FALL 2026
managers’ message
park hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday-Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Welcome to The Barnacle Historic State Park!
As the season changes, our staff and volunteers continue working hard to preserve the rich history and natural beauty of the park and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Historic Residence.
Even though we have had little progress on the pavilion, we are pleased to share that our temporary dock is up and running!
A special thanks to Mike Chapman and the entire boathouse volunteer crew-thank you all very much for your hard work and dedication in getting this completed.
We also have an exciting lineup of community events coming up, including our upcoming Bio Blitz, where visitors and local experts can explore and document the diverse wildlife throughout the park. A big thank you to Ranger Shelby Hoogland for organizing this wonderful event.
Thank you to all our volunteers, partners, and community members for your continued support in keeping The Barnacle a vibrant part of Coconut Grove. We look forward to seeing you at the park soon!
Daniel Kelsey, Park Manager
President’s Message
Greetings Barnacle family & friends!
The Barnacle Society moonlight concert series 2026 began with an historical first, Freddy Stebbins kicked off the season with a family friendly Comedy Night. This was the brainchild of Bryn Ingram, our concert chair, and despite the weather, we had a terrific turnout and look forward to hosting Freddy again, so keep an eye out!
Moonlight concerts are on the second Friday of each Month with gates opening at 6 and live entertainment from 7-9. It is a perfect way to wind down from the week, pack a picnic or grab your favorite take-out, and come throw a blanket on the lawn! You are welcome to bring your favorite beverages too just remember that you must take all your trash and recyclables with you when you leave.
Here are the dates for the remainder of 2026:
October 9th, Mama Fuma returns with Cuban/Caribbean Funk and Southern Rock, a true crowd pleaser, back by popular demand.
November 13th, The 18 Wheelers will join us celebrating 30 years of entertaining with their unique blend of roots rock, honky tonk, and bluegrass. We are excited to welcome them.
December 11th, Will Thomas, known for Yacht Rock and a Grateful Dead Tribute, a local favorite returning due to popular demand.
There is so much more to share, and we can’t wait to see you in the Park.
Thank you for supporting our efforts, we do it for you and couldn’t do it without you. See you soon!
Mary Scott Russell, President, The Barnacle Society
BIOBLITZ AT THE BARNACLE
Shelby Hoogland, organizer
You’re Invited! The Barnacle Society will be hosting the 1st Annual Barnacle BioBlitz Fest on October 17th, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event is focused on celebrating our community’s conservation wins, in addition to growing our knowledge of what flora and fauna calls the park home. Whether you want to come to connect with our community partners or you’re able to volunteer your time for the BioBlitz, all are welcome!
Details
📍 The Barnacle Historic State Park
📅 Saturday, October 17th, 2026
🕦 BioBlitz 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, the community fun continues until 3:00 PM
🍽️ Light bites generously provided by Barcelona Wine Bar after the conclusion of the BioBlitz for volunteers.
What is a BioBlitz?
Participants will use an app, iNaturalist, to take photos of any living creature seen as they walk through our tropical hardwood hammock forest and throughout the park. Expert volunteers will then identify what specifically we are observing in the park.
Why should you participate?
Living in an urban environment, we might not think of how biodiverse a place might be. Although the Barnacle is only five acres, we have the potential to support a wide range of living creatures from the smallest bugs to the most interesting birds. By participating in the BioBlitz, you are directly making an impact and contributing to bettering our conservation efforts.
How to Sign Up
Please follow this link to fill out an online form. We are looking for people to physically participate in the BioBlitz and for experts to help us identify after the conclusion of the event. We welcome any knowledge and ability level. Volunteers must be 16 years or older or accompanied by a guardian or parent.
Help us spread the word!
Does this sound like something you’re class, your organization, or your club might be interested in? Please spread the word!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly, Shelby.Hoogland@FloridaDEP.gov.
Sawdust and Shavings
by John Palenchar
Temporary Dock
The “Boathouse Gang” have been busy the past three months with one BIG project and a bunch more others. The BIG project was the installation of a “temporary” dock on the pilings of our old dock which was swept away by Hurricane Irma nine years ago. Due to other funding priorities, the Florida Park Service has to date been unable to replace the dock, which is vital for the maintenance of our beautiful replica of Commodore Munroe’s EGRET. For nine years, maintenance and access were by way of a dinghy rowed out to the moored boat which was very difficult and made major maintenance repairs practically impossible. Thanks to EGRET’s major caretaker, Mike Chapman, with help from Park Manager Dan Kelsey, and volunteers Mark Monroe and others (and funding from The Barnacle Society and wholesale lumber via longtime supporter Dock and Marine Construction), we now have easy access to EGRET for maintenance and sailing!
On other fronts, our Cape Cod Oystering Skiff, the CAPE SABLE SPARROW, is in the “yard” for some much-needed repair, including some new bottom planking and a new rubrail. Fresh paint will follow. Volunteer Peter Jelonek is heading up this effort along with Mark Munroe and myself.
