amyKrasker PUBLIC RELATIONS

DATE: August 2014 DEPARTMENT: Public Information Press Releases: Friends August Lecture Explores Impact of Beach Nourishment on Turtle Nesting - drafted press release - placed on tcpalm.com and distributed to local community newspapers - posted on all local on-line calendars and District website - secured placements

River Center Hosts Fish Fry to Award Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament Winners - drafted media advisory - distributed to local broadcast media - distributed to tcpalm.com and community newspapers - secured placements

Cool Off at the River Center’s Water Play Day August 14 - drafted press release - placed on tcpalm.com and distributed to local community newspapers - posted on all local on-line calendars and District website - secured placements

River Center Jr. Fishing Tournament Hooks Kids & Receives Over 4,000 Fishing Photo Entries, Winner Reels in 500 Fish - drafted press release - distributed to local community newspapers - secured placements

300 Valencia Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, Tel: 561-832-6268 Email: kraskerpr@aol.com

Friends August 1 Lecture Explores Impact of Beach Nourishment on Turtle Nesting Jupiter, Florida – On Friday, August 1, Friends of the Loxahatchee River will host Niki Desjardin of Ecological Associates who will discuss beach nourishment and its effects on sea turtles. Ms. Dejardin will explain the beach nourishment process and how it is used to monitor impacts to turtles. She also will touch on the impact of coastal development and discuss ways coastal residents can help to improve conditions for sea turtle nesting. Ms. Desjardin has a diverse background in biology, including the study of tropical marine systems, animal behavior and ecology, and resource management. She graduated from the University of Richmond with a BS in Biology, and obtained a Masters degree in Marine Biology from Florida Atlantic University. Her graduate studies in marine science were focused on the habitat use and migratory overlap of leatherback sea turtles and ocean sunfishes. For the last nine years she has served as a Project Manager at Ecological Associates, Inc. in Jensen Beach, managing field operations and data collection for the firm's sea turtle and shorebird monitoring programs in Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties. During and after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Ms. Desjardin was responsible for implementing sea turtle nest protection measures for all sea turtle nesting beaches in the western Florida panhandle. In her spare time, she loves adventure running, bird watching, and snorkeling.

The Friends meeting is part of a monthly series hosted by the River Center and Friends of the Loxahatchee River featuring environmentally focused topics and speakers, and it is free and open to the public. A complimentary light lunch will be provided.

The River Center is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This unique environmental center presents extensive freshwater and marine aquatic exhibits with an interactive exploration of the river, diverse wildlife, and its majestic environmental value. In addition, guests learn where their water comes from, how it is consumed, and then recycled back into the community. There are multi-media and live aquatic exhibits, along with a unique touch tank experience where guests can hold and touch living aquatic life. For more information about the River Center, please call561-743-7123 or visit www.loxahatcheeriver.org/rivercenter. # # #

Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament Photo Submission: The River Center’s Junior Angler of the week is Emma Johnson (8 years old). Emma reeled in this bluegill on a worm! This commonly misidentified freshwater fish is part of the Sunfish family (Centrarchidae). They have a small mouth, a completely dark ear spot (no red), a dark patch at the base and rear end of the dorsal fin, and often vertical bars on the body. These fish can appear very different based on age and gender (male vs. female). Way to go, Emma! The River Center’s Jr. Angler Tournament runs all summer, so register today by calling 561.743.7123.

Cool Off at the River Center’s Water Play Day August 14! Jupiter, Florida – Even though back-to-school is just around the corner, summer fun continues at the River Center with a special Water Play Day on Thursday, August 14! Join the River Center crew for some family fun in the sun from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. as little ones splash in kiddie pools, play with water toys, and enjoy icy snacks! Kids and parents can also cool off with water balloon games and a wacky water obstacle course, or stay in the shade visiting the River Center’s touch tank! Kids ages 0-12 are welcom e with parents, and the cost is just $5 per child. Adults are free, and remember to wear a swimsuit, sunscreen, closed toe water shoes, and bring a towel! The River Center is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This distinctive environmental center presents freshwater and marine aquatic exhibits with an interactive exploration of the river, diverse wildlife, and its majestic environmental value. In addition, guests learn where their water comes from, how it is consumed, and then recycled back into the community. There are multi-media and live aquatic exhibits, along with a unique touch tank experience where guests can hold and touch living aquatic life. For more information about the River Center, please call 561-743-7123 or visitwww.loxahatcheeriver.org/rivercenter.

