repellent, sun protection and picnic lunch.
Suggestions for the best comfort: wear closed toed shoes (no flip flops), long pants, and a good sun protection hat.
What’s provided: Gopher Tortoise activity kits, snacks, and raffle prizes.
Logistics:
Please park at the entrance to Scrub Ridge Trail inside the Merritt Island NWR. You can get a map of the Refuge at the Visitor Center (located 3.5 miles from the Max Brewer Bridge) or view the cutout section in the photo gallery on Meetup. There are limited parking spaces, so please park to make maximum use of the dirt parking area or consider carpooling from the visitor center. Some vehicles may need to park along the road to the Scrub Ridge Trail. This trail does not have any restrooms. Flush toilets are available at the Visitor Center.
Sendler Education Outpost (lunch location) has lots of parking and two entrance gates. There are vault toilet restrooms by the pavilion. Use of the pavilion is provided by Special Use Permit.
About Our Leaders:
Paul Schmalzer, PhD is a plant ecologist. He recently retired from his role with the Integrated Mission Support Services at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. His research interests include: effects of fire on vegetation and soils, restoration of scrub ecosystems, distribution of rare scrub plants, and composition and dynamics of barrier island plant communities. Dr. Schmalzer serves on the Board of Directors of the Sea Rocket Native Plant Society.
Gráinne O’Grady earned her Masters of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from North Carolina State University. She has served in roles as an Avian Technician, Wildlife Techniques Teaching Assistant, and a Museum Technician. Gráinne is passionate about wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, Ornithology, Wildlife Habitat Management, human dimensions of wildlife, and Museum Collections.

Seafood for Our Shorelines @ Dixie Crossroads Restaurant
2024-04-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Dixie Crossroads, 1475 Garden St, Titusville, FL, 32796, United States
Join Merritt Island Wildlife Association for a delicious meal at World Famous Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, FL, on Tuesday April 2, 2024. The restaurant will donate 10% of all food purchases to help us preserve shorelines, wetlands, salt marsh, and other vital habitat at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
MIWA will have displays, educational material and raffles–come join the fun!

Happy Hour for Habitat at Playalinda Brewery
2024-03-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Playalinda Brewery Hardware Store, 305 S Washington Ave, Titusville, 32796, United States
Following up on the huge success of “Beer with a Biologist”, Merritt Island Wildlife Association will again be partnering with Playalinda Brewing Co. for “Happy Hour for Habitat” at the Playalinda Hardware Store location. Learn about the variety of habitat at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and enter free raffles for wildlife and habitat merchandise. Featured beer will be the Scrub Jay brew.

MIWA at Thousand Islands Festival
2024-03-16 10:30 - 18:00 | Cocoa Beach Country Club Pool Pavilion, 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd, Cocoa Beach, FL, 32931, United States
MIWA will have a booth at the 2024 Thousand Islands Fest at Cocoa Beach Country Club Pool Pavilion on Saturday March 16, 2024, from 10:30am-6:00pm.
You won’t want to miss Laurilee Thompson’s (MIWA Board of Directors Vice President) talk, “The Importance of Estuarine Shoreline” at 2:15pm. Mark your calendar now!

Pollinator Fair Hosted by Garden Club by the Sea (MIWA Hosted Butterfly Walks)
2024-03-03 11:00 - 16:00 | James H Nance Park, 201 N Miramar Ave, Indialantic, FL, 32903, United States
Visit the Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) booth at the Pollinator Fair. We will be hosting 2 butterfly walks, led by Ed Perry. Butterfly Walks will leave from the MIWA booth at 12pm and 2pm (no advance registration required, just show up). Our booth will have educational merchandise for sales and pollinator resource guides including information on bees, butterflies, bats and other pollinators.
About Our Butterfly Walk Guide (Ed Perry)
Ed Perry retired after a 31-year career as a Park Ranger at Sebastian Inlet State Park. He enjoys fishing, butterfly gardening, growing & grafting tropical fruit trees, beachcombing (for sea-beans!), tropical fish aquaria, wildlife photography, and sharing life with his twenty-four-year-old daughter. Ed is a Florida native that graduated from the University of Florida. In his retired life he became interested in being involved in butterfly counts and protecting tracts of native, wild lands within our beautiful state of Florida.
Pollinator Fair Event Details
The “Garden Club by the Sea” is presenting a free, family friendly “Pollinator Fair” Sunday, March 3 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Nance Park in Indialantic. Come experience the world of pollinators and interact with birds, bees, bats, butterflies and plants that support our local ecosystem. There will be:

Jazzy Music
Interactive children’s crafts
Food Trucks
Vendors
Master Gardeners to answer your questions
Plants for purchase and MUCH MORE!

So mark your calendars for Sunday, March 3 and we guarantee you will leave this event a Nurturer of Nature!

MIWA at Grant Seafood Festival
2024-03-02 09:00 - 2024-03-03 17:00 | Grant Seafood Festival, 4580 1st Street, Grant, FL, 32949, United States
Merritt Island Wildlife Association will have a booth at the 2024 Grant Seafood Festival on Sat March 2 (9am – 7pm) and Sun March 3, 2024, (9am-5pm). Come visit and bring a friend. We will have merchandise for sale from our own Nature’s Treasures Gift Shop.

Leap Into Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse Viera
2024-02-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Texas Roadhouse, 1975 Viera Blvd, Rockledge, FL, 32955, United States
Celebrate Leap Year with Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) at Texas Roadhouse Viera between 5 to 8pm, February 29, 2024.
Be part of Dine to Donate by mentioning MIWA to your server and dropping your dining receipt in the basket as you exit. The restaurant will donate 10% of all food purchases to help us preserve wetlands, salt marsh, and other vital habitat at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Commemorate Leap Year with fellow wildlife enthusiasts. Dine with a purpose to help protect reptiles, amphibians, birds, and other species who call the Refuge home.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds.  Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, managed impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. These habitats provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals and 14 federally listed species.

