Now You Know: ‘Giving Back – A Repatriation Story’

The Southwest Florida Archaeological Society (SWFAS) recently announced a presentation on “Giving Back – A Repatriation Story.”

The presentation will be at 7 p.m., April 17, at the Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples. This is a free public program. 

In January 2024, following decades of institutional complacency and Indigenous advocacy, the Department of the Interior adopted new regulations for the return, protection, and exhibition of Native American Ancestral remains, funerary belongings, sacred items, and objects of cultural patrimony housed at institutions across the United States.

Major museums such as Chicago’s Field Museum and the American Museum of Natural History in New York closed galleries, and universities are hiring specialized staff to meet the regulations' timelines. Drawing on her experiences repatriating Ancestral remains and significant cultural belongings back to their communities of origin in the United States and abroad, archaeologist Theresa Schober explores what these new regulations mean in practice and how US legislation dovetails with conversations about the return of cultural belongings and decolonizing practices in museums globally.

Schober collaborates with Indigenous communities to facilitate sharing, understanding, and preservation of their history and culture. She supports repatriation and rematriation of Ancestral remains and cultural belongings to First Nations through curatorial practice.

Dates set for season’s final two Friday Fakahatchee Tram Tours

The ‘Ghost Rider’ tram, named in honor of the famous Ghost Orchid found in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, will mark its final two tours of the season on March 29 and April 12.

The Friends of Fakahatchee hosted more than 200 riders on the tram this season, allowing visitors to experience the Fakahatchee Preserve and learn about its importance to the fragile ecosystem of the Western Everglades.

An experienced guide leads each 2.5-hour tram tour and points out interesting aspects of the park. The tram travels past a wet prairie and stops at a slough to give visitors a window into the strand. It includes the opportunity to take a guided 15-minute walk down an old logging path to see numerous air plants, a variety of ferns, and seasonally blooming orchids.

The Ghost Rider Tram Tour begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. For complete information and required reservations at $30 per person, visit orchidswamp.org and click “tours and events.”

FWC: Now accepting applications for the annual School Fishing Club Program grant

The application period is now open for the FWC’s School Fishing Club Program. This annual educational program focuses on teaching youth anglers about best fishing practices to help ensure the future of fishing in Florida.

Each participating club will be provided with program curriculum and educational materials to be taught throughout the school year by the club sponsor. The curriculum is comprised of lessons and activities on ethical angling, conservation, Florida’s aquatic habitats, basic fishing gear, and general fishing concepts, and is applicable to both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Additionally, at least one conservation project activity must be completed each school year and is an opportunity for clubs to earn points for a chance to win prizes.

To apply for the grant and register for the School Fishing Club program, interested club sponsors will need to complete a Florida R3 Fishing Grant application, which is funded by the FWC’s Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Coastal Conservation Association and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

This grant will award up to 50 school fishing clubs or teams $500 each to assist with club expenses, such as gear for participants or the purchase of fishing licenses for students over 16 years old.

The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams at public, private and charter schools throughout Florida. To be considered for the grant, school fishing clubs or teams must submit a minimum of five student pre-surveys, one conservation project outline and be represented by a school faculty member or parent.

The FWC moved the application period for the program to earlier in the year so each school will receive materials and grant funding sooner. The grant application period is open now until May 17, but grant funding is not required to participate in the School Fishing Club Program. All selected grant applications will be announced Aug. 16.

The deadline for submitting applications is May 17. The application can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC by scrolling down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.” Applicants can complete the form online or download the application to submit by email.

Email completed applications to R3Fishing@MyFWC.com.

Collier 100 Club receives donation

The Collier County 100 Club, a non-profit organization whose mission is to financially assist first responders and their families in times of tragedy, announced that it has received a $2,088 donation from Mission BBQ Naples. The funds were generated through the restaurant’s Hometown Heroes cup sales.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude for Mission BBQ Naples’ ongoing and generous support with their most recent contribution from the proceeds of their Hometown Heroes cup sales,” said Russell Budd, President of the Collier County 100 Club.

“Mission BBQ Naples’ commitment to the community, specifically Collier County 100 Club, helps us carry out our mission of helping our first responders in times of need and tragedy, given the ever-increasing demands placed on them, our community, and our organization.”

MoreNow You Know: Author White at MIHM; author Karl visits Book Club

And‘Watts for Dinner’: The Crazy Flamingo – Great food, insanely-good prices