The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding boaters to be extra cautious and obey manatee speed zone signs as they head out on the state's waterways during the Labor Day weekend.

During warm weather, manatees move throughout Florida's estuaries and rivers. Boaters can help keep manatees safe by following a few simple guidelines.

"We ask boaters to stay in marked channels, wear polarized sunglasses to improve visibility below the water surface and obey posted boat-speed zones," said Kipp Frohlich, leader of the FWC's Imperiled Species Management section. "Using poles, paddles or trolling motors when in close proximity to manatees and having someone onboard scan the water when under way can go a long way to protecting manatees from harm."

Boaters should scan the water near or in front of the boat – looking for a repetitive line of half-moon swirls – sometimes called a manatee footprint – or a trail or a snout or fluke (tail) breaking the water's surface.

"Manatee protection is a high priority for the FWC," said Carol Knox, manatee management plan coordinator. "We are committed to conservation actions that reduce the number of human-caused manatee deaths."

Enforcement of manatee protection zones and efforts to inform boaters about manatee conservation also is a priority for the FWC's law enforcement officers.

Besides slowing down, obeying speed zones and following the FWC's recommendations, residents can purchase a manatee specialty license plate. The funds collected for these plates go directly into manatee research and conservation.

As of Aug. 20, 58 manatees have died in 2010 from watercraft strikes.

If you see a manatee in distress or a dead manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). For more information about manatees, go to MyFWC.com/Manatee.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds anglers that the harvest season for snook in Florida, which usually opens on Sept. 1, will remain closed through Sept. 16. The FWC issued an executive order in January that temporarily closed harvest seasons for snook statewide to protect snook populations affected by prolonged cold weather in Florida earlier this year.

The FWC recently extended this order to enable FWC Commissioners to hear a report by staff at their Sept. 2 public meeting in Pensacola Beach regarding the latest information on the status of the snook population. They will also receive public input and determine whether to reopen the fall harvest season or continue to prohibit harvest and possession of snook as a precautionary measure, and consider a range of snook management options covering the next 12 months.

While the temporary harvest prohibition remains in effect, no person may harvest or possess snook in state or federal waters off Florida. The FWC may reopen the fishery, if warranted, before the order expires or, if necessary, the agency may extend the closure by issuing another executive order.

Anglers may still catch and release snook during the closure, and the FWC encourages everyone to handle and release these fish carefully to help ensure their survival upon release.

More information regarding this issue is available online from the agenda for the Sept. 1-3 meeting at MyFWC.com/Commission.

This bear, killed by a vehicle on April 23 in Jefferson Co., is the third-largest on record in Florida.

The FWC will hold public meetings to gather input on the plan in several locations around the state. The first meeting was held on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. in Apalachicola City Hall. Other meeting dates will be announced as arrangements are finalized.

"The plan proposes a framework to manage bears at the local level," said Dave Telesco, the FWC's bear management coordinator. "This includes conserving appropriate amounts of bear habitat, stabilizing the level of complaints about bears, and securing adequate funding to implement the plan.

FWC staff drafted the Bear Management Plan with assistance from a technical advisory group that included representatives from environmental, hunting and government organizations.

The Florida black bear is a state-threatened species whose populations are expanding in some areas while still quite restricted in others. Because of this variability, the plan proposes to create several Bear Management Units, which will consider the specific challenges and characteristics of the different geographical locations.

The plan sets up broad objectives under which each Bear Management Unit would operate. Within those units, local stakeholder groups will work with the FWC to set management objectives and standards for resolving human-bear conflicts. If the plan is accepted, the next stage would be to seek out stakeholders to participate in advisory groups within each Bear Management Unit. At the meetings, the FWC will give a brief presentation outlining the plan objectives and answer questions from attendees. Anyone interested in making statements about the plan at the meeting will be able to do so verbally or through written comment cards.

"We encourage the public and local governments to help us improve this draft and develop the final plan," Telesco said. "Feedback is essential to make this plan effective."

