Dry Tortugas National Park Guide

8/9/2019 Dry Tortugas National Park Guide

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Dry Tortugas National Park NewsThe ofcial newspaper o Dry Tortugas National ParkVolume 3, Number 1

National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

FOR THOSE SEEKING ADVENTURE, Dry TortugasNational Park has much to oer. The Tortugas lie at thearthest end o the Florida Keys, closer to Cuba than theAmerican mainland. To reach this remote ocean wildernessone must travel by boat or plane over 68 nautical miles oopen sea. Visiting such an isolated place means that you needto be prepared, not only or rough seas, but or primitiveconditions. All power is generated on site, cisterns collectrainwater, and waste must be hauled away by boat. There areno public phones, restrooms or snack bars. Even cell phonesare useless here. Make sure to bring anything that you mayneed, such as protective clothing, sunscreen, or medication(especially or motion sickness). You will not be able to pur-chase these items in the park.

A place like no otherDry Tortugas National Park, home to history and naturalwonders above and below the waters surace, has long beenan inspiration to visitors. The parks coral and sea grass com-munities are among the most vibrant in the Florida Keys. TheSooty Tern nds its only regular U.S. nesting site on Bush Key,adjacent to Fort Jeerson. Large sea turtles lumber onto theparks protected beaches each summer to bury their clutcheso eggs. These and other wonders make Dry Tortugas

National Park truly a oneoakind place.

An undersea wonderlandUnderwater creatures whirl in a kaleidoscope o bright, gaudycolors. Here creatures like the queen conch, the aptlynamed

brain coral, and endangered sea turtle coexist, interconnectedin their plight to survive. Coral ormations shelter dozens ocolorul sh just a short swim rom Dry Tortugas beaches. Awalk along the orts moat wall provides ample opportunityto see an assortment o marine creatures thriving in sea grassmeadows. Sea grasses are vital to the neighboring corals as

they block polluting sediments rom reaching these livinganimals. This community is also a haven or conches, sea stars,clams, stingrays, and many kinds o young sh that nd shelterand ood among the long eshy blades o grass.

Remote park is rich in history and nature

continued on page 2

STAND IN THE SAND! NEVER STAND ON CORAL OR SEAGRASS

Many coral rees in the park are protected in the ResearchNatural Area - see page 7 or details.

Whats inside:

Guardian o the Gul 2

Things to do 3

Exploring Garden Key 4

Good places to snorkel 5

Is there a doctor in the ort? 5

A view rom above 6

New ecological preserve 7

Eco-Discovery Center 8

Bookstore 8

Map o Garden Key 4

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BUSHKEYSHOALVISITOR

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PicnicareaPrimitivecampgroundCampgroundtoiletsVisibleruin

GardenKeyandFortJefferson

NorthCoalingDockruins

South CoalingDockruins

SeaplaneBeach

GardenKey

Bush Key*

LongKey*

SouthSwimBeach

(No boats)Seesnorkeling tipsandregulationson page 5

North SwimBeach

Coralheads

DinghyBeach

Dockhouse

BoatPier

Moat

SNORKELAR EA

GARDENKEY

BU SHKEY

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Moat

Dr.MuddCell

PowderMagazine

ParkHeadquarters

Lincoln

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1825Lighthousefoundations

SoldiersBarracksruins

Shot Furnace

OfficersQuartersruins

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BakeryChapel(2ndtier)

*Bush KeyandLongKeyareclosedto publicaccess

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2 D R Y T O R T U G A S N A T I O N A L P A R K N E W S

Fort Jeerson was built to protect one othe most strategic deepwater anchoragesin North America. By ortiying thisspacious harbor, the United States

maintained an important advance postor ships patrolling the Gul o Mexicoand the Straits o Florida. Nestledwithin the islands and shoals that makeup the Dry Tortugas, the harbor oeredships the chance to re-supply or seekreuge rom storms.

The location o the Tortugas along oneo the worlds busiest shipping lanes wasits greatest military asset. Though pass-ing ships could easily avoid the largest

o Fort Jeersons guns, they could notavoid the warships that used its harbor.

