FWC sets up trail cameras for online viewing
The Everglades Wildlife Watch is a new Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) volunteer program and participatory science project based in south Florida, hosted on the Zooniverse platform. It’s focused on improving understanding of wildlife patterns on the FWC’s wildlife management area system and combines in-the-field volunteering with online participation to give us a region-wide idea of the species that call south Florida home.
Throughout the region’s 17 wildlife management/wildlife and environmental areas, volunteers are setting and maintaining trail cameras. As those cameras collect photos, the images are uploaded to the Everglades Wildlife Watch Zooniverse project, where anyone can get online and classify photos. Once photos are analyzed and the wildlife has been identified, the data is sent to area biologists so they can better manage wildlife management areas. The results will also be uploaded to the interactive Data Dashboard, where visitors can see what kind of wildlife has been spotted on FWC cameras around the region and learn more about each species.
To access the cameras, see www.Zooniverse.org/Projects/FWC/Everglades-Wildlife-Watch
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
April 27 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and is a way for people to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at locations in communities across the United States in a convenient, safe and responsiblemanner.
In Plant City, the city will be involved, set up outside of the CVS drugstore, 2302 James L. Redman Pkwy. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will be collecting any unused prescription drugs. Those are then delivered to the Drug Enforcement Administration which will dispose of the drugs properly. For information, see www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/takeback.html#:~:text=The%2026th%20National%20Prescription%20Drug,potential%20for%20abuse%20of%20medications.
Mike Smith of the City’s Information Technology Department retires
Mike Smith retired from the city’s IT department April 5. On Facebook, the City of Plant City cited his “exemplary dedication and commitment” during his 28-year tenure with the City.
“We are deeply grateful for his tremendous service to Plant City,” the City stated.
Blueberry picking party
Plant City’s Wish Farms, 1301 S. Frontage Road, will be the site of a blueberry picking party 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Toward the end of the season, Wish Farms opens select strawberry and blueberry fields to the public, as well as local area food banks and other community organizations, to pick fresh berries. Non-profit affiliated attendees pick for free and the general public pays a small fee which is donated to a sponsored charity.
Guests should enter at the “Semi-Truck” entrance and drive straight back through the gates and park on the lawn Pricing is $5 per pound u-pick. Visitors should bring their own containers to take berries home Wish Farms will provide buckets for picking only. For information, see wishfarms.com/berry-u-picks/ or call (813) 752-5111.
Rodeo wrangles in April 12, 13
The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds will host the Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival.
Gates at the fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover, open at 5 p.m. each day and some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the southeast region will saddle up for a full rodeo with bull riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, calf roping, team roping and bull dogging ,
There will be a Family Festival featuring live music, food and entertainment activities for the family.
Emmet Stevens Jr. takes the stage in the Bartow Ford Beer Barn each night playing country music hits. There will also be a mechanical bull to fide, axe throwing, monster truck rides, camels and elephants and the chance to take pictures with snakes, monkeys and a giant hay wall. Additionally, there will be free games and giant slide.
For information, see www.hillsboroughcountyfair.com or call 813) 737-3247