Thank you Florida Forever!

Fred George Basin in Leon County would not have been saved without critical funding provided by the state’s Florida Forever land acquisition grant program. Thank you Florida Forever!

Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin. Photo courtesy Rich Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.

Ecotourism in Florida: Take Birding, Biking to the Bank
Editorial
Lakeland Ledger
Published Sunday, January 2, 2011

New census figures last month pegged Florida's population at 18.8 million residents. "With a gain of more than 2.8 million people [this past decade], it is clear that, even in these tough economic times, Florida is a thriving state rich with opportunity," said Gov.-elect Rick Scott.

Scott's 7-7-7 plan envisions seven steps to create 700,000 new jobs in Florida over the next seven years. Not surprisingly, former business CEO Scott thinks most of those steps should involve cutting taxes, shrinking government and eliminating regulations on the private-sector.

"Find me 700,000 jobs and I'll do pretty much anything," Scott said at one meeting with state lawmakers.

But as a businessman, Scott must realize that sometimes you have to invest money to make money. And that's as true in government as it is in business.

With the state's multibillion-dollar tourist industry hurting, Scott is proposing doubling Florida's tourism promotion budget to $62.5 million.

That's a good start, but it's only a beginning.

Consider the potential of nature-based tourism -- ecotourism -- in Florida. In the first half of this decade, for instance, birders and wildlife watchers spent $3.1 billion in Florida. Add the potential economic impact of hiking, camping, cycling, kayaking, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities, and the potential payback to businesses and to entrepreneurs who cater to ecotourists is enormous.

But in a state that will likely top 20 million people in the next decade, protecting the natural assets that make Florida a nature-lover's paradise is paramount. Here are three things Scott and the Legislature should invest in to help preserve and grow nature-based tourism in the Sunshine State:

FUND FLORIDA FOREVER

Floridians have been investing in the acquisition and preservation of unspoiled beaches, wetlands, forests, uplands and prairies since the administration of Reubin Askew. In a state known for its urban sprawl and unbridled growth, the 2.4 million acres of public lands preserved form the backbone of "natural" Florida. The economic payback on that investment now and in the years to come is incalculable.

"Florida enjoys a $65 billion annual tourism industry that is inextricably linked to the utilization and enjoyment of our state's natural resources. Florida Forever and its predecessor Preservation 2000 are largely responsible for these protected natural resources that Floridians and visitors enjoy," says a 2009 study by the Nature Conservancy on the economic benefits of land conservation. "Tourism is Florida's largest single economic engine, and it can be sustainable provided that we conserve enough of what makes our state special."

SUPPORT STATE PARKS

Our state park system has been recognized as one of the best in America. State parks attract 21 million visitors a year and impact local economies to the tune of more than $1 billion annually.

The Nature Conservancy report determined that "for every 1,000 people attending a state park, the total direct impact on the local community is more than $43,400."

Consider Colk Creek State Park. Opened in 2007, it was the first new state park in Polk County in 30 years. The park is located on the 5,067-acre site of a former ranch in the Green Swamp off County Road 471, just north of U.S. 98. Its habitat ranges from cypress swamps to pine forests.

The natural site and its varied wildlife draw a steady stream of bird-watchers and other nature enthusiasts.

COMMIT TO TRAILS

Florida has more than 5,000 miles of recreational trails, and more than 4 million visitors a year use them to hike, bike and canoe. Florida's recreational trail system has been recognized as the best in the nation. The state's master plan for greenways and trails calls for connecting many of the state's most popular trails into a statewide system to link cities, towns and rural areas throughout the peninsula.

As Gov.-elect Scott searches for new jobs, he ought to realize that Florida's green assets are eminently marketable. But it will also require continued public investment to preserve, protect and expand those assets.

Turning Florida green into gold isn't alchemy but rather basic business sense.

HOW TO HELP
Support Florida Forever Coalition, of which Wildwood Preservation Society is a member. For writing your legislator and other action items click here.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Good news for Wood Storks in South Florida!

Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, Leon County.

Environmental groups achieve wetland protections in settlement of two lawsuits near Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
By Aislinn Maestas
National Wildlife Federation

A coalition of five environmental groups, including National Wildlife Federation and Florida Wildlife Federation, has settled two lawsuits in exchange for significantly increased wetland and habitat protections. The coalition has been opposing several proposed residential and golf projects in the ecologically important Cocohatchee Slough near Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Florida.

