Let's All Go Native~

 

The Everglades, an exquisite Florida Natural Area

The 19th Annual Public Interest Environmental Conference is this weekend at the University of Florida and their guest speaker is suggesting that there are things we can all do right now, to help protect the Endangered Wildlife and the fragile Ecosystems of Florida from rising sea levels and erosion.

Whitney Gray is from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and what she wants us all to do, is really a total recall of the 70's movement of going Native.

Gray wants us all to reuse and recycle till it hurts and she also want us to let nature take it's course in our yards, or just go native!

All of the great ideas that Ms. Gray is offering this weekend in Gainesville, are things that we have already been doing forever, except for the yard part, which we began doing when we moved to Florida years ago, for the benefit of Harriet, our resident Gopher Tortoise.

Harriet, who is quite picky about her diet, scours all over our property, hunting carefully for her favorite "wild things" to eat.

So, what she finds to eat here, is not only what she likes, it is exactly what she needs.

We use no poisons on our property because of her and our Airedale Breanna.

Wish I had read this story sooner, would have loved to have heard her in person.

How Endangered Species Adapt

This Invasion is Not Coming From Outer Space

When the rest of the country thinks of an Invasive Species in Florida, they are

probably only familiar with the now infamous Burmese Pythons in the Everglades.

But in fact, there are many threats to our fragile wildlife and ecosystems here.

Right now, other than the very scary, to me, snakes, which are here by the thousands,

there are a number of other creatures wreaking havoc on, not only our wildlife,

but on our all ready maxed out to the limit economy, as well.

You see trying to keep up with these non stop invaders, is a $130 Billion, that is billion with a B, effort in this state.

The last time that we went down to the Keys, we were sitting in a gas station in Miami when a very large creature appeared right in front of our car, it was an exotic alright, it was a huge, wild, green iguana.

It would not be the only one we saw on our way back to the Freeway.

No, they are not native here and much of Miami now looks like a zoo because of the out of control numbers of them running the streets, more than likely the result of countless owners who tired of feeding them and just threw them out for the community to deal with.

As a matter of fact, this is exactly how most of these invaders became the huge problem in Florida that they are now.

Selfish, bored, stupid owners who just threw them away.

The exotic species now running amuck in South Florida include: wild Toads, no not the Disney ride, wild rats, wild birds, wild fish, wild or feral pigs, multiple kinds of lizards and a scary species of Crocodile, called the Nile Croc, which in its Native Africa, is a man-eater.

And none of this even begins to cover all of the invasive plants that are now here, doing exactly the same kind of lethal damage to their Native counterparts as well.

It is all simply mind boggling.

And we Floridians have to pay for and deal with all of this because no one has the guts to stop the sale of these exotics once and for all in Florida and indeed the whole Country.

The root for the gluttony of invasive animals, is of course, money.

There is very big money to be made in the business of catching, stealing and selling multiple species of exotics here.

But, the worse part of all of this is, that they are not just a financial problem, they are devouring and driving off or displacing our beautiful Native Florida wildlife, in sickening record numbers in the entire state.

An excellent story with all of the gory details about the exotics invasion of Florida:

Invasive Species Threatening Florida

Is America Still The Land Of The Free?

 

Well finally, someone in this state woke up and said, whoa we have to stop this, now.

Some believe that Scott has run Florida like a Gestapo state, since taking over in 2010.

His attitude in most everything to date, has pretty much been, I am the Governor of this state and I will do exactly as I please, period.

He did after all, spend $70 million of his own money to become the Governor of Florida and believes, I am sure, that this bought him the right to run this state however he sees fit.

Scott's intentions in this matter are "Crystal" clear, those growers who have in the past flooded with no fear of any reprisals, unlimited amounts of toxins into the Everglades and will be allowed, if he gets his way, to renew 30 year no-bid leases, without the public even having a say in it.

Is America still a Democracy?

What these farmers, these powerful growers of sugar and vegetables, do to the land with their poisons, their chemicals, is lethal to both the Everglades and all of the living things that call it home.