SPARROW with deteriorated bottom planking removed
Sparrow ready for new rub rail
A couple of needs up at the Barnacle House have been met recently. Park Staff asked if some additional wooden stanchions could be made to cordon off some sensitive areas. Not having the tools or expertise, we reached out to the South Florida Woodturners Guild (www.sfwtg.com), who invited us to their monthly meeting to present the project. Member Brian Seguin said he could do the job and in a matter of days we had 6 new stanchions!! We added plywood bases and a couple of coats of stain and the new “barricades” are now in service in our Barnacle House!
Staining a new stanchion, in progress
New stanchions in service!
“Shadow Box” in the Barnacle larder
Our Collections Specialist, Vinny Nastasi, continues to develop novel ways to tell the story of the Barnacle. His vision of a “shadow box” to display interesting photos and documents was recently made a reality by volunteer Mark Monroe and myself—complete with a faux camera-tripod stand, hearkening to the Commodore’s wonderful photography skills, which captured the iconic images of the early Coconut Grove community.
Lastly, longtime Barnacle Volunteer, Bob Deresz, is propagating a whole new generation of “Quacky,” his pet duck. This limited edition may be available for an appropriate donation in the near future. Stay tuned!
Bob Deresz fashioning next gen Quackies
Do you have any woodworking or sailing experience? Any skills with power tools? Reach out to volunteer manager, Kevin Floyd, at Kevin. Floyd@FloridaDEP.gov to learn more about getting involved in our historic boathouse!
The nature of things at the Barnacle
by Suzanne Koptur
A lance by any other name…
Lancewood leaves are long and pointed.
Common in hardwood hammocks and pine rockland edges is Lancewood. The common name comes either from its traditional use in making spears for fishing, or maybe from the shape of its leaves, lanceolate (in botany speak, oblong and pointed!). The scientific name of this plant has been changing over the last decade or more – I first learned it as Nectandra coriacea, then it was changed to Ocotaea coriacea, and now it is properly named Damburneya coriacea. Though the names change, the plant species itself has not changed, and is native to Florida and the Caribbean. I hope you get the point!
Mature lancewood are medium-sized trees (20-30 ft tall), and their wood is valued in woodworking and cabinet making. They make fine climbing trees and are nice to have in your yard as their shape and glossy green foliage are striking, making an effective barrier or screen, and also support native wildlife.
Lancewood has small, white flowers, typical of the rather unspectacular flowers seen in the family Lauraceae. This family also contains avocados (Persea americana), and indeed the fruits are like tiny avocados, without much flesh and a very big seed. The fruits are green, often with red calyx caps, that ripen to black. Inside each fruit is a large green seed covered by a thin brown skin. The seeds germinate readily, and you can often see lots of seedlings under a mature tree.
Lancewood flowers, ideal for insect visitors collecting nectar and/or pollen.
Lancewood in fruit, loads of them!
The fruits are eaten by birds and likely other animals, as the fleshy outside is rich in fats and considered tasty. In tropical America, trogons and quetzals are the main consumers of Lauraceae fruits, migrating up and down mountains as the different Lauraceae tree species have ripe fruits, eating the fruits and dispersing the seeds. I’ve never seen a bird actually eating the lancewood fruits here, so keep your eyes open and you might. The seeds certainly get around and readily volunteer in a native plant yard.
Renew your membership
The support of our community helps ensure the future of The Barnacle. Your membership makes a huge impact in the maintenance of the museum, the grounds, and all the amazing projects in the Boathouse. Please take a moment to renew your membership, or to become a member if you have not done so already. Thank you for supporting The Barnacle!
ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
The News Packet was created to inform members and public about The Barnacle Society, The Barnacle Historic State Park, and events and activities there. Published quarterly by The Barnacle Society, it is part of our continuing program to support and preserve the home of Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe. The News Packet represents the method of mail and news delivery before the turn of the 20th century. A small boat sailed to Fowey Rocks Light and received a “packet” of newspapers and mail from passing coastal ships bound for Key West or Jacksonville.
Suzanne Koptur, Editor
Gabi Bello, Webmaster
BOARD MEMBERS
Officers
Mary Scott Russell, President
Sweet Pea Ellman, 1st VP
Kevin Black, 2nd VP
Graham Coords, 3rd VP
Rafael Felippe, Treasurer
Debra Wellins, Recording Secretary
John Palenchar, Corresponding Secretary
Directors
Peter Berman, Ashley Castillo, Bryn Ingram, Olivier de Lavalette, Wirth Munroe, Doug Reno, Marc Stone, Pam Shlachtman, Walt Walkington
MISSION STATEMENT
The Barnacle Society, Inc. is a volunteer non-profit, citizen-supported organization created to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of The Barnacle Historic State Park.
PARK HOURS
Thursday through Monday 9 AM to 5 PM Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.