Palm Island

Dr. Beach Rates Charlotte County Florida Beaches

May 12, 2011

You know him as “Dr. Beach.” He’s in the news every year around Memorial Day weekend when he announces his list of the Top Ten Beaches in the Nation. His real name is Stephen Leatherman and he’s the Chair Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. [...]

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Why Did the Gopher Tortoise Cross the Road?

May 11, 2011

Gopher tortoises are everywhere on Palm Island and Don Pedro Island. They are probably some of the most photographed tortoises in Florida. When someone is building a new house on these islands they have to check for gopher tortoise burrows first. If there are any, they are carefully moved to another lot. Someone joked that [...]

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Don Pedro Island: Back to the Good Old Days

May 10, 2011

Do you ever wonder what it must have been like living on Florida Gulf coast barrier islands back in the 1930′s and 1940′s? Before the development, before the big bridges, before paved roads, life was much slower. People lived without the constant roar of traffic and sirens, slamming of car doors, or the scream of [...]

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Dr. Beach Visits Charlotte County Florida Beaches

May 6, 2011

Dr. Stephen Leatherman, known to all as “Dr. Beach,” is currently visiting Charlotte County beaches, grading them as part of his yearly beach contest to determine the 10 best beaches in the U.S. He will be visiting beaches on Knight Island (Palm Island Resort), Don Pedro Island and Little Gasparilla Island. Dr. Beach’s visit turned [...]

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Snowy Plover Nest, Conservation on Palm Island

April 22, 2009

As I was exploring Palm Island beach on Stump Pass on Monday morning, two friendly volunteer  Shorebird Stewards, Sarah and Merrill, came over and talked to me about the nesting areas that were being monitored and protected by Charlotte County and numerous volunteers. They were walking the beach to educate the public. Many of our [...]

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Captiva vs. Palm Island

April 21, 2009

I get quite a few questions from folks trying to decide which island to stay on during their vacation. Recently I got a question asking about the differences between Captiva Island and Don Pedro Island. I thought this question might be of interest to many folks, so I decided to blog my answer. Anyone who [...]

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