The draft plan is available online for public review and comment through Oct. 1. To see the draft plan, or more information on Florida black bears, go to MyFWC.com/Bear.

The National Goat Conference provides detailed industry information.

The objective of the three-day conference is to provide information, enhance awareness, and develop national linkages in order to strengthen the goat and sheep industry. The program will focus on relevant topics facing producers, researchers, regulators, extension and teaching personnel.

Topics relating to goat and sheep health, nutrition, management, economics, regulatory issues and more will be presented by speakers from across the nation.

For registration information, visit famu.edu/goats and click on National Goat Conference.

You may also contact Joy Dixon at (850) 875-8555 or email joy1.dixon@famu.edu.

The newest teachers at MCCS are: Front row left to right; Lyndsay Morrison, fifth grade support facilitation; Elizabeth Gooden, middle school Paraprofessional; Valerie Bass, Pre-K Parprofessional; Yolanda Smith-Haynes, Assistant Principal; Linda Ledyard, RTI Facilitator; Charla Walker, first grade; Mania Simonelli, second grade; Rich Caisse, eighth grade math and Melinda King, ESE Kindergarten. Back row from left to right; Carnesha Milton, fourth grade math and science; Tresca Alexander, Pre-K; Forrest Murssey, eighth grade language arts; Michelle Kellum, middle grades ESE; Lesli Vester, second grade; Kara Lipscomb, Pre-K; Megan Dickey; sixth grade and Kristen Page, fifth grade.

The 6-month-old cub, its two siblings and mother were regular visitors to unsecured trash containers in a small community near Weirsdale, in the Ocala National Forest. One day in late July, FWC dispatch got a call from one of the residents concerned about a cub running around with a clear, industrial-size plastic jar stuck on its head. The jar made it almost impossible for the cub to eat or drink.

The FWC's Mike Orlando, Brian Scheick and Cathy Connolly, and Mike Connolly, a bear-response agent for the agency, knew that if they didn't catch the cub, affectionately dubbed "Jarhead," it would die, so they developed a plan to trap it.

"It was a lot easier said than done," Orlando said. "The residents were really great about calling us when they saw the bears, but it seemed like we were always about 20 minutes behind."

The team set traps in different areas, hoping to catch the mother and tranquilize her, which would then allow them to catch the cubs. Unfortunately, the good mother bear refused to be tricked by the baited trap.

After eight days of sightings, two days went by when nobody saw the bear family. The team feared the cub may have finally succumbed to his condition. Ironically, the day the team resigned to pull the traps and head home, Orlando got a call from FWC dispatch. A resident had called to report the bear family was back. The team rushed back to the community.

Orlando found the mother and was able to shoot her with a tranquilizer dart. Then Orlando and Scheick literally caught the cubs by surprise and managed to grab Jarhead. But the tough little bear lived up to its U.S. Marine moniker and did not give up without a fight.

Eventually, they subdued the cub long enough to get the jar off its head, and then let it go to rejoin its siblings. The team, with the help of some concerned residents, placed the mother bear's sleeping body in a trap, and eventually the cubs joined her.

After observing the family overnight in the trap, and making sure it was able to nurse, biologists released the family in a nearby, less populated area.

Although the story appears to have a happy ending, it truly illustrates one of the worst things that can happen when wildlife gets into garbage.

To date, the FWC has not gotten any further reports of the bear family. And that's good news indeed.

When someone mentions spiders, do you think of scary books parents read to little children about the creepy, crawly, eight-legged creatures? But spiders aren't that scary when you learn more about them. They actually do good things by helping control pesky biting flies like mosquitoes. And, while all spiders can bite and have venom, only a few Florida spiders are harmful if they bite you.

A common Florida spider seen during the summer is the golden silk spider. This large and amazing spider has a long, yellowish body with tufts of black hair at the joints of its long legs. Although they may look scary, golden silk spiders are not dangerous. They can still bite, but usually they scurry off to hide when their web is disturbed.