Below are two versions of the same story, please read one or both of them and if you care about the Everglades, or if you live near them, your drinking water, please get on your computer, or your phone and tell this man that you will not stand for this kind of dictatorship Government in Florida.

We demand to have a voice in what is being done to our Environment, our wildlife and our wild places here.

The last time I checked, Florida was still part of a Democracy, we have not become a Communist Country yet, have we?

Wildlife Federation Sues Rick Scott

Wildlife Group Challenges No-Bid Leases

Meet Nancy And Rick

 

Rewards do indeed come for those who are patient.

Yesterday, there was nothing of any critical nature to post,

so I relaxed and enjoyed the Super Bowl.

But overnight, something did come to me that must be shared.

There are two people in Mississippi, who are doing what we all should be doing,

seeing trash and garbage in Nature and choosing not to ignore it.

For the past six months or so, this couple has been picking up the garbage left behind in their beloved Bayous, by ignorant, thoughtless jerks who care for nothing, but themselves.

The story about their awesome deeds made the local area news and as they have

recently become my friends on Facebook, I would like to introduce them to you.

So, here is the inspiring story of these two selfless people who think more of

Wild Places and Wildlife, than themselves, what a unique concept~

Couple Cleaning Out The Bayous

Are There No Pressing Issues On This Day?

 

Have not received anything recently, so happily will claim on this most rare of days,

that things are possibly not so bad for our Florida Endangered Wildlife.

Will post if anything does come up in the next few days.

Until then, enjoy the Super Bowl~

It Works For People, Why Not For Panthers?

 

There are at least 20 places in Thailand right now, that are storing sperm and cells for many

Critically Endangered animals, so why can't we do this in Florida for the Panther,

who is on the absolute brink of extinction?

The Thai Government is working in tandem with Zoos and Wildlife Conservation Institutions.

Well, we have these in this country, so why aren't we doing the same thing here?

If it works for the Panthers, we could then move on to other mammals, like the Right Whale, etc.

We have to do something, because so far, nothing else has worked for either of them.

Human interference is keeping both of them from making any kind of recovery.

Scientists are supposed to be the ones who "think outside of the box."

Ok, so it's time to start a new plan.

Wildlife Sperm Banks Established

Who Will Cry For The Animals?

 
Today is a very sad day for my family, as one its most admired members has passed.

Over the past three days, there have been so many prayers, kind words

and loving thoughts posted on each of our Facebook pages, which is

of course, to be expected at this time of sorrow and remembrance.

But last night, knowing that today at the church most of this part of my family attends,

there will be much said and done to show affection and respect for this person, that

instead of sleeping, I was thinking about all of the animals who die every day

and wondered if anyone will cry or pray for them.

Sadly, many animals die at the hands of humans for their body parts;

their tusks, fur, skins, antlers, horns, and appendages,

others die merely for sport and saddest of all,  some die just for spite.

Does anyone cry for any of them?

Do you? If not, why not?

Are not their lives just as important as a humans?

My hope in writing about what must seem ghastly, or even repugnant to some,

or perhaps all, is that maybe you might have never thought about this before.

So, if you have not, maybe today, you will think about an animal that you know

has died and feel sad, or maybe even shed a tear for it.

And I am not talking about our pets when I say this, I am talking about animals that

you know nothing about, you know, the one with no names or families to love them.

Maybe today will be the day you choose to help stop the needless deaths

of so many animals on this planet, who have no voice.
Will this be the day that you choose to become a voice for the voiceless
and just maybe, perhaps cry for them when they die?

So Much To Choose From In Florida

 

If like me, you love the environment and all of the wild things in it

and wish to help them all to live to be very old,

Florida is your kind of place.

In this one state, there are so many causes to join, animals to defend, places to protect,

or speak out about, that it can all be just a bit overwhelming.

So, after living here for the past 8 or so years, I have gathered some information about

the most needy things here and the groups dedicated to saving and or protecting them.