After over four years of litigation and several iterations of project permits, the environmental coalition and developer G.L. Homes of Sunrise, Florida, have agreed to over 200 additional acres of wetland impact reductions, restoration of endangered wood stork habitat, and relocation of Logan Boulevard onto old farm fields instead of through wetlands. This is in addition to $3 million of additional offsite mitigation secured in previous litigation on Saturnia Falls. Joining NWF and FWF in this victory are Audubon of Florida, Collier County Audubon Society, and Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The settlement of these two federal lawsuits was preceded by other coalition legal actions at the state level challenging impacts to downstream water quality, flood protection and aquifer recharge, in addition to wetland and wildlife harm. All these water resource factors will benefit greatly from the significantly increased levels of wetland protection and restoration in this settlement.

In addition to these very positive results for wood storks and other imperiled species plus water resources, the same environmental coalition had earlier in October 2009 won a federal lawsuit against another residential golf course project called Mirasol which would destroy over 600 acres of unique wetlands in the same Cocohatchee Slough which emanates from Corkscrew Swamp. That is well over twice the acreage of wetlands destroyed on Parklands Collier and Saturnia Falls combined. In that decision a Southern District Court judge revoked Mirasol’s permit based on complaints over illegal wetland and wildlife impacts.

Jan Goldman-Carter, Water Resources Counsel for National Wildlife Federation, observed, “The revocation of the Mirasol permit offers another opportunity for the Army Corps and the South Florida Water Management District to require the avoidance of additional wetland, water and habitat impacts, additional protection, and true habitat restoration on the Mirasol site.”

Mirasol’s destruction of wetlands, combined with other wetland losses in the region, would have devastating effects on the wood stork nesting colonies at Corkscrew Swamp, the largest in the nation and vital to the species’ recovery. This cumulative destruction would also harm downstream water quality, flood protection, and water supply for the region.

Looking for opportunities to prevent further destruction of wetlands and habitat, the environmental groups are also working with state and federal agencies to improve the way they permit and compensate for wetland losses incurred when development is sited in Florida wetlands. Recommendations currently under consideration could significantly reduce or eliminate such impacts before the projects end up in court, wasting time and money, or worse, getting built and irrevocably destroying habitat for declining wildlife throughout Florida and harming the public’s interest in protection of vital water resources.



Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Florida environmental and wildlife news for the week ending 4-9-10

FEATURED STORIES

Crist links jobs, environment during Florida Forever rally

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Related: Top 10 at-risk land purchase areas listed

Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday told a rally at the Capitol that the state's land-buying program is critical to the Florida's tourism economy.

Opportunity Knocks For FL Preservation

By Glen Gardner

Public News Service Florida

Those hoping to preserve quickly-vanishing wildlife habitat in Florida will be delivering a message at the State Capitol Wednesday, centering on the Forever Florida program, which is the largest land-buying program in the country.

Florida Supreme Court raises its own questions about Everglades land deal

By Andy Reid

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Related: Everglades land deals and Big Sugar battles head to Florida Supreme Court

After nearly two years of political fights and legal battles over Gov. Charlie Crist's Everglades-restoration land deal, the Florida Supreme Court now will decide whether the public benefit is worth the cost to South Florida taxpayers.

Momentum for renewable-energy legislation lacking

By Mary Ellen Klas

St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau

In the last legislative session before his death, state Sen. Jim King tirelessly pushed for an energy compromise to reduce the amount of dirty fuel the state uses to produce electricity.

Committee bill would remove climate change language in state law

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

A proposed energy bill filed Wednesday by the House Energy & Utilities Committee appears to remove language in state law that addresses climate change and requires utilities to increase the amount of renewable energy they provide to customers.

Water bill squeaks out of committee amid opposition

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

SB 550, dubbed the "mega-water bill" that includes springs protection measures, barely passed a Senate committee on Tuesday after development groups raised concerns about its septic tank requirements.

Endangered wood storks.