Visit Our Booth: Pioneer Day at Sams House and St. Luke's Episcopal Church
2024-02-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Sams House, Pine Island, 6195 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, United States
12th Annual Pioneer Day Festival Celebrates Merritt Island History
Celebrating the early settlers of Merritt Island on Pioneer Day at two of their historic sites will take guests back in history through Florida living history demonstrations, 19th century architecture, house/cabin/chapel/cemetery tours, antiques/artifacts on display, music, and nature. Festival will be held at both Sams House/Pine Island Conservation Area and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Events at Sams House (10 am to 4 pm):

Florida living history demonstrations and educational exhibits that include archaeology and anthropology, historic reenactors, encampments and artifacts on display
New: Captain Kim Cullers, with his 22 ft sailboat on display, will discuss river travel and the importance of the postal route that was maintained by sailboat (as early as the late 19th century locally).
Live music throughout the day by Celery City String Band, Chris Kahl, Pine Trio, and Boylston Fish
A Pioneer “parade” throughout the grounds at 11 am, led by drum and fife, of those dressed in historic attire
Local exhibitors on history and nature from Brevard’s historical societies and museums as well as from Brevard’s Indian River Lagoon, natural lands, and environmental organizations
Brevard Veterans Memorial Center with a World War II Jeep on display
Vintage, crafts and farmer’s market vendors (baked goods, quilts, local honey, herbs, Florida paintings, books, etc.)
Pine Island guided nature trail hikes throughout the day
1888 Sams House tours with rarely seen antiques on display
1875 Sams Cabin with exhibits on the Sams family pioneers, early Native Americans, and Ice Age fossils
Pine Island Preservation Society tent with vintage items, hiking sticks, t-shirts, gifts, etc. for sale; raffle items include a local fruit basket

Children’s crafts and games – Hay Dive, Steer Roping, Cornhusk Dolls, “Cow” Milking and Tic Tac Toe
Heidi’s Miniature Goat Petting Farm until 1 pm
Local food trucks and kettle corn!

Events at St. Luke’s (10 am to 4 pm):
Perrine Hall: Lunch includes a variety of homemade chilis (traditional, white and vegetarian), grilled hot dogs and loaded baked potatoes.
**10:15 am CEMETERY: Guided Tour *“Military and Space” ***Highlighting a few of our military veterans from the Civil War to Vietnam as well as people associated with the Space Program11:00 am CHURCH: “Life on the Indian River Lagoon” Dixie Crossroads proprietor and environmental activist Laurilee Thompson will talk about growing up as a 4th generation Floridian in Brevard County’s seafood industry over the past six decades
11:30 am CEMETERY: Guided Tour “Founding Families” Early Merritt Island settlers who were also the founders of St. Luke’s
12:00 to 12:15 pm CHURCH: “Community together in Prayer”
12:15 pm CHAPEL: “St. Luke’s Chapel: A Gem of Carpenter Gothic Architecture” Jonathan Rich, author of Spires in the Sun: The Carpenter Gothic Episcopal Churches of Florida, will give a talk on how this unique style of architecture came to the Florida frontier of the 1800s. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale
1:00 pm CHAPEL: Pioneer Music
1:30 pm CHURCH: “Ais, Indigenous People of Merritt Island” Before pioneers, the Indigenous people called “Ais” lived on Merritt Island. Learn more about the original settlers from David McDonald
2:00 pm CEMETERY: Guided Tour “Through the Ages” A glimpse of Brevard History from the life stories of locals spanning the decades
Ongoing Events: Self-Guided Tours of St. Luke’s Historic Chapel and Cemetery
About St. Luke’s Episcopal Church:
The historic chapel onsite was built in 1888 with the help of Sams, LaRoche, and Porcher families. Many early pioneers, including John Sams, are buried in the church’s cemetery. The church is located at 5555 N. Tropical Trail, just 1.1 miles south of Sams House at Pine Island. For information call (321) 452-5260 or visit our website at http://www.stlukesmi.org.

Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival (Jan 24 to 28)
2024-01-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701 Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL, 32920, United States

Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival (Visit our booth at the Expo Center)
2024-01-24 08:00 - 19:00 | Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701 Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL, 32920, United States

Beer with a Biologist
2024-01-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Playalinda Brewery Hardware Store, 305 S Washington Ave, Titusville, 32796, United States
Beer with a Biologist flyer

Butterfly Walk
2023-12-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center, 1987 Scrub Jay Way, Titusville, FL, 32782, United States
We will start with a short education session to learn butterfly basics including differences between skippers, swallowtail and whites/yellows. Photos of butterflies commonly seen in our area will be shown along with tips on how to attract them to your yard. After the presentation we will explore an area in the Refuge to observe butterflies in wild spaces.
Event is free and open to all ages. No prior experience or knowledge about butterflies is needed.
About our instructor (Ed Perry): Ed Perry recently retired as a 31-year Park Ranger at Sebastian Inlet State Park. He enjoys fishing, butterfly gardening, growing & grafting tropical fruit trees, beachcombing (for sea-beans!), tropical fish aquaria, wildlife photography, and sharing life with his twenty-four-year-old daughter Gayle (single father). Ed is a 56 year-old Florida native that graduated from the University of Florida in 1988. In his retired life he became interested in being involved in butterfly counts and protecting tracts of native, wild lands within our beautiful state of Florida.
