Do You Know If the Food That You Just Ate Was Real or Memorex?

Do you want Human Growth Hormones (HGH) in your milk?

Do you want to eat fish that has been created, (GMO) or is as the

press and food safety groups like to call it, Frankenfish?

Do you know how much Mercury you eat?

Please take a look at the stories below and ask yourself this question:

Should the former lawyer for Monsanto, Michael Taylor, be in charge of the regulations for food product safety at the FDA?

How stupid do they think the American public is and how long do they think that they can get away with this?

Want an answer, take a look at Wall Street today.

It's time for all of us to ask questions and demand answers.

Americans must demand that our food be safe, free of toxins and chemicals and not genetically modified, (GMO).

Neither we, nor our children, nor our pets, should be eating these potentially dangerous foods.

The American Public is not a Lab experiment for big Corporations, the FDA and/or any Government Agency.

We all have the right to know what we are eating.

This group has a petition that you may wish to read and/or sign:

Just Label It

Please, educate yourself and learn more about real food safety:

Unsafe by Definition: Frankenfish

Frankenfish

"Natural" Food Products with Toxic Chemicals

This Much Mercury

Thanks to the FDA, You Really Have No Idea What's in Your Food

USDA Gives Taxpayer Money to Fund Company's Efforts to Genetically Engineer Salmon

Why is the Government Funneling Money to a Company Trying to Feed Us Frankenfish?

Today is a Terrific Twofer!

Two stories on our local news this morning gave cause for celebration.

The City of Ocala says that they have found a way to "rid " themselves of their duck "problem" without killing the ducks.

They will be sending the ducks to a place where they cannot escape they say and that they will not be killed.

And the second joyous story, the Airboat business so determined to set up shop on Lake Toho, has decided to go elsewhere to run his 20 tourist trips a day.

He gave no reason for his decision, but with all of the negative press and sizable numbers of those against him at each of the previous meetings, I think he got the message.

So, two small victories for Florida Wildlife today.

Yes, we can and do make a difference when we get involved and stand up for what is right for Wildlife.

Ocala's New Plan for Ducks

Calling All Parrot Heads

Last week we took a long drive to Indiana for a family reunion.

It had been nearly 12 years since my last one and it was fun being there, but when we got home it was still hot and muggy here, leaving us missing the nice cool weather of the Midwest.

But yesterday, we finally got the break from the 90's Floridians wait seven long months for, our sort of Fall, southern style!

With the morning temperatures yesterday and today in the low 50's, many Floridians are now yearning for the one place where we can really get away from it all, the Keys.

If you have never been down to the Keys, what on earth are you waiting for?

The seemingly endless road work appears to be finished and it's all just waiting there, to take you away.

I can hear Jimmy Buffet calling my name......

Stretch Project Finally Finished

Is this Really a New Plan or Just a Ploy?

The USFWS has come up with a new plan to review a long list of Wildlife to possibly put under the protection of Endangered Species Act.

This move by the current administration may only be a ploy to improve their chilly relationship with Wildlife Advocates who see Obama as not such a good friend to Wildlife at present.

Will all of these strange bedfellows cozy up together for a long winters nap or be thrown out into the cold?

It is going to be a very long campaign season.

The list of the species and the plan are here: ESA Plan

374 Aquatic-Dependent Species May Warrant ESA Protection

Hundreds of Plants and Animals Up for New Protections

Hundreds of Plants Up for Protection

To Hunt or Not to Hunt, That is the Question

When it comes to the critically Endangered Florida Panther, there is little room for error.

Even though the Panthers numbers have remained at a perilous level for half a century, hunters in Florida are demanding that the Big Cypress Preserve be opened up to hunting.

This is the only restaurant that the Panther has and the menu only has a few items on it, most importantly the White Tailed Deer.

If hunters are allowed into this area to kill them, how many will remain for the Panther to survive on?

I live in the Ocala Forest and have seen these same hunters in action, repeatedly.

They travel up and down our local roads with their dogs in cages.

The dogs are kept starving, so that they will hunt better.

After they are released into the woods, the hunters go in and kill at will.

Meanwhile, the dogs can be seen on the side of the road, their ribs hanging out, wearing their radio collars and desperately waiting to be picked up by their owners.

Some are hit and killed on the road, others have ended up lost, trying to get into our local post office or begging at local homes for food.

These are the kind of people who will do the right thing, right?

They would never kill more deer than they are allowed to, right?

So let's see, the Panther has had its habitat chopped to pieces, or virtually eliminated, now they want to take its food, what does that leave?

Maybe we could take the air that they breathe as well?

The hunters have an entire state to hunt in, the Panther has only one place left.

When the deer are all gone, the severely Endangered Florida Panther will of course take what ever it can find; cows, pets, you name it, if you were starving wouldn't you?

Come on people, think about this, it's not rocket science, it's survival.

You can read more about it and then respond/react here: Hunting Management Plan

Florida Panther Population Up to 160

Tree-Huggers and Gun-Toters Trade Barbs

Does It Make Any Sense to Drill In the Everglades?