The golden silk spider hangs face-down in the center of her web, waiting for unsuspecting prey (flies, beetles, grasshoppers, wood moths and other flying insects) to get stuck so she can have her next meal. Yes, the large spider in the center is the female who made the web. If you look closely, you may see several smaller spiders in her web. They are males hoping to get her attention.

Golden silk spiders belong to the orb-weaver family. It is called an orb-weaver because its web is round. The unique thing about these spiders is the silk they spin to make their webs. It looks like gold thread and shimmers in the sunlight. Golden silk spider silk is also very strong. So strong, that native people in tropical countries mat and twist the webs to make strong bags and fishing nets.

Recently a group of people in Madagascar – an island in the Indian Ocean southeast of Africa – collected more than 1 million golden silk spiders and carefully extracted their silk before returning them to the wild. They wove the silk into a beautiful golden rug. It took four years to make because collecting and weaving spider silk is a very difficult process. The techniques they used to make the rug were developed more than 100 years ago.

Finding these spiders is easy. Join the Get Outdoors Florida! movement and search for the golden silk spiders and their beautiful, large webs by looking between tree branches, along woodsy hiking paths and across empty doorways. Because the webs are large and bright, they are easy to spot and can be seen throughout the day.

Make up a creative story about the spider you find. What is she thinking? What is her day like? Can you count how many bugs she has caught in her web? Can you draw a picture of her?

To learn more about the golden silk spider, visit MyFWC.com /Learning or www.ifas.ufl.eduu. Also, to view the textile created using the silk of the golden silk spider, visit www.amnh.org and type "spider silk" in the search box. Be sure to visit the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center's website - BTYCC.org - and discover the outdoors! Learn about youth activities such as fishing, shooting sports, hiking, viewing wildlife and seasonal hunting on the impoundments, fields and forests of the conservation center.

Jessica.Basham@MyFWC.com

Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission

Smokey the Bear, an animated, talking bear created as the mascot of the United States Forest Service in 1944 to educate the public on the dangers of forest fires, preached his first message of "Only YOU can prevent forest fires" in 1947. Commercials with Smokey the Bear generally showed cartoon animals scurrying away from fire with their homes being destroyed, and the land being devastated. This nationwide campaign called for the prevention of forest fires. But Smokey the Bear didn't tell us what wildlife biologists and foresters knew - that fire was a naturally-occurring phenomenon in woodland management.

Today, we've learned that the dreaded fires Smokey the Bear preached against are one of the most-effective tools to clean-up litter off the forest floor, cause germination and regrowth of native plants and open-up the understory of the forest. Then the forest can receive sunlight and create an abundance of food, cover and habitat for wildlife. Fire is one of the best tools to use to increase food and cover for deer on any property. So, in 2001, Smokey the Bear's message changed to, "Only you can prevent wildfires."

The changing philosophy of Smokey the Bear from preventing all forest fires to stopping uncontrolled forest fires is much the same as the changing philosophy for deer management. For many years, the primary rule of deer management was, "If you shoot the does, you won't have any bucks." Today, because of more-modern techniques and newer knowledge, the rule is "To keep many deer herds in balance, take a prescribed number of does."

A prescribed burn on a certain area of the woodlot you hunt each year drastically can increase the amount of native foods that deer and other wildlife and turkeys and birds have to eat. I've seen wild turkeys out in a burned field scratching in the ashes for seeds the fire has exposed, while smoke curls-up around them from the smoldering embers.

As soon as a rain falls on the burned area, those new seeds will sprout and begin to grow in the nutrient-rich soil that's been produced from the burn. Those tender young shoots and grasses that come up are to deer and turkeys like ice cream and popsicles are to children. The plants will grow and continue to produce more food for wildlife and birds and provide bedding cover for deer, nesting cover for turkeys and quail and an abundance of food for rabbits and others.

