Unlike Ewya in Avatar, no one heard Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee will be drained to send water to US Sugar

and the entire south of Florida to use as they please.

Never mind that the Lake is now at a level that sends shivers down

the spines of all concerned with the Wildlife that depends on it.

It matters not.

The South Florida Water Management District has made the decision.

One member on this Board is Trudi Williams who recently said that the

Florida Panther really does not need any further special protection.

See that story below in this Blog dated Jan. 31, 2011.

The Lake is gong to be drained by pumps and no one, it would seem,

cares about the extreme damage that this will cause the entire Ecosystem.

Money speaks louder than any other voice, always.

Pumps to Keep Okeechobee's Water Flowing South

Are you kidding, we need another power plant in Florida?

As if the Florida Panther has not suffered enough at the hands of Humans...

wait for it....

A new power plant is about to be built right smack in the middle of their Habitat.

This story lays out all of the details and then tells you how you can get involved and tell FPL to go somewhere else to build.

Right now it is only in planning stages, so influence from the public can affect the outcome.

Florida Panthers have run out of room and out of time, they are at the end of the log.

Please write to the man at the top, Lewis Hay, CEO Florida Power and Light.

His email: lew_hay@fpl.com

Great story, great information:

New Power Plant Threatens the Florida Panther

Let Lisa Jackson, the Head of the EPA, Know that We Will Not Tolerate Mercury in Our Lives Anymore

This week there are events happening in several places around the country to address one of the most lethal toxins on our planet, Mercury.

It affects all of us, humans, pets and wildlife.

Mercury is very toxic and we must get it out of our environment and never allow big companies to push it back on us again.

The next time you eat fish, get your dog a Rabies shot or feed your children, you need to ask yourself this question:

Is there Mercury in this?

If you want to get involved:

Send the Head of the EPA an Email

or you can also:

Show Up for One of the Rallies

Okeechobee is Hurting

Lake Okeechobee is at a seriously dangerous level right now.

It is so low, in fact that farmers may have to cut deep if South Florida wants to keep water flowing out of their faucets.

The current drought and years of wasted water have brought this once magnificent body of water, only one of two in the U.S. that can be seen from space, to its knees.

So much depends on this Lake, it is nearly incomprehensible that any one could be allowed to waste a single drop of it, but waste it they do, every single day.

There are many who are guilty of robbing Okeechobee of its lifeblood:

U.S. Sugar, Former Governors, endless companies and so many others who just keep taking, never giving a thought to what their greed is doing to Florida's well being.

Not only Endangered Wildlife, but the Everglades Ecosystem, go on life support when deprived of Okeechobee's constant fresh supply of life giving water.

Another factor in the low water levels is that very few hurricanes have made land fall in South Florida recently.

Although they cause much widespread damage throughout the area, they also replenish the Lake and the Everglades.

It is a double edged sword.

Everything in this area is totally dependant on Okeechobee to survive, two Ecosystems and all manner of man and beast.

But too much or too little water and the whole area becomes dysfunctional, nothing works in harmony anymore and all suffer.

To survive, we must all be in balance with one another.

What is the line from Avatar?

"They killed their Mother."

Lake Okeechobee Water Levels Continue to Drop

Endangered Species Day May 20, 2011

This Friday May 20, 2011 is Endangered Species Day and it will be a perfect day to reflect on the many successes of past imperiled Wildlife like the Bald Eagle, which, if you are lucky enough to live in Florida, can be seen every day all over the state, doing what they do best, just looking magnificent.

On the other side of the many great steps forward that have been made,

there still remain those who need to be protected, like the Florida Panther.

On Friday, please do think of these beautiful wild creatures who are a gift to mankind.

We must continue to do our very best to provide them with a Healthy Habitat to live in.

Endangered Species Day

And for all of you Teachers:

 Is Your Class Ready for Endangered Species Day?

Could New Bug Factory be a Double-Edged Sword?

Will the new bugs about to be introduced into the Everglades to eradicate invasive species, do their job or become just another nightmare for this already beleaguered Ecosystem?

Scientists have often in the past gone awry with their good intentions.

Can anyone remember why Heroin was introduced by Bayer?