Lately it seems, an increasing number of elected officials are in favor of drilling in one of the most sensitive Ecosystems on the Planet, the Everglades.

Bachmann wants to drill there and she doesn't even live here.

How could she possibly understand the impact that this action could have?

Then Scott jumped on the bandwagon, saying it might be a good idea, only to recant a few days later, after the fire was lit under him.

Crist even said it might be feasible once and also recanted quickly.

Don't these people see the ongoing impact of the Gulf Disaster as a warning sign of the likely negative possibilities that this move could have on the entire region?

When will the people with all the power start acting like responsible adults, instead of like greedy little children fighting for their own way in the sand box?

We who are not paid elected officials, can see the big picture, when will the politicians?

Everglades Oil Drilling

When it Comes to the Everglades, Everybody Has Their Own Agenda

The Everglades and Lake Okeechobee have been besieged for so long, that it is hard to remember a time when the very mention of their names, did not evoke passionate responses from all sides.

South Florida just wants the water, the developers just want the land and the cattle ranchers just want it all to stay the same.

The one party in this ongoing drama that rarely get asked for their opinion, are the wildlife, who are at the mercy of all of these warring factions.

Now, the Feds have come up with what they think is a great idea, but I guess that depends on whose side you are on.

This story reveals the Government in all its glory, just like the politicians and the lobbyists, their agenda is the best one and we should all just accept that.

In the end, who will profit, who will suffer?

Can you guess?

Agency Takes a New Approach to Save Everglades Land

Broward County Implements New Rule for Manatees

Broward County, which has as many as 927 Manatees, has become a favorite winter home for them, so recently the FWC passed a new rule to protect them during this time.
Beginning November 15 and going until March 31, Florida boaters will have to slow down, not just on the weekends, but during the week too.

FWC Protects Manatees with New Rule

Store Your Trash Florida and Save a Bear!

The Florida FWC has sent out a great news memo for us all to adhere to this Fall, stash your garbage and save a Bear.

All Bears are getting ready for winter and are eating everything in sight.

The recent tragic deaths involving Bears and their cubs here in Central Florida were a direct result of them getting into trouble when thoughtless homeowners left food out where the Bears could get at it.

This is the hungriest time of the year for Bears and they will take advantage of any food that their paws can reach!

If you would like to get a Bear proof trash can, contact your local Trash Collector.

So be Bear aware and put your trash where they cannot get into it,
or it is on you if they get into trouble!

Stash Your Garbage

Disasters Bring Out the Best in People

Although the state of Florida did not take a direct hit from Hurricane Irene, our Eastern Coastal areas and the wild things that live there were very much impacted by the Hurricane's high tides and big waves.

Hundreds of hatchlings were brought to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach by good Florida citizens who wanted to help the latest victims of Irene.

When we see helpless things in need, how can we not?

700 Sea Turtle Nests Washed Out by Hurricane Irene

Sea Turtles Washed Out by Irene

Sea Turtles Affected by Hurricane Irene

Florida's First People

Today's Blog is not about an Endangered Florida species, but about one that has already gone, it is about the Timucuan Indians of Florida.

Our home is on land where these people once lived.

The St. John's River not far from us, was of great historical importance to the Timucuans and several other local tribes here in Central Florida.

These Ancient Indians, who were here long before any outsiders stepped foot on Florida, are rarely spoken of in local schools, in the news or even on web sites which claim to be historical reference places for their individual counties.

This is sad because so many of the names and places here reflect their importance and the influence of these Ancient people on not only this area, but on the entire state of Florida.

Here are a few places to learn more about the First People of Florida:

Exploring Early Florida

Missions, Timucuans and the Aucilla

Overview of Native History

Timucuans

True Natives

A Follow Up on the Condemned Ducks of Ocala

For the original story about the Ducks of Ocala, please see the posting below:
This Plan is Unacceptable.
OK, maybe the world is not a completely cold, cynical place after all!

Maybe people do care about what happens to animals.
Some people, not all people.

But, people did respond to this disturbing story in a very big way, bless their little hearts.

At this time, there is no other news about the situation.

Will keep an up to date posting here, if and/or when, anything new happens.

Ocala's Duck Problem Has Become A Major Public Relations Problem

Can We Stop the Invasion of Florida?

Most people in Florida know about the Burmese Pythons that have taken over the Everglades.

Really stupid people buy these snakes, find out how much it costs to feed them and then dump them in the nearest body of water.

Since many of these exotic snake owners live in South Florida, they usually end up in the Everglades, where they are now swallowing up every living thing in this already highly Endangered Ecosystem.

These snakes are everybody's problem now!

Our Senator Bill Nelson has written a Bill that addresses the snake problem, but snakes are not the only invasive species in Florida.

So, we have to deal with not only invasive animals, but invasive plants as well and they are all doing the same thing to our beautiful state, eating it all up, one bite at a time!

Florida's Invasive Species

Nonnative Species in Florida

Stopping Invasive Species Before They Invade

Probably Not a Subject You Think Much About

Unless you live in Florida and have been down to the Keys, you may not even be aware that the only coral Reef in the continental U.S. is there.