THE BIG OIL ROUNDUP

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 4-9-10:

160-Square-Mile Oil Spill Fouls Mississippi Delta Wildlife Refuge

Staff Report

Environment News Service

An 18,000 gallon spill of crude oil from a pipeline into the Delta National Wildlife Refuge has personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, the state of Louisiana, and the Cypress Pipe Line Company scrambling to contain the spreading mess.

Thousands of gallons of crude oil spill into Louisiana wildlife refuge

By Niki Fears

Environmental News Examiner

The Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana is currently under threat from a recent pipe line disaster that has spilled at least 18,000 gallons of deadly crude oil into the waters of the wildlife refuge.

Spilled crude oil encroaching on Delta National Wildlife Refuge on the Louisiana coast. We want this here?

Obama Plan May Revive Offshore Oil

By Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lakeland Ledger

While it appeared a House Republican plan to open state waters to oil and gas exploration was not likely to happen this year, the proposal got an unexpected boost from a leading Democrat.

Obama's Offshore Drilling Pitch Sways Few Fence-Sitters on Climate Bill

By Mike Soraghan

New York Times

It's often said in Washington that if you anger both liberals and conservatives, you must be doing something right.

No-take fishing zone is 30 miles from proposed drilling buffer

By Kevin Wadlow

Florida Keys Keynoter

“This could come very close to the Dry Tortugas," said Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida. "In terms of distance to the Keys, this is nothing."

Risks to Florida outweigh benefits of gulf drilling

By Paul Defenderefer

Panama City News Herald

I am deeply concerned about the possibility of oil drilling off Florida’s coastline.

Buchanan firm in drilling opposition

By Jeremy Wallace

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is not budging in his opposition to oil drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast.

PolitiFact: Stearns' claim about Chinese oil drilling in Gulf of Mexico is half true

By Aaron Sharockman

St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact

Longtime U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, a proponent of increased oil and natural gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, says drilling may be coming near Florida's shores whether we like it or not.

Obama lost me when he proposed oil drilling in the gulf

By Ernest Hooper

St. Petersburg Times

After President Barack Obama lauded my grandmother on election night, my wife theorized I would never criticize him.

Three Florida Democrats oppose offshore drilling

By Lesley Clark

Miami Herald

Related: White House says it will listen to Florida drilling critics

Florida Democrats have sent letters to President Barack Obama, protesting his plans to expand oil and gas drilling as close as 125 miles off Florida's coast.

Democrats from Florida oppose Obama's drilling plan

By Jim Turner

TC Palm

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, and two other Florida Democratic members of Congress, have sent a letter to President Obama objecting to his plans to allow drilling off the state’s coastline.

Off-coast drilling threatens Florida economy and jobs

By Rep. Kathy Castor

The Hill

Drilling for oil off of Florida’s west coast beaches would be a serious threat to Florida’s economy and jobs.

PRO AND CON: Energy independence or slaves to Big Oil?

By David Batt and Dave Rauschkolb

Destin Log

Florida is on the brink of decisions that could forever endanger our clean waters, our clean beaches and our valuable tourism-based economy.

Offshore Drilling and Florida's Gulf: How Much Oil Is There?

By Scott Finn

WUSF Public Radio Tampa

In the long-running debate over offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, one question always comes up: how much oil and gas is really out there?

Castor says Florida 'too special' for offshore oil drilling

By Alex Leary

St. Petersburg Times

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, today sent a letter to President Obama objecting to his plan for more offshore oil drilling in Florida, saying the area is "too special" to risk environmental damage.

FRLA opposes oil exploration

By Carol Dover

Tampa Bay News Weekly

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is closely monitoring legislation filed by both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives on the issue of oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.

Look at drilling's cost

By Walter C. Brown III

Daytona Beach News-Journal

From the standpoint of someone that has worked on oil-field supply vessels, it is not the platforms that worry me as much as the support systems that are needed onshore: The fuel docks, the storage facilities for drill-pipe, drill mud, etc.

Humans are the risk in drilling

Editorial

Pensacola News Journal

Related editorial: Drilling plan a loser

The Orlando Sentinel recently took a close look at the Australian drilling rig that blew out last August in the Timor Sea, leaked oil for more than two months and dumped millions of gallons of crude. It's a cautionary tale for Florida.