In enemy hands, the Tortugas wouldhave threatened the heavy ship trafcthat passed between the Gul Coast(including New Orleans, Mobile andPensacola) and the eastern seaboard othe United States. It could also serve asa potential staging area, or springboard,or enemy orces. From here they couldlaunch an attack virtually anywhere

along the Gul Coast.

Poised to protect this valuable harborwas one o the largest orts ever built.Nearly thirty years in the making (18461875), Fort Jeerson was never nishednor ully armed. Yet it was a vital linkin a chain o coastal orts that stretchedrom Maine to Caliornia. Fort Jeerson,the most sophisticated o these, was abrilliant and undeniable symbol that the

United States wanted to be let alone.

Though never attacked, the ort ullledits intended role. It helped to protect thepeace and prosperity o a young nation.

Abandoned by the Army in 1874, theort was later used as a coaling stationor warships. Though used briey duringboth world wars, the orts nal chapteras Guardian o the Gul had long since

closed.

Fort Jeferson - Guardian o the Gul

Spanish explorer Ponce de Lendiscovers and names the Tortugas(Spanish or turtle)

Naturalist John James Audubonobserves bird and marine lie inthe Dry Tortugas

U.S. Army Corps o Engineersbegins construction o FortJeerson on Garden Key

Start o the Civil War; Unionsoldiers stationed at Fort Jeersonor frst time

Rodman cannons on terreplein level o Fort Jeerson, 1890s.

The Garden Key lighthouse was built atopFort Jeerson in the 1870s. It is made oiron, as a brick lighthouse would becomea vulnerable target during enemy

bombardment.

A birds eye viewThe seven tiny islands o Dry Tortugasare a vital layover or migrating birdstraveling between South America andthe U.S. and Canada. Here you may nda rubythroated hummingbird, broad-winged hawk and white-eyed vireo allin one tree! Nearly 300 species o birdshave been spotted here. Spring is theoptimal time to view birds, but any sea-son oers the chance to see somethingunique. Even the untrained eye is easilyimpressed by the sevenoot wingspano the magnicent rigatebird, oten

seen riding the thermals above the ortsharbor light.

Visitors between the months oFebruary and September will also havethe opportunity to watch in awe asthousands o sooty terns soar aboveBush Key. Their raucous calls warnoutsiders to stay clear o guardedchicks.

Paradise lost?The view o this subtropical landscapecan be deceptive. While its beauty

is stunning, some o the parks mosttreasured wonders are at risk. Fragilecoral ormations, displaying hundredso years o growth, can be destroyedin seconds by a carelessly placed boatanchor or snorkel n. Water pollutionand sediments, rom land or boats,muddy the clear waters that sustain therees. Nonnative plants and animalsinterere with natural processes. Gullsthat once migrated seasonally are nowsustained yearround at Garden Key,only to prey on sooty tern nests andchicks.

What you can do to helpWe invite you to join us in the challengeto protect the great marine wildernesso the Dry Tortugas. Heres what youcan do to help your national park:

Please abide by all park regulations. I you snorkel, do not touch or stand

on corals or seagrasses. Stay out o closed areas. Remove all trash, and protect your

ood rom wildlie. Be sae - its a long way to a hospital!

Remote park is rich in history and nature continued rom page 1

1513 1846 18611832

Park history


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D R Y T O R T U G A S N A T I O N A L P A R K N E W S 3

Visitor CenterInormation, exhibits, anorientation video, and educationalsales items are available. TheVisitor Center is open daily.

Touring Fort JeersonOne o the great pleasures o anyvisit to the park is the chance toexplore Fort Jeerson. Daily 45minute guided tours are oered bythe commercial erry operators.You can also take a selguidingwalking tour by ollowing the signseaturing a Civil War soldier.

Junior Ranger

A Dry Tortugas National ParkJunior Ranger program isavailable. Recommended ages 8-13.Stop by the Visitor Center or yourree copy o the Junior RangerHandbook.

SnorkelingA designated snorkel area islocated near the campground.Snorkeling along the outside o themoat wall or around the pilings o

the south coaling dock isrecommended.