This is an abbreviated list of what Florida has, to help get you involved

and on the road to making a difference:

The Florida Everglades

The Florida Panther

Whooping Cranes

Right Whales

Sea Turtles

Manatees

and lastly, more Birds than you can count on your fingers and toes~

So, to begin your quest in helping to save any and every wonderful thing in Florida,

here are just a few of the many places you might begin:

Florida Audubon

The Everglades

Florida Panthers

Whooping Cranes

Right Whales

Sea Turtles

Manatees

26 Acts

 
A Key Deer Fawn

As the 2012 year end post was so very sad, I choose to begin 2013 with more hopeful thinking.
Lately, the world all around us has become so violent and ugly that sometimes I just want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head, but that would serve no purpose really.
So, in light of the recent sad news everywhere, I wish to believe that 2013 will be, must be, a better year not only for all of the fragile, delicate things that I love, but for the entire Human Race as well.
If each of us does what was suggested by someone right after Newtown, that we all might voluntarily commit 26 random acts of kindness, couldn't that also include our out there on the edge, hanging on by just a thread, endangered plants and wildlife on the planet too?
So, nice to meet you New Year 2013 and I would like to let you know, that I have already begun those 26 random acts of kindness this week and intend to continue doing them all year long, wherever I just happen to be.

It can't hurt and it just makes you feel so good~

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

Who Isn't A Sucker For A Baby Turtle?

 

I always go out of my way to look for any news stories about Sea Turtles  because they
are just so darn easy to love.

This year was a record breaker for turtle hatchings in Florida, so when Hurricane Sandy came,

my first thoughts were of them, hoping that they could survive the onslaught of the storm.

But, thankfully, I didn't have a great deal to worry about because most of them had already

hatched and gone out to sea to begin their new lives before Sandy ever got here.

Yes, there were some scattered reports of some nests and babies being lost, but considering the enormity, the overwhelming scope of this disaster, it could have been so much worse for many of them.

Georgia State Wildlife Biologist Mark Dodd, says that losses from storms are
" a part of the turtle's natural life cycle. "

As the massive storm neared each area projected to be affected, biologists and volunteers quickly went to work rescuing baby turtles all along the East Coast.

Overall, Sea Turtle numbers are still quite strong.

Thankfully, they dodged a really big one this time, so we will all be able to enjoy their presence for many years to come on our beautiful Atlantic Coast Beaches.

Baby Sea Turtles Weather Most Of Sandy's Big Surge

Hoping For A Better Year For The Right Whale

 

Last year was a really bad year for this most Endangered Whale on the planet, with only six calves being born, making it the lowest number of births in 10 years.

Average has been at about 20 per year, so this was a fairly dramatic drop.

Experts are now waiting, watching and hoping that this years numbers will improve.

The thinking for last years alarming low birth rate was the poor food supplies near Canada, where they feed until coming south to Florida and Georgia to give birth to their calves.

Here in Florida, the viewing or whale watching season for the Right Whales' birthing migration, goes from the middle of November until about the end of March.

This most endangered whale still has worrisome numbers at about 400, so this season may prove to be another nail biter for devoted whale lovers.

It seems that their only enemies are the US Navy and the big ships that insist on invading their meager travel lanes along the Atlantic Coast.

Come on, can't we give them some room to stay alive in?

We have gone up the Coast to Flagler twice to see them pass by, with no luck.

Whether we get to see them or not, here's hoping they go forth and multiply~

Endangered Right Whales Head South To Give Birth

The Florida Wildlife Corridor

 
For those of you who do not have the privilege of being a resident of the Sunshine State, this story about a new Exhibit may give you an insiders look at the reasons we Floridians fight so hard to protect the Natural Beauty that is found here.

The beautiful pictures on display illustrate the things we have here that are nowhere else and why we will not ever give up, or give in.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas and former Governor Lawton Chiles were only two of many dedicated Wildlife protectors, who have defended Florida against those who meant to strip her beauty barren.

The Photographic Exhibit will be on display in Museum of Botany and Arts in Sarasota, until just about the end of this month.

If you can, please take a short journey to the Gulf Coast to see the "real" Florida and learn about the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Florida Wildlife Corridor Images Show Natural Beauty

About Next Tuesday.....

