Page 10 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - April '22
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Page 10, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Northern Notes
Living With Sandhill Cranes Wildlife Code 68A-4.00(3). Why was this done? Cranes more vulnerable to predation by dogs or cats, especially
can become aggressive when fed by people. When they the young cranes. Occasionally, birds have been known to
By Katie Roundtree, are used to a free meal, they will continue to return and cause damage to property as a territorial defense behavior
Director of Finance and demand it when it is not offered. Cranes returning to a upon seeing their reflection in cars or window screens.
Administration, Northern yard where they have been fed are prone to injury by cars Pesticides in yards and urban areas can also be of concern
Palm Beach County as they cross the street to get to the yard. They are also as they forage for food in the ground.
Improvement District Look around and enjoy these beautiful birds as they
Sandhill cranes are interact within our Florida environment. Many of them
long-legged, long-necked can be found in the preserves and marshes in our area.
gray, heron-like birds with Give them their space if you come across them and be
a patch of red skin on their mindful of them crossing or walking in our roadways.
head. They are distinctive Finally, please do not feed them for the good of the cranes
looking birds standing and Florida’s delicate ecosystem. For more information,
almost 4-feet-tall and can please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
be seen near preserves and wetlands, in parking lots and Commission website at www.myfwc.com.
walking across roads oblivious to danger. They travel in NPDES tip: Safely use and dispose of pesticides. If all
small groups or pairs sometimes with young in tow. of the pesticide cannot be properly used, check with your
Two subspecies of sandhill crane occur in Florida. The solid waste management authority to find out when and
Florida sandhill crane (G. c. pratensis), numbering 4,000 where to properly dispose of this type of hazardous waste.
to 5,000, is a nonmigratory year-round breeding resident.
They are joined every winter by 25,000 migratory greater
sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida), the larger of the two La Posada Encourages Lifelong Learning
subspecies. The greater sandhill crane winters in Florida
but nests in the Great Lakes region.
Sandhill cranes Through Intergenerational Celebrations
mate for life and
attract mates using During National Reading Month
an elaborate dance.
These cranes nest
during late winter and “The more that you an open mind and
early spring on mats read, the more things trying new things.
of vegetation found in you will know. The more For the residents
shallow water such as that you learn, the more who participated,
preserves or marshes. places you’ll go” is a sharing stories
Sandhill chicks can quote from I Can Read w ith the
leave the nest as early with My Eyes Shut! - an kindergartners
as eight hours after iconic book by infamous children’s author Dr. Seuss. Since brought back
hatching and can swim 1921, the words of Dr. Seuss have inspired minds young m eani ngful
if necessary. Juveniles and old, and encouraged anyone and everyone to pick up memories of their own childhood, where reading Dr. Seuss
stay with their parent a book and read. books was a big part of learning, growing and discovering
from 9 to 10 months Despite his passing in 1991, Dr. Seuss’ legacy has a love for reading.
after hatching. continued to live on, inspiring National Reading Month, “I can’t think of a better way to have spent my morning,”
They have been created by the National Education Association. Recognized says Barbara Schaffer, resident of La Posada. “It was a
around for a very annually in March, National Reading Month is designated wonderful experience and brought back all the memories
long time. The first to celebrate and encourage a love of reading for all ages, of when I was a teacher and got to read books to young
known sandhill crane discovering new books and cherishing old classics. At La children.”
fossil was found in the Posada, a Kisco senior living community, residents are La Posada also provided each child in the kindergarten
Macasphalt Shell Pit in encouraged to engage in lifelong learning through various class with a copy of Oh the Places You’ll Go to encourage
Florida. It was estimated to be about 2.5 million years events and programs at the community all year long. the students to “Spring Forward with Books” as well as to
old. They are not endangered but due to loss of habitat, Recently, residents were given the opportunity to honor prompt them to explore their self-confidence and identity,
their populations can be of concern in certain areas. They National Reading Month in true “Seussical” fashion by keep an open mind and stay positive in the face of future
are attracted to open areas in urban settings such as golf observing Read Across America Day. adversity.
courses, parks in subdivisions and undeveloped land in Read Across America Day was launched in 1998 by “Reading regularly is vital for children’s development,”
commercial areas. the NEA as a way to encourage children to read. Since says Brad Cadiere, executive director of La Posada. “Not
Sandhill cranes are omnivores, which means that they its conception, the annual reading holiday has been held only do we want to encourage them to read, but we also
eat plants as well as small animals like snails, frogs, on March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. This year, the want to instill motivation on an impressionable generation
worms and grubs. They provide natural biological control La Posada wellness team organized an intergenerational to continue to read, learn and grow through all the places
for their grazing areas as they eat these common pests of celebration between residents and kindergarten students they’ll go.”
turf. Sandhill cranes have an abundance of natural foods from Marsh Pointe Elementary. Beyond Read Across America Day, residents of La Posada
and do not need handouts from humans. “Because Read Across are provided with a multitude of opportunities to learn within
People inadvertently put them in harm’s way when America Day promotes the community throughout the year. Each month, residents
feeding them, thinking that they are being kind. It is never and encouraging reading are given a wellness calendar that is stacked full of events
a good idea to feed wildlife. In fact, in 2002, the Florida for all ages, we wanted and programs that target various dimensions of wellness. In
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to celebrate it in a way March alone, residents were given the opportunity to attend
made it illegal to feed sandhill cranes (Florida Fish and that allowed multiple six different lectures that discuss a range of topics in current
generations to interact,” events and politics.
says Rick Minichino, wellness director at La Posada. “It “Our wellness team works to provide an environment
was great to see our residents so enthusiastic and eager to that encourages our residents to develop and continue
read to the young class.” to learn,” says Minichino. “We want our residents to be
On March 2, residents and associates of La Posada were intrinsically motivated, so we make sure to provide extensive
up bright and early and dressed in Cat In the Hat-like attire opportunities for them to read, have discussions and engage
to get into the true Dr. Seuss spirit. Conducted via Zoom, in activities that encourage them to continue to grow.”
residents of La Posada took turns reading an array of Dr. In addition to activities provided by the wellness team,
Seuss classics to the kindergarten class. Among the iconic residents of La Posada have access to a full computer
titles read was one of Dr. Seuss’s most notorious books, Oh center and an extensive library that equips residents with
the Places You’ll Go, known for its meaningful message all the resources they need to learn and discover on their
about the importance of seizing new opportunities, keeping own time.
“We hope to inspire our residents to commit to lifelong
learning,” says Cadiere. “It has proven extensive benefits
for overall health and wellbeing and allows our residents
to be more engaged with the world around them.”
If you are interested in learning more about life at
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing La Posada, join us for a special event in partnership
Palm Beach County and is a privately with Keller Williams on April 19 at 2:00pm. During
owned and managed company. the event, attendees will experience the award-winning
Captain’s is committed to providing
dependable, reliable and professional amenities and service that make La Posada special.
ground transportation to and from all For more information, please visit mylaposada.com
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 or call (561) 277.0660.
To reserve your vehicle:
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com Paid Advertisement