Beore snorkeling, make sure thatall equipment ts properly. Thereare no lie guards on duty, so swimat your own risk. Sea urchins andsome jellysh can sting - beware!No swimming or snorkeling ispermitted inside the moat.

Make sure never to touch or standon coral. Carelessness can destroyyears o coral growth in seconds.Seagrass beds are a nursery orsmall sh and marine lie. Pleasekeep o. Stand in the sand -neveron coral or seagrass!

FishingSport shing is permitted incertain areas o the park - see ParkRegulations site bulletin and p. 7or more inormation. Lobstering

and spear shing are prohibited inthe park. Florida state shing lawsand regulations also apply. Floridashing license is required (availablein Key West).

Walking the moat wallThe moat wall oers an easyhike (0.6 miles) around the ort.Walking the moat wall is a greatopportunity to view coral, sh, andother marine lie.

BoatingPrivate boaters can visit the park.Nautical charts are sold at thepark's Visitor Center and in KeyWest. Inormation is obtainablerom the Key West U.S. CoastGuard Station, the Chamber oCommerce, and the Charter BoatAssociation. Boaters should beaware o the possibility o veryrough seas. Check with a ranger orrules on docking and mooring.

Bird watchingThe Dry Tortugas are renownedor spring bird migrations andtropical bird species. Stop bythe Visitor Center or a ree DryTortugas Bird Checklist.

Things to doGetting startedWhen you rst arrive, place your toweland personal gear beneath a tree or neara picnic table. A limited number o picnictables are available outside o Fort Jeerson.

Please be considerate and share these tableswith others. No ood, drinks or trash arepermitted inside Fort Jeerson. It is illegalto eed or harass wildlie.

RestroomsAll resh water at Dry Tortugas is createdthrough a combination o rainwater anddesalinization. Due to the resourcesrequired to create resh water in this remotearea, drinking water and public restroomsare not available. All park visitors are

required to use the acilities on thecommercial erry boats. Ater 2:30 PM,composting toilets are available in thecampground. These specially designedtoilets require no water or chemicals, andcan only take a small number o users. Theyare very ragile - dont put trash in them.

Collecting is prohibitedPlease help us protect the park. Do notremove seashells, coral, sand, brick, glass,stone, metal, or any other natural or historic

objects. Never move or disturb artiacts. Iyou nd an artiact, contact park sta.

Closed areasThere are clearly marked areas in the parkthat are closed to the public. For yoursaety, please abide by all park regulations.The interior o the ort is open duringdaylight hours only.

Hospital, Bush and Long Keys are closedyear round. East Key (open only as posted)and Loggerhead Key are open duringdaylight hours only.

PetsPets must be on a leash and under physicalcontrol at all times. Pets are not allowedinside Fort Jeerson or on the swim beach.

Do the rangers live at the ort?Yes! National Park Service personnel livingand working at the ort include rangers,maintenance workers, and their amiliesenough to provide or the basic support andprotection o the 100squaremile park.

Employees have their own living quarters,complete with kitchen and bathroom. Moststa live within the casemates o the ort.To help maintain their privacy, the housingarea is closed to the public.

Rainwater provides employees with someo their resh water. Using parts o thehistoric rainwater collection system (rstused in the 1850s), water is stored in a largecistern in the parade ground. A processknown as reverse osmosis also convertssaltwater into reshwater. Electricity isprovided by diesel generator. The generatorruns 24 hours a day, seven days a week,creating enough electricity to poweremployee residences, ofces and public

areas.

Job vacancies are lled throughcompetitive hiring. Employees can remainas long as they choose; the typical length ostay is three years.

Park sta normally work ten consecutivedays, ollowed by our o days. When notworking the sta may choose to stay at theort to catch up on sleep, clean house, writeletters, or do laundry. Occasionally a trip totown becomes necessary or runningerrands or just to see the latest movie!

Please help us protect the park. Do not remove seashells,coral, sand, brick, glass, stone, metal, or any other naturalor historic objects.