The coral that live in the pristinely beautiful Keys National Marine Sanctuary, just off of the Florida Coast, have already suffered from extreme weather conditions, like cold and heat, now they are catching a disease called White Pox, from us!

Caribbean Coral Catch Disease from Sewage

Bacteria: The New Pirates of the Caribbean

This Plan is Unacceptable

No, this duck is not an Endangered Species in Florida, in fact they are not a native bird here at all.

And, if you live anywhere else, this may seem pretty trivial.

They are after all, just a bunch of ducks, right?

There is a town near us called Ocala and they are having a problem with some ducks and the answer that they have come up with for the second time, is to kill all of them.

Has anyone considered giving these unwanted ducks to people who might want them for pets or to put in the ponds on their property?

Aren't there parks all over the US where they may, perhaps be sent to live?

It seems like there just has to be another choice besides killing all of them, again.

This story describing the Ocala City Council's plan is sickening and if after reading it, you too are sickened, please make a call!

Ocala City Council to Kill Ducks

Is Today a Good Day for the Everglades?

The story below is both disturbing and hopeful.

The author's observations seem to be more than just a little biased, especially considering her recent remarks about Eric Draper.

The Federal Government never ceases to amaze, first they can barely agree to work together on the US economy, now the USDA has handed Florida a $100 million check to restore the Northern Everglades.

Local farmers claim to have demonstrated that it is possible to farm without destroying the environment, having for the 16th consecutive year reduced the amount of released phosphorus and this year they claim to have increased from their average of 55% up to 79%.

Eric Draper of Audubon says it can get better, but let's take a moment to smile.

People on both sides are saying how great this all will be for the Everglades, but hold on.

Who will actually get the check?

If it ends up in Governor Scott's hands, will he really spend it on the Everglades?

So, who's hands will the check really end up in?

Will they be transparent in their dispersal of the funds?

Or will it all end up in some account hidden to be used after the smoke has all cleared?

And, if most of this money is spent on buying land, how will that restore the Everglades?

Do we really think that everyone will just do the right thing with that kind of money?

Jackpot of a News Day in Everglades

The Tiny Miami Blue Gets a Tiny Break

This tiny, rare butterfly, the Miami Blue, has only one place on Earth to live safely, well as safely as it can in a hostile world for butterflies, the Florida Keys.

Today the USFWS gave this butterfly about the size of your thumbnail, a little smile and a little wink and said, "Ok, we will protect you for 240 days."

This emergency action came only after many years of ignoring the problems that it faced.

The agency has been targeted by countless environmental groups since 1984, for its failure to protect the butterfly, which by now, has barley enough genetic pool left to sustain it, with less than 50 adults remaining and a new invader in the form of non native iguanas, who eat the flowers that the butterfly needs to live.

Thanks to all of the passionate people and environmental groups who kept after FWS and perhaps, for a moment at least, giving the Miami Blue a tiny chance.

Another South Florida Species Declared Endangered in Emergency Action

Endangered Butterfly Gets Emergency Federal Protection

Rare Florida Butterfly Gets Protection

Can You Love a Manatee Too Much?

You probably don't want to ask this question of me or my three children.

Back in the 70's on our first trip to Central Florida to visit my parents, we went to Blue Springs State Park to see the Manatees.

While we were there, we were allowed to get into the water and be "loved" by these graceful, docile, trusting animals.

Having them touch you and nudge you, exploring you like they were just as curious about you, as you were about them, was a once in a lifetime experience.

It was the kind of thing that stays with you all of your life, it changes you, it makes you want to protect them, no matter what.

So, in answer to the question asked in this story today, for me, for us, the answer was, is, no.

We can never love any animal too much.

I believe that humans were put on the earth to watch over the animals, not to use them or abuse them.

And as long as I am still breathing, I will always be watching out for the animals.

Can You Love a Manatee Too Much?

Florida Orthodontist Performs Miraculous Procedure on Green Sea Turtle

Humans are a curious lot.

Just when you think that they are mostly reckless and selfish, an event like this brings it all back to center.

A medical team in Juno Beach, Florida headed up Dr. Alberto Vargas, went to work at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and accomplished something that may have never been done before.

This dedicated team of talented professionals donated many hours of their own time working valiantly to clear up infections and repair the badly damaged shell of "Andre" a green sea turtle who had been run over by a boat propeller.

Surrounded by a huge joyous crowd, Andre, after a year of intensive care, was finally sent back to the sea whence he came from yesterday.

Bless you Dr. Vargas, may it all come back to you and your team tenfold~

Florida Sea Turtle Gets High Tech Medicine
Endangered Sea Turtle Returns to the Sea

Can a Sign Help Save a Life?

These new signs graciously put up by Lamar Advertising in the area with the highest mortality rate for the Florida Panther just may do that.

Perhaps, if more people spent more time looking after Endangered Wildlife, we humans could end up being the good guys after all.

Slowing Down in Panther Country