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Call the River Center at 561-743-7123 to reserve you spot, as spaces are limited, or RSVP to rivercenter@loxahatcheeriver.org.

River Center Jr. Fishing Tournament Hooks Kids & Receives Over 4,000 Fishing Photo Entries, Winner Reels in 500 Fish Jupiter, Florida – For many area kids, summer vacation means long days spent swimming, hanging out with friends, and enjoying a break from all that homework. While that might have been true for some young people, it certainly was not the case for the 58 girls and boys aged 5 to 17 from Palm Beach and Martin Counties who participated in the River Center’s first-ever Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament. This catch-and-release competition took place from May through June with points awarded for the quantity and variety of area fresh and saltwater fish contestants caught, photographed, and submitted to the River Center. With well over 4,000 exciting photo submissions, and everything from checkered pufferfish to snook, big bluegills to largemouth bass, and blue runner jacks to Atlantic bigeyes, it is safe to say that these young anglers certainly had a very busy and fun summer! Being that this was the first year that the River Center has run the contest, officials were not sure what to expect in terms of participation. However, it soon became obvious that the young anglers were hooked, and the competition quickly exceeded all expectations. The River Center is thrilled to report that the tournament more than achieved its goal of helping contestants to explore the diversity of local fisheries and learn more about the area’s unique aquatic habitats, all while honing their fishing skills. The excitement of the tournament culminated in a family fish fry at the River Center on August 2 when the winners were announced and prizes awarded. A hearty congratulations goes out to the grand prize winner, junior angler Trey A. Riva, age 9, who managed to reel in and photograph more than 500 fish! With such tremendous turnout and interest in the tournament, the River Center hopes to build on this success and is already looking forward to next year’s competitive and educational summer adventure. Sponsors of the tournament included Strumthal & Hodder, Cisek Capital, Fishing Headquarters, Aquarius Investigation and Security, Fish Rules App, Shimano, Native Fishing Charters, Florida Sportsman Magazine, West Palm Beach Fishing Club, Charlie's Worms, Gulfstream Lures, DOA Lures, Shakespeare, Berkley, Outdoor Performance Apparel, Ocean Magic Surf Shop, K Scott Art, and Loxahatchee River District. The River Center would especially like to thank Tommy Schulz of Fishing Headquarters for his expertise and encouragement that made this inaugural tournament possible.

The River Center is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This unique environmental center presents extensive freshwater and marine aquatic exhibits with an interactive exploration of the river, diverse wildlife, and its majestic environmental value. In addition, guests learn where their water comes from, how it is consumed, and then recycled back into the community. There are multi-media and live aquatic exhibits, along with a unique touch tank experience where guests can hold and touch living aquatic life. For more information about the River Center, please call 561-743-7123 or visit www.loxahatcheeriver.org/rivercenter.

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amyKrasker PUBLIC RELATIONS

* * ATTENTION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR: MEDIA ADVISORY * *

River Center Hosts Fish Fry to Award

Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament Winners

WHO: The River Center WHAT: End of Summer Fish Fry & Award Ceremony celebrating participants in the River

Center’s inaugural Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament. The Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament, which ran from May 15, 2014 to July 27,

was a unique fishing contest to encourage junior anglers to explore the diversity of local fisheries and learn more about the area’s unique aquatic habitats, all while honing their fishing skills. Participants between the ages of 5 and 17 submited photos throughout the summer of their fresh water and salt water catches from Palm Beach and Martin Counties. They earned points based on the quantity and variety of species caught. More than 4,000 photos were submitted during the tournament. Sponsors of the River Center’s Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament include Cisek Capital, Fishing Headquarters, Fish Rules App, Loxahatchee River District, Shimano, Native Fishing Charters, Florida Sportsman Magazine, West Palm Beach Fishing Club, Charlie's Worms, Gulfstream Lures, DOA Lures, Shakespeare, and Berkley.

WHEN: Saturday, August 2, 2014 12pm Awards Ceremony at 12:45pm

Winners will be announced and presented with prizes. Families will enjoy a fish fry of local catches. Photos of catches submitted by participants throughout the summer will be on display.

WHERE: River Center 805 North US Highway One, Jupiter (Burt Reynolds Park) CONTACT: Nicole Sciandra , 561-743-7123 MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Krasker (561) 252-8988

8/7/2014 Print

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Treasure Coast Newspapers The Jupiter Courier 08/07/2014 K: JupiterCourier

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7/25/2014 Print

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Treasure Coast Newspapers The Jupiter Courier 07/24/2014 K: JupiterCourier

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