1865 1898 1935 2007Nearly 2,000 people (soldiers,prisoners and some civilians) atFort Jeerson

USS Maine anchors at Dry Tortugasbeore sailing to Cuba; SpanishAmerican War

Fort Jeerson National Monumentestablished; rededicated as DryTortugas National Park in 1992

Research Natural Area sets aside46 square miles o park as no-take ecological preserve

Things to know

JAY YOUNG


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Though remote, the Dry Tortugas havebeen an important landmark or passingships since their rst recorded discoveryby Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Len

in 1513. He named the islands LasTortugas (the turtles) because o theareas abundance o large sea turtles.The word dry was added later to warnmariners o the lack o resh water onthese small coral islands.

Beginning in 1825, a lighthouse wasestablished on Garden Key to warnships o treacherous rees. Even todaythe area remains a busy crossroads orgateway or ships entering and leav-

ing the Gul o Mexico. Shipwrecks,too, are commonplaceand a tragicreminder o the risks associated withnavigating the Straits o Florida. Todaythe park possesses one o the richestconcentrations o shipwrecks in NorthAmerica, with a ew dating to the early1600s. Ironically, the same rees thatthreatened the saety o passing shipshelped to orm one o the most strategicharbors in U.S. history. Construction oFort Jeerson was begun in 1846 to help

ortiy this natural anchorage.

Touring Fort JeersonA sel-guiding trail begins near theVisitor Center. The easy to moderatetrail (0.8 miles) includes all three levelso the ort and takes approximately 45minutes to complete.

As you explore the ort, imagine lie hereduring the hectic 1860s. At its height,nearly 2,000 people lived within this

remote city on the sea. Crowded ontothe island were long walkways ankedby lush trees, impressive brick buildings,large wooden storehouses, and manytents. Soldiers marched and trained inthe broiling sun. Laborers, slaves, andprisoners hauled bricks and supplies tothe masons who continued their neverending task o building the ort. Womenand children, though ewer in number,were a welcome sight here. Surroundedby disease, suering, and death, onewie described the ort as a dark, meanplace.

The U.S. Army Corps o Engineersaced many challenges during the ortslengthy construction. Shiting sands,storms, and harsh conditions werecommon obstacles. The remotelocation hampered the shipment osupplies and skilled workers.Meanwhile, sections o the ort started

to sink. In an eort to limit the ortsweight and slow subsidence, the secondtier was intentionally let incomplete.

16 million bricksLarge quantities o brick, stone,cement, iron, and lumber were shipped

here rom around the United States.Most o the bricks were made in thePensacola area, a ourday journey bysailing schooner. When Florida let theUnion in 1861, bricks could no longerbe obtained rom these brickyards.Instead they had to be shipped rom asar away as Maine. These dark, redcolored Northern bricks are easilyvisible along the top o the orts walls.

Casemates

Casemates, or gunrooms, orm thebackbone o the ort. In essence, theyare the ort. Large cannons mountedinside these rooms could re throughspecial openings known as embrasures.To construct these rooms, carpentersrst built heavy wooden arches or

rames. Next, skilled masons laid brickand mortar on top o the rames,

creating the brick arches that arecommon throughout the ort.

16 traversesImagine standing on top o the ortswallsexposed to enemy reduring abattle. Feeling a little vulnerable? Thickmasonry mounds, or traverses, weredesigned to help protect men and gunsalong this exposed part o the ort. Smallpowder magazines were located insidethe traverses.

420 heavy gunsTo protect the Tortugas anchorage, FortJeerson eatured some o the largestand most advanced weapons o its age.The orts largest guns, known as 15-inch Rodman smoothbores, weighed 25tons apiece. With a crew o seven men,they could re a 432-pound projectilea distance o three miles. Advances intechnology eventually made even these

guns obsolete.

By 1900, these aging relics were sold toa Philadelphia scrap dealer and latermelted down. Fortunately or us, a ewo the original guns still remain on topo the orts walls, let there, no doubt,

due to their enormous size. Their newowner was unable (or unwilling) to

move them!

Soldiers barracksThis once impressive building wasdesigned to house ten companies osoldiers, or 1,000 men. More than aootball eld in length, the barrackswere destroyed by a re in 1912.

37 powder magazinesBy design the orts gunpowder wouldbe stored in 37 dierent magazines,spread out to reduce the risk o acatastrophic explosion and to make thepowder more accessible. Thick wallskept dangerous sparks and ames out,while narrow openings allowed reshair to enter (to help keep their contentsdry). Five o the orts magazines weredesigned to be detached, ree-standing buildings.

