Caladesi Discovery
Center
The
Caladesi Discovery
Center (CDC) will be an open air, ADA compliant, interpretive facility
rising
from the old observation tower site at Caladesi Island State
Park. An observation deck at a height of approximately 25
feet
above
ground level will provide visitors a panoramic view of this undeveloped
barrier island. In addition to offering a magnificent bird’s
eye
view of the topography and plant communities of one of the last
undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the CDC will
provide hands-on exhibits where park guests will be able to investigate
aspects of Caladesi’s history, habitat and wildlife. At the
Caladesi Discovery Center every person will have an opportunity to
experience the nature of “Real Florida.”
Rich History
For thousands of years
before
European conquest and settlement, Native Americans thrived along
Florida’s coast. At Caladesi Island an ancient burial mound cloaked in
mangroves conveys evidence of their existence. In 1528 Spanish soldiers
first made contact with the indigenous people, the Tocobaga of Punta
Pinal, which we now call Pinellas. For the next three centuries,
Spanish, English, Caribbean and American soldiers, sailors and
fishermen utilized Caladesi as an anchorage stopover, as a site for
fish camps, and for hunting parties. In 1888 a Swiss immigrant, Henry
Scharrer, established a homestead on the island. His
daughter,
Myrtle, was born and grew up here and many years later penned
“Yesteryear, I Lived in Paradise,” an iconic memoir of life on a
Florida barrier island. Today, hundreds of thousands of visitors each
year enjoy the state park that was established in 1967. Be a
part
of the continuing story of Caladesi Island at the Caladesi Discover
Center.
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The Nature of
Caladesi
Caladesi Island provides
a
valuable glimpse into the “Real Florida.” Acres of mangrove
forest flourish. Beach, bayou, sand bars and grass flats are subject
only to the action of ocean tides and weather. Sea oats, Saw
palmetto, Southern red-cedar, Hercules’ club, and Grey knicker bean are
just a few of the interesting native plants that can be observed here
in naturally occurring plant communities. Ephemeral wildflowers include
Coral bean, Prickly-pear cactus, and Sky-blue lupine. The
island
is home to some of the oldest slash pines in Florida and to ancient
live oak trees draped in Resurrection Fern, Butterfly Orchids and
Spanish Moss.
Barrier islands are
constantly
changing in a centuries-old pattern of erosion and accretion. They play
a
critical role in the coastal geology of southwest Florida. Yet precious
few remain virtually undisturbed by development. Caladesi is one of the
last remaining barrier islands that look anything like they did before
European-Americans arrived here and began to alter their
landscape. Yet human activity has indeed played a hand in
Caladesi’s evolution. Many scientists believe the construction of
causeways from the mainland drastically altered the dynamics of local
barrier islands. Visitors to the Caladesi Discovery Center will learn
more about why the island habitat is critical to fish, plants,
shellfish, reptiles, birds, and humans, as well as how barrier islands
evolve over time and provide protection to the mainland in major storms.
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Fascinating Wildlife
Situated in the most
densely
populated county in Florida, Caladesi Island provides a critical
sanctuary for species endangered by development and competition from
humans. The threatened Gopher Tortoise thrives here, as do
species of snakes, insects, and crustaceans that have been displaced
elsewhere. Owls and Osprey build nests and tend to their
young.
Year round resident as well as migratory birds use Caladesi’s forests,
wrack lines, sandbars and scrub for respite and sustenance.
Caladesi’s beach is critical to shorebirds for resting and nesting and
to sea turtles as well. The mangrove and sea grass beds are essential
nurseries for shellfish, mollusks and fish. Dolphin and Manatee are
some of the large sea creatures that shelter in Caladesi waters.
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