If Smokey the Bear can change his philosophy after 50 years of preaching the same message, then you and I can learn to change our viewpoints on deer management. In my book, "How to Manage Native Plants for Deer," I explain how a controlled burn on 1/3 of the property you hunt each year can increase the carrying capacity of the land for deer and turkeys, provide better habitat for all species and enable you to produce more and bigger bucks each season.

You'll get free daily information on controlled burning, the value of native plants for wildlife and much more when you visit my website, www.jwaynefears.com. You also can see outdoor photos and learn daily tips, as well as view daily videos on outdoor subjects that will help you become a better hunter, woodsman and land manager.

Sometime in the early morning hours Tuesday, a female panther was struck by a vehicle on State Road 29 near Immokalee in Collier County. A passing motorist saw the injured animal on the side of the road, and in less than an hour biologists and a law enforcement officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were on the scene performing triage and assessing the condition of the panther.

"She was alive and responsive," said Darrell Land, FWC panther team leader. "We immobilized the animal and transported her to Golden Gate Animal Clinic in Naples, where veterinarian John Lanier discovered she was pregnant and carrying at least three mid-term kittens."

After the panther was stabilized, Erin Myers, a veterinarian with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Mark Lotz, a member of the FWC's panther team, transported her to the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, where veterinarians announced some good and some bad news. The panther would survive; however, the unborn kittens did not survive the trauma from the accident.

Land said that without a doubt the panther had been hit by a vehicle in an area where other panthers have been killed when struck by vehicles. This panther will survive, but others have not been so fortunate. Fourteen panthers have died so far this year on Florida roadways.

"When traveling in panther country between dusk and dawn, it is extremely important that motorists drive with caution," Land said. "Panthers are active during this time, and these roads go right through their habitat."

The panther population has increased steadily since the 1980s, when the population had dwindled to 20-30. Its increase to a current estimate of at least 100 is a success story, but one tempered with the knowledge that an increasing population means more opportunity for vehicle collisions. The natural expansion of the panther population means that panther sightings may start to increase throughout Florida, however, the majority of the population still resides south of Lake Okeechobee.

Land urges motorists to report injured or dead panthers to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

The injured panther will be taken to White Oak Plantation, a private wildlife conservation center in North Florida, where she will remain until ready to be released back into the wild.

There are several ways to help the Florida panther. The Wildlife Foundation of Florida established a fund to aid in the recovery of injured or orphaned Florida panthers as well as other conservation needs. This fund goes directly to the FWC to assist with rare and unanticipated events. To donate, go to www.wildlifeflorida.org and click on "Programs." Panther research and management funding comes directly from the additional fees collected when individuals purchase the "Protect the Florida panther" specialty license plate. Money also goes to law enforcement to increase patrols in the areas where panthers reside in South Florida. To purchase a specialty license plate, visit www.buyaplate.com.

"We can all assist with helping the panther survive," Land said. "Buy a specialty plate to help fund research, management and enforcement or make a donation to the foundation. Most of all, slow down in panther territory. All of that will benefit Florida's state animal, the endangered panther."

To find out more about the Florida panther, visit www.floridapanthernet.org.

Summer provides ample opportunity for children to develop a love of nature. Every time they get outdoors and connect a little more with nature, it helps them develop healthier, happier and smarter lifestyles and appreciation for conservation. Whether they visit a fishing pond, climb a tree, help in the garden, go swimming or tubing, or explore a park or wooded lot, it gets them outside to participate in active pursuits.

When Richard Louv published "Last Child in the Woods – Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder" in 2005, it spurred a global movement led by the Children and Nature Network to accomplish just that. In Florida, Get Outdoors Florida! is both the initiative and coalition, with the goal of helping parents and families find fun ways to lead healthier, more-natural lifestyles and to better appreciate our resources. Visit GetOutdoorsFlorida.org for places to go and tips on fun activities. You can also learn more about the benefits or how to make a contribution.

Ever since the oil-drilling platform, Deepwater Horizon, exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, setting off one of the largest ecological disasters in American history, Floridians have been reconsidering how critical a conservation ethic is to our quality of life.