Stealth bomber o its day

As you walk around the ort, rememberthat Fort Jeerson is not just an old ort- it was the stealth bomber o its day,incorporating the latest militarytechnology to protect this valuable pieceo real estate. Do you think it was agood investment?

Exploring Garden Key: a walk through history

JOHN L. DENGLER

Fort Jeersons interior walls werepainted white to reect light and brightenthe dark casemates.

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Picnic area

Primitive campground

Campground toilets

Visible ruin

Garden Key and Fort JeffersonNorthCoaling

Dock ruins

South CoalingDock ruins

SeaplaneBeach

GardenKey Bush Key*

LongKey*

SouthSwim

Beach

(No boats)

See snorkeling tips andregulations on page 5

North SwimBeach

Coral heads

Dinghy

Beach

Dockhouse

Boat Pier

Moat

S NORK E L

A R E A

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HarborLight

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Dr. MuddCell

PowderMagazine

ParkHeadquarters

LincolnConspiratorsCell (2nd tier)

1825Lighthouse

foundations

SoldiersBarracks ruins

ShotFurnace

OfficersQuarters ruins

ANCH

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PowderMagazine

Bakery

Chapel(2nd tier)

*Bush Key and Long Key areclosed to public access

CLOSEDTO PUBLICResidentialand service

area


5/8D R Y T O R T U G A S N A T I O N A L P A R K N E W S 5

Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd,known in history as one o theLincoln Conspirators, wasborn in Charles County,Maryland, roughly 25 milessoutheast o Washington,D.C. In 1865, a militarycourt ound Mudd guiltyo conspiracy to assassinatethe president, sentencinghim to lie imprisonment.

Mudd arrived at Fort Jeerson in July,1865, along with three other Lincoln

Conspirators. Mudd played a key rolein treating victims o a yellow everepidemic during his imprisonment. Hewas pardoned by President AndrewJohnson in 1869, and allowed to returnto his amily in Maryland.

Make sure to visit Dr. Muddscell on the bottom level oFort Jeerson, just past thePark Headquarters. Anotherarea recently opened to thepublic is located just abovethe orts entrance. Climb thestairs o the lighthouse bastionto the second tier, then turnright. Dr. Mudd spent nearly

three years in this dark, damp case-mate. Watch out or holes in the oor.

Mudd explained the need or these

unusual modications in a letter to hiswie. We have a hole dug in the oorand little trenches cut. Ater everyrain, our quarters leak terribly, and itsnot unusual to dip up rom the oorten and twelve large buckets o waterdaily.

Is there a doctor in the ort?

A ully trained seven-man crew could reload a 15-inch, 25-ton Rodman cannon(above, on its original carriage) in just 70 seconds! The 15-inch Rodman could

re a 330 pound cannonball three miles, or the distance between Garden Key andLoggerhead Key. Six 15-inch Rodman guns remain on the terreplein (top) level o the

ort, making this the largest collection o 15-inch Rodmans in the world. Restorationwork has begun on these cannons through park entrance ees and generousdonations rom the South Florida National Parks Trust.

Outlines o the three-story Ofcers Quarters (above) and Soldiers Barracks arestill visible throughout the ort. Never ully nished, these massive buildings weredamaged by hurricanes and re, and nally were torn down by the National ParkService in the 1960s.

An approved dive ag must be displayed at all times whensnorkeling outside o the designated snorkel area.

For your saety never snorkel alone - always use thebuddy system.

I you need to stand up, stand on the sand! Never standon coral or seagrass, as standing can kill these valuableresources.

Shipwrecks and all historic artiacts are protected by law. Do not disturb coral or shells. All coral, living and dead, is protected rom

collection.

Where is agood placeto snorkel?A good place to start is along theoutside o the moat wall. Some largecoral heads are located in the westernedge o the designated Snorkel Area,approximately 75 yards rom themoat wall. More experienced snor-kelers may want to explore the metalpilings o the old coaling docks.