 

Next Tuesday voters in this Country will be making choices that will affect not only their lives, but those of the Planet and the things that live in and on it.

These are the non human items that take forever to get on a Ballot and then become so changed over time, that their supporters barely recognize them.

In every state across this vast land, there will be so many issues and agendas represented on these ballots, that making correct choices for them will be made quite difficult.

In some cases, this is very deliberate, in others, perhaps not.

The point is, that as a free country or Democracy, we are supposed to have freedom of choice, this is one of those civil rights all Americans are guaranteed by the 15th Amendment of the Constitution.

This is where the confusion begins.

Somehow along the way, Amendments, Addendums and the like, have been allowed to become so deliberately confusing, that many feel only a lawyer could really decipher them.

So, your Ballots next week will have not only human choices, but written ones as well.

They have been put in place and written very carefully to hide in some cases, things that you may not have chosen, if you had understood what they really said.

Confused yet?

This is no accident, and this mess is called the Electoral process.

What a strange definition for deceit this has all become.

So, what am I trying to say, you may implore?

Merely this, for God's sake and for the sake of every living thing that has no voice, read and understand what you are voting for in that booth on Tuesday.

A great deal is at stake for them too.

And one last thing that was just on our news this morning, if you leave any boxes blank on your Ballot, some unscrupulous person may just fill them in for you!

Please do think about that before leaving any boxes blank or unchecked!

What Does Clean Water Mean To You And Me?

 

As we celebrate the Clean Water Act this month, two things are really bugging me.

First, wildlife is still dying in the Gulf from the Eco-nightmare that the selfish oil people made of a spectacularly beautiful place, I know this because I have swam in the Gulf and been in awe of its pristine beauty for many years.

Oh,  you thought that BP and the nice oil people took care of the mess that they made there?

Think again, they have not.

3 Mile Oil Slick In Gulf Confirmed As BP Oil

Then there is our ever besieged Everglades Ecosystem, which is still fighting for its life everyday against the overwhelming big money machines that run South Florida, who see this entire area as only a minor impediment on their way to paving over and building over everything natural in the state.

How The Clean Water Act Protects The River Of Grass

Do I sound just a little hostile, you bet.

The Gulf and the Everglades have a great deal in common, neither of them can vote or write big checks to polluters, so they are abused and pushed aside.

It is up to those of us with opposable thumbs to speak up and vote and do whatever it takes to stop these big money Wildlife Butchers.

If Marjorie were alive today, she would be at the head of the line taking all of these people on, but she has waged her last battle.

God Bless her for the many, many years that she fought against them, she was devoted to saving the Everglades.
When will we get a Governor, or any politicians in this state, who will stand up to the Sugar people, the builders and the legions of selfish people who care nothing about the future of Florida and its wonderful natural beauty, only where their next check or guilty pleasure is coming from?

Our Environment cannot protect or defend itself, it needs us to speak and act on its behalf, now!

There, got that out of my system.

Next!!

The Joys And Sorrows Of Fall In The Forest

  

              

Finally this morning, the day that we all wait for came, the temperature this morning here in the Ocala Forest was a crispy 49 degrees.

Now this was a joyous event for those of us who have suffered for the past six months in 90+ degrees,
98% humidity here, but for the beloved critters around my house, it is now time for "see 'ya later."

None of my "children" the tiny green treefrogs or the beautiful green lizards (anoles) have shown up for the past two days on the front porch or been spied climbing up the lattice at the edge of it, where they usually love to hang out all day.

For all of them, I guess it is time to find a warm place to wait it out.

Surprisingly though, our Gopher Tortoise "Harriet," who has been MIA for several months, has now decided to reappear in the front yard, eating ferociously every day this week.

Not sure what this means, usually she disappears right about now for the winter?

It has been a strange summer for all of us, extremely hot and dry, where it should be tropical.

Not very good for anything that walks, crawls or flies around here.

Our lakes have all suffered and the wildlife right along with them from the extreme drought.

So, this new season that is now apparently finally upon us, brings the usual double edged sword, better weather for humans, but a going away party for the creatures we love so much.