2012, A Most Tumultuous, Turbulent Year

 

The Florida Everglades, Protecting Paradise

This was a frequently unnerving year for those of us who care for wild anything's.

Politicians and Lobbyists have been fighting non stop to undo any and all safeguards for animals and plants in every state in America.

So where do we stand right now?

Sometimes, the players are barely recognizable, but money is clearly the controlling factor in it all.

Not sure if it is a good or bad thing, but the number one recipient of my 2012 emails, etc.

Lisa Jackson, the head of the EPA, has just notified Washington that that she is out.

Who will take her place?

My greatest fear is that it could be the former lawyer for Monsanto, Michael Taylor,

who has a vise grip on the FDA's food policies right now and has been pushing GMO foods hard.

What ever your opinion on GMO's, the final word is that we still just don't really know if they are safe or not and until we do, no one should be forced to eat them without their consent or knowledge.

Say hello to 2013, we all could use a little break~

If only.....

 

              Our Florida Panther

This has been a good year for so many of Florida's Endangered or Threatened wildlife,

and if only this posting could end right here.

But tragically, this has been the very worst year on record for our

beautiful Florida Panthers and as of today, 25 have been killed.

We do not have 25 of them to spare.

So many people and organizations are dedicated to saving this beautiful animal,

that when they keep dying in spite of all of the precautions, protections and safety efforts,

it is just so disheartening.

Areas have been set aside just for them, conservation laws have been put in place just for them,

heaven and earth have been moved for them, but they simply cannot overcome the

single deadliest occurrence that continues to take most of their lives, humans driving cars.

Of the 25 Panthers killed this year, 17 were killed by cars.

This is an unacceptable outrage.

The Florida Panther is without a doubt, the most Endangered animal in North America,

perhaps in the world and it is appalling that with all of our advanced scientific technology,

Conservation organizations and indefatigably devoted Biologists and volunteers,

that we cannot seem to stop their continual deaths.

What else, what more, can we do?

Well some one, some group, some agency, had better come up with a new idea, an effective

working plan and soon because there are now barely only one hundred or so of them left.

And one day very soon, this critically Endangered mammal's extremely small gene pool

could lead to the physical anomalies that may end the species altogether.

Panthers On The Verge Of Extinction

Keep Your Grimy, Greedy Paws Off Of Our State!

 

       A Florida Manatee

Today's posting is something that needs to be said for those of you who do not live in the  " Sunshine State. "

Today is simply the last straw, as far as I am concerned, with continual interference from outsiders, in what should concern only the residents of this state.

This latest affront comes from a California group trying to interfere in Florida wildlife matters.

This time it is about our beloved Endangered Manatees and this group wants to have them taken off of the Endangered Species List because too many boaters and others are being "inconvenienced" by the rules put in place to protect them.

This mess will end up in court, of course and will take time to hash out, but that is not what is most important here.

What matters most, is that once again an outsider is trying to take control away from Florida about something they should have no business in control of to begin with.

The beautiful Silver Springs area is being run by a California company and there is a lot of confusion right now about exactly what is to become of this natural wonder.

California has a contract to keep running the tour boats there for many years to come, so who knows what will become of the Springs.

And then there is, again, a California water bottling company here in Lake County that has been allowed to set up their company for  "free" and drain our precious water supply to send it out of state and all over the country.

We have had a serious drought here this year and water levels are at dangerous levels right now and yet this out of state company continues pumping it out of the ground, " for free. "

It is exasperating for those who are trying so hard to protect the fragile eco-systems here, only to see the complete disrespect shown by these outsiders for everything that we treasure.

One thing is very clear to all of us though, money and greed are at the root of it all.

Those with the most money, are buying the right to run amuck in our state and we are losing this wondrous place that we love to greedy outsiders.

Group Seeks To Remove Manatee's Endangered Status

Something Special to Share

 

        The Florida Everglades

As you can imagine, I receive hundreds of emails each week with news and

stories about wildlife and the environment, but recently one particular Blog

and posting impressed me so much, that I wanted to share it with you.

This Blog comes from the people at the Endangered Species Coalition,

a powerful watch dog organization that continually keeps everyone involved

with wildlife and the environment in its crosshairs.

Fearing no one and no agency, this group has worked diligently for many

years to protect and preserve all that is beautiful here on Planet Earth.

This particular Blog posting is concerned with water, which as you know,

if you are a regular reader of my Blogs, is one of my highest priority topics

because water is the alpha and omega to every living thing on our Earth.

So let me introduce you to my newest favorite Blog and

this very important recent Posting by Mitch Merry:

The Stop Extinction Blog: Troubled Waters

When All Of The Water Is Brown~

 

      Beautiful Alexander Springs

Reading this story has scared me enough to engage in a personal campaign

to bring public awareness to this alarming, impending Florida disaster.

The beautiful natural springs that have always made Florida a rare and

treasured place to live and visit, are disappearing and/or turning toxic.

As a Florida resident of only the past eight years, I know that I don't speak with

the level of authority of those born and raised here, but even someone new can

see that this is going to end badly for every living thing in this state.

Please read this story and if you care about water, and you should care a lot about your water,

for the love of everything alive on the Planet, get involved in reversing this eco-train wreck.

Water is the only thing that matters, when it ceases, so does all life.

Florida's Vanishing Springs