Patches o healthy coral ree, someeasily accessible rom shore and in

shallow water, are snorkeling havens.

JOHN L. DENGLER

Brain corals are a type o hard coral.These ree-orming corals take decades to

grow to ull size. A Christmas tree wormhas ound a welcome home, encased in

living coral.

Rules or a sae adventure

JOHN L. DENGLER

Many types o coral can be seen in just a short snorkel around the moat wall,including brain corals and sea ans.


6/86 D R Y T O R T U G A S N A T I O N A L P A R K N E W S

Sooty Tern(Sterna uscata)

About 80,000 sooty terns nest annually on BushKey (February through September), the onlysignicant breeding colony in the Continental U.S.

Most adult birds spend their o season in theCaribbean. Young birds migrate to the AtlanticOcean o the west coast o Arica, remaining inight or up to ve years.

Magnifcent Frigatebird(Fregata magnicens)

Long Key contains the only nesting colony or themagnicent rigatebird in the Continental U.S.Their remarkable wingspan (68 eet) is the longestin proportion to weight (less than 3 pounds) o

any bird. Their light weight allows them to soareortlessly or hours like a hang glider. Frigatebirdsoten eed by harassing other birds in ight, orcingthem to drop or disgorge their catch.

Brown Noddy(Anous stolidus)

About 4,500 nest annually on Bush Key, which

ranks as the only important breeding colony inthe Continental U.S. They arrive with the sootyterns, but tend to stay longer, sometimes as late asOctober.

Brown Pelican(Pelecanus occidentalis)

A common sight year round in the Dry Tortugas,pelicans orage in shallow waters or near shore.These large birds weigh about eight pounds, yetcan y graceully just inches above the water. Theyeat small sh, normally captured duringspectacular plunge-dives.

Ruddy Turnstone(Arenaria interpres)

Aptly named, these colorul shorebirds energeti-cally patrol beaches, constantly using their bills toip over rocks and debris in search o ood.Remember, eeding or harassing wildlie in thepark is prohibited by law.

I elt or a moment as i the birds would raise me rom theground, so thick were they all round, and so quick the motiono their wings. Their cries were indeed deaening

John James Audubon, 1832

Wherever we went there was a resh eruption o black andwhite birds, billowing skyward and sweeping down upon uslike a tornado. I believe the sooty tern colony o Bush Key tobe the number one ornithological spectacle o the continent.

Roger Tory Peterson, 1948

Such extraordinary comments have inspired birding enthusiasts rom around theworld to visit the Dry Tortugas. In act, the bird lie o the Tortugas has attracted theattention o visitors since Spanish explorer Ponce de Len discovered these islandsin June 1513. To help protect these important species, the area was transerred to

the Department o Agriculture in 1908, and maintained as a National WildlieReuge. In 1935, the Dry Tortugas were transerred to the National Park Service.

Several speciesrarely seen elsewhere in the United Stateschoose to nest inthe Dry Tortugas. The sooty terns and magnicent rigatebirds, or example, haveselected the Tortugas as their only signicant nesting area in the Continental UnitedStates. Many other bird species, however, are simply passing through. Migratingbirds are a common sight in the spring and all as they briey pause to rest andnourish themselves beore moving on. With so many birds crowded onto these tinyislands (299 dierent species have been identied in the Dry Tortugas), things canget pretty exciting! How many bird species can you identiy during your visit? Listedbelow are some o the more commonly seen birds:

The view rom above

Masked Booby(Sula dactylatra)

Present year-round in small numbers (up to about40). Hospital Key is their only important nestingarea in the Continental U.S.


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D R Y T O R T U G A S N A T I O N A L P A R K N E W S 7

The Research Natural Area, or RNA,adds a new layer o protection orthe marine resources o Dry TortugasNational Park. Established in 2007,

the RNA is a 46 square-mile no-takeecological preserve that provides asanctuary or species aected by shingand loss o habitat in this region o theGul. The RNA also provides boaters,divers, snorkelers, and researchers theopportunity to explore and study thesignicant marine environment protect-ed within Dry Tortugas National Park.