It was to help Morphine addicts get straight.

We all know how that went, right?

Then Cocaine was introduced to fix both the problems.

So, what happens if these new bugs get out of hand and then turn on the Native Florida Plants and Insects?

Yes, we must do something to stop the onslaught of invasive plants and bugs, but is this really the best answer for the Everglades?

Let's hope that they do better with the bugs than the drugs!

Bug Factory to Save the Everglades

Yes, these Two Questions are Quite Related.

Does Monsanto Want to Buy NPR to Keep Them Quiet?

Guess Which CEO Only Eats Organic?

Hugh Grant, not the English Actor, but the CEO of Monsanto,

the world's leading producer of GMO food (genetically modified organics)

only buys Organic Food.

Read the complete NPR Interview with him:

Hugh Grant Interview

Bet he doesn't drink milk with Human Growth Hormones or GM food.

This story came from the NPR, (National Public Radio)

"what is that old story about keeping your friends

close and your enemies closer?"

CEO of Monsanto Only Buys Organic

Why does the head of USDA Tom Vilsack use the Monsanto Private Jet?

What can we do to stop the complete overtaking of our

world's food supply by Monsanto and their GMO?

Here is a list of ways to do just that:
15 Ways to Take a Stand Against Monsanto and Their GMO's

Exactly What is the Definition of Non Toxic?

Everyday, everywhere that we go we are surrounded by chemicals,

many of which are quite toxic to both humans and animals.

Did you know that our Government is protecting many of the companies

who produce these toxins and we are all put at risk with their blessings?

The myriad of childhood and pet diseases and cancers that are so prevalent now, were practically unheard of 50 years ago.

Why?

Because our environment was not saturated with the number of toxic chemicals that are now choking our water, air and land.

We are all subjected to what can be lethal doses of these toxins every day

and many of us don't even know that they are there.

And if you are waiting for the EPA and FDA to protect you,

don't hold your breath, but then again, maybe you should,

because the air is not what it used to be in many places today!

Deceitful Non Toxic Labeling

What Gives Us the Right to Experiment on Animals?

I have been aware of this story for weeks and was reluctant to put it up,

knowing that children frequently read the content here.

But after reading it again this morning, I feel it should be.

If after you read it, you want to respond, to do something,

please know this.

There are schools everywhere, right now, that are doing the same thing.

Where to begin?

As a lifelong animal lover, I cannot pretend that this is sane, it is not.

Experiments on animals, any animals, are disgusting.

I am a former Nurse, so for those of you who may say

"but what about finding cures for disease, etc.?"

I say this, if experiments to further the understanding of diseases 

need to be done, they should be done with willing participants,

which animals clearly are not.

Many years ago, when one of my most cherished Uncles was dying of cancer,

he went to the hospital and told them to do anything, try anything,

that might help someone else not suffer as much as he did.

He volunteered his life to better others.

The same is not true of animals that are captured and

then experimented on until they either die or are killed.

This is wrong and it needs to end.

How many of you would like to be treated as such?

UBC to Kill Endangered Sea Turtles

We, the Human Race, are arrogant in thinking that

because we do not understand the language of animals,

that what they are saying is not of consequence.

Indeed, the animals are speaking to us and

for their sake and ours, we must start listening.

They've Got a New Attitude at the EPA

Why on Earth is anyone shocked by the new attitude of the EPA,

the Ruling Republican Party in Tallahassee or their stance on the Environment?

In a state ranked last, or next to last, in every category connected to Education and that still has not passed the ERA, you would expect them

to care about an Endangered animal or our Environment?

Florida lawmakers, the EPA and the current Administration are on a new course and it does not look good for our Environment, Education System or Endangered Wildlife.

Activists Appalled by Environmental-Law Changes

$5,000 Reward for Leads to Florida Panther Killer

With so few left to continue their kind, it is unspeakable that anyone, least of all a local Floridian, who must be aware of their desperate state of existence, could shoot and kill the most endangered animal in this Country, the Florida Panther.

When the reward gets high enough, the killers friends or family may even turn them in for the money.

$5,000 Reward for Info on Florida Panther Death