It is important that parents be able to communicate with their children at an appropriate age level about catastrophes of all types as well as the importance of nurturing nature. Ranger Rick (NWF.org/ Kids/Ranger Rick) provides some excellent tips.

The FWC continues to work diligently with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, county governments, water management districts and several federal agencies, to conduct wildlife assessments and to protect Florida's wildlife populations throughout this crisis. This includes taking water samples and testing for contaminants in sediments, fish and shellfish, and evaluating critical habitat and shorebird and sea turtle nesting areas.

Gov. Charlie Crist requested and received a determination from the U.S. Department of Commerce that some of Florida's vital fisheries have failed. This enables fishermen and affected businesses to qualify for economic injury loans. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service has enacted emergency regulations to close a portion of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone to all fishing, and the FWC has issued local fisheries advisories. Since these are subject to change, please see MyFWC.com/Oil Spill for updates.

In spite of all this, Florida remains the Fishing Capital of the World, with most of our saltwater fisheries and all of our freshwater fisheries still providing diverse, year-round, nature-based recreation to Floridians and tourists. Help keep it that way by taking a kid fishing, buying a license and contributing to youth fishing/hunting programs when you make your purchase (MyFWC .com/License). All of your license fees go to conservation, and donations go specifically to youth fishing and hunting programs in Florida.

The FWC is working aggressively to protect and restore fish and wildlife species and their habitats and to reconnect children with nature, since the ultimate solution to such ecological crises will be in their hands. Floridians should care about and be able to enjoy our natural resources in ways that our forebears did to preserve not only our sporting heritage, but also Florida's diverse natural wildlife and the aesthetics that drive the real estate economy, tourism and our sense of being.

Education and opportunity are the key. When children or adults get outdoors more frequently they achieve healthier, happier and smarter lifestyles (see childrenandnature.org for details) and understand how fragile and interconnected our environment is.

The President's "America's Great Outdoors Initiative" (www. DOI.gov/AmericasGreatOutdoors) and First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move Outside" program (www.LetsMove.gov/Outsidede) are national efforts that contribute to preserving and enjoying our natural heritage, combating obesity and creating a brighter future for our children. Together we can keep Florida a beautiful place for children, fish and wildlife to grow together as nature always intended.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com /License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or 888-404-3922. Visit MyFWC.com/Fish ing for more Fish Busters' columns.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering alligator hunters no-cost, three-hour classes to help them prepare for the Aug. 15 – Nov. 1 statewide alligator harvest. Reservations are not required to attend a class.

Attendance is not mandatory for licensed hunters, but the FWC recommends that participants attend, especially if they have not previously hunted for alligators. Class topics include preparing for the hunt, hunting techniques and safety, harvesting and processing, caring for your alligator hide and alligator hunting rules and regulations. Also, persons who do not have an alligator harvest permit can attend if they want to learn what hunting alligators is all about.

Classes will be offered at the following locations:

July 31 (Saturday), 1-4 p.m., Dania Beach, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way. For directions, call 954-922-4212 or visit http://www.igfa.org.

Aug. 4 (Wednesday), 6-9 p.m., Gainesville, Paramount Plaza Hotel and Suites, 2900 S.W. 13th St. For directions call 352-377-4000 or visit http://www.paramountplaza.com.

Aug. 7 (Saturday), 1-4 p.m., Bradenton, Bradenton Municipal Auditorium, 1005 Barcarrota Blvd. For directions, visit http://bradenton.govoffice.com/index.asp and click on "Public Facilities" in the left column menu.

Aug. 8 (Sunday), 2-5 p.m., Okeechobee, Okeechobee County Civic Center, 1750 U.S. Hwy 98 North. For directions call 863-462-5195.

Alligator trapping "agent" permits are available for $52. Agent permits enable permit holders to assist a licensed trapper in taking alligators.

For more information on these exciting alligator hunts, visit MyFWC.com/gators and click "Statewide Hunts."