In 1992, Congress created Dry TortugasNational Park to protect and interpret

a pristine subtropical marine ecosystem,including an intact coral ree com-munity that is generally regarded asone o the most well-preserved marineareas in the Florida Keys. The parksounding legislation also stated that thepark would protect sh and wildlieand provide opportunities or scienticresearch.

While commercial shing has long beeno-limits in the park, scientic studies

have documented signicant declinesin the size and abundance o importantgamesh, including grouper, snapper,and grunts. Closure o this portion othe park to shing provides a reugeor both juvenile and mature sh thatultimately uel the commercial and rec-

reational shing industries in the FloridaKeys.

Fish are not the only species acingtrouble. Corals have declined precipi-tously in recent decades; staghorn coralsin particular have declined by 99% since1977. The RNA will provide a living

laboratory or scientists to study thereasons or these declines.

While the natural resources have beendeclining, visitation to the DryTortugas has quadrupled since 1994.More visitors has meant more impacts

on the parks resources. The RNA willsignicantly reduce impacts to this area.

The need or the RNA can be comparedto hurricane preparation. You dont waituntil the storm hits to put on your hur-ricane shutters; you prepare in advanceto protect your home and property.

The National Park Service has chosena management method o preventivemaintenance and monitoring to ensurethe health o the parks ecosystem.

The RNA will not succeed without yourhelp. When visiting the RNA, ollow the

regulations, and i you are conused by

them, ask a ranger in advance o yourvisit. For more inormation, pick up theWhat is the Research Natural Area?site bulletin, visit the park websiteat www.nps.gov/drto, or contact theFlorida Keys Eco-Discovery Center at305-809-4750.

New ecological preserve is a living laboratory

WES PRATT

Researchers return to the park every year to study nurse sharks. National Geographic

sponsored this Critter Cam on one o the parks nurse sharks to learn more abouttheir mating behavior. The Research Natural Area sets aside a Special Protection Zone

or nurse sharks near Long Key.

The Dry Tortugas have long been

recognized or their pristine marineecosystem. The scene above is the interioro the Laboratory or Marine Ecologywhich was operated by the CarnegieInstitute on Loggerhead Key rom 1905 to1939. Among the Carnegie Laboratoryssignicant scientic contributions includethe rst underwater marine photography.Destroyed by hurricanes, a monument re-mains to the labs ounder, Alred Mayor.

Miles

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radius = 1 nautical milefrom center

ResearchNatural Area

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LoggerheadKey

EastKey

Middle

Key

Florida KeysNational Marine

SanctuaryNo fishing zone



No fishing zone

Hospital

Key

The Research Natural Area is a 46-square mile area in the northwestportion o the park. Not includedin the Research Natural Area is anarea one nautical mile in diameteraround the Garden Key Light and thedeveloped areas o Loggerhead Key.Beore boating in the park, please keythe Research Natural Areacoordinates into your GPS system.

For more detailed inormation aboutthe Research Natural Area, consult theseparate park brochure on the area.

Where is the

ResearchNatural Area?

Miles

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radius = 1 nautical milefrom center

ResearchNatural Area

N O R T H T O R T U G A S

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EastKey

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8 D R Y T O R T U G A S N A T I O N A L P A R K N E W S

The Everglades Association is a NationalPark Service cooperating associationdedicated to increasing public under-standing o the natural and historicvalues o south Floridas national parks.A wide variety o educational books,videos, and related park theme itemsmay be purchased at park visitor center

bookstores or by mail. Proceeds romsales support educational programs insouth Florida national parks.

BooksPages rom the Past: A PictorialHistory o Fort Jeerson by AlbertManucyThe history o Fort Jeersoncomes alive in this comprehensiveportolio o historic photos, colorillustrations, and ascinating text. 32 pp.paper. $7.95

Seacoast Fortifcations o the UnitedStates by E.R. LewisA ne bookexplaining and illustrating thedevelopment o American seacoastdeenses. 145 pp., paper. $21.95

Artillery Through the Ages: a Short,Illustrated History o Cannon byAlbert Manucy Emphasizes types ocannons used in America. 92 pp., paper.$2.75

Floridas Birds: A Field Guide andReerence by Herbert Kale, II, and

David MaehrA comprehensivehandbook and identication guide to325 Florida bird species. Includeshabitat, seasons present and breeding,and distinguishing marks. 288 pp., 54color plates, paper. $21.95

Blood on the Moon: theAssassination o Abraham Lincolnby Edward Steers, Jr.Includes latestresearch on John Wilkes Booth and Dr.Samuel Mudd. 360 pp. sot. $22.00

Voyage o the Turtle: In Pursuit othe Earths Last Dinosaur by CarlSana...The story o the ancientleatherback turtle and what its survivalsays about our uture. 383 pp., $27.50

Fort Jeerson and the Dry TortugasNational Park by Wayne LandrumAconcise yet comprehensive celebrationo the parks history and natural beauty.72 pp., hard. $19.95

DVDEverglades and the National Parkso South Florida includes Biscayne,Big Cypress and Dry Tortugas. 90 min.,stereo. $19.95

Specialty ItemsA wide range o Dry Tortugas NationalPark items are available or sale. Itemsinclude pins, Tshirts, patches, magnets,tote bags, and postcards.

Visitors to Dry Tortugas National Parkplay a key role in helping to maintainthis national treasure. I you travel to thepark via a commercial erry or seaplane,

a $5.00 entrance ee is automaticallycollected in Key West when youpurchase your ticket. For other visitorsto Garden Key, such as those arrivingon their own boat, the entrance ee iscollected in the park (a sel-service eestation is located on the dock). The eeis valid or seven days.

Entrance ees are designed torecapture part o the parks operatingcosts. Important ways in which your

money is spent include:

Coral ree protection Replace picnic tables and grills Maintenance projects Update park exhibits

Other proposed projects include: Develop a new visitor center Open a historic powder magazine Develop a sel-guiding audio tour

Entrance eesat work

Visit the Florida Keys Eco-DiscoveryCenter in Key West and take a journeyinto the native plants and animals othe Keys, both those that live on landand underwater.

The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Cen-ter inspires students, local residentsand visitors to become good stewardso the unique Florida Keys ecosystem.The Centers goal is to help all visitorsdevelop an appreciation and personalresponsibility or protecting the FloridaKeys and South Florida ecosystem. TheEco-Discovery Center eatures 6,000square eet o interactive and dynamicexhibits depicting the terrestrial andunderwater habitats o the Florida

Keys, as well as a high-denition lm.

The Center eatures all aspects o thebiodiversity o the Florida Keys, andalso ocuses on human interaction withthe environment, the management omarine protected areas, and the mari-time culture and history o the area.

The Eco-Discovery Center is madepossible through a joint venture by theNational Park Service; U. S. Fish andWildlie Service; National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration; and,the South Florida Water ManagementDistrict. The Center is open rom 9:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday throughSaturday, and located at the TrumanAnnex 35 East Quay Road, Key West,FL 33040. Call or more inormation at

305-809-4750.

Discover the Eco-Discovery Center

Fort Jeersons exterior walls are beingrepaired under a long-term contract.

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FLORIDA KEYS

ECO-DISCOVERY

CENTER

Southernmost Point

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1

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G U L F O F M E X I C O

A T L A N T I C O C E A N

K E Y

W E S T

0

0

.25 mi

.40 km

Information Inquiries:40001 State Road 9336

Homestead, FL 330346733(305) 2427700

Website: www.nps.gov/drto

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

The National Park Service caresor special places saved by the

American people so that all mayexperience our heritage.

For information on boat andseaplane trips to Dry Tortugas, callthe park or one o the companieslisted below:

Seaplanes of Key West(305) 2940709

Sunny Days Catamarans(305) 2926100

Yankee Fleet(305) 2947009

Dry Tortugas National ParkNews is published as a service topark visitors by the EvergladesAssociation.

Mailing Address

10 Parachute Key #51Homestead, FL 33034-6735(305) 247-1216(305) 247-1225 FAX

WebsiteVisit the mail order bookshelwebsite atwww.evergladesassociation.org

Phone and ax orders accepted withVisa, Mastercard, or Discover.

This newspaper was printed onrecycled paper. Please recycle.

Dry Tortugas National Park

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Dry Tortugas National Park Guide

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