Drilling in Gulf makes no sense

Editorial

Highlands County News Sun

The debate over off-shore drilling is a real concern for Florida, especially since tourists flock here for a view of the beaches, not the oil rigs.

The drilling mistake

Editorial

Florida Today

The 72 miles of coast where Brevard County meets the sea is the heart of our community’s quality of life.

Map of areas to be opened for offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling under newly unveiled Obama administration proposal.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"

Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.

ACTIONS OPPOSING OBAMA’S DRILLING PLAN
President Obama, Drilling Is Not the Answer, via Friends of the Earth.
Tell President Obama You Oppose Offshore Oil Drilling, via Endangered Species Coalition.
Don’t Sacrifice the Oceans in the Name of Climate Change, via Oceana.
MORE ONLINE ACTIONS
Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Floridians Against Big Oil social network.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

MORE GREEN NEWS

Concern raised over nuclear waste storage at Turkey Point

By John Dorschner

Miami Herald

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has called a special meeting next week to discuss three apparent violations involving a spent-fuel pool at Turkey Point -- a critical issue as the long-held plans for storing waste in Nevada have collapsed.

Sugar deal's sour politics; biggest critic has self-interest at heart

By Joel Engelhardt

Palm Beach Post

In 2008, before Florida Crystals began to criticize the U.S. Sugar land deal, the company offered to be part of it.

Groups ask DEP to delay new waterway classification

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Environmental groups are asking the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to delay approval of a new stream classification system.

Key chairman says there is still time for DCA

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

The chairman of a key House council said Tuesday there is plenty of time in the legislative session to approve a bill that would reauthorize the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

Rare photo shows mother Florida panther and two kittens

Submitted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Naples News

A rare photograph taken last month of a Florida panther and her two kittens is making the e-mail rounds among wildlife biologists and conservation partners who have toiled for decades to restore the big cat’s habitat.

FPL opens solar plant

By Wayne T. Price

Florida Today

The solar energy center at the Kennedy Space Center could -- and should -- be one of many throughout Florida, Florida Power & Light President and Chief Executive Officer Armando Olivera said Thursday.

Not an Everglades setback: Judge leaves room for U.S. Sugar deal to proceed

Editorial

Palm Beach Post

U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno seemingly dealt a significant setback to Gov. Crist's plan to buy U.S. Sugar land for Everglades restoration.

Growth watchdog in danger

Editorial

Palm Beach Post

Developers believe it's too hard to exploit Florida's natural resources to build whatever they want.

Critically endangered Florida Panther and cubs.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Florida environmental and wildlife news for the week ending 2-26-10

FEATURED STORIES

Environmental fight brewing over rock mining push on former Everglades land

By Andy Reid

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Palm Beach Aggregates plans to expand its rock mining to 2,300 acres — allowing 25 more years of digging — in an area environmentalists contend threatens Everglades restoration.

Crist restocks water board with backers of his Everglades restoration plan

By Michael C. Bender and Paul Quinlan

Palm Beach Post

Environmentalists who favor Gov. Charlie Crist's monumental Everglades restoration land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. saw the odds of success improve Wednesday, when Crist named two allies and re-appointed a third to the board of the South Florida Water Management District, in advance of another crucial vote on the half-billion-dollar purchase.

Florida Springs Day Takes Over Capitol Courtyard!

Audubon of Florida

Springs advocates from across Florida converged on the Capitol courtyard last Tuesday to call on the Florida Legislature to pass meaningful springs protection legislation this year.

Take A Hike, Florida

By Alexis Diao

WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee

Some local environmentalists spent their Saturday morning picking up trash in the Fred George Basin, a sources for Tallahassee's drinking wells. The basin's clean-up is one of ten events throughout the state collectively called "Take a Hike, Florida."

Activists request Florida Forever funding statewide and at Sacred Lands

By Sean Kinane

WMNF Community Radio Tampa

In his budget request for the current year, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has included funding for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands through a program called Florida Forever.

"Think Before You Throw" Anti-Litter Campaign

By Heather Biance

WCTV CBS News Tallahassee

Americans produce 160-million tons of garbage each year,which is enough to fill 11-million garbage trucks.

Manatees rescued from chilly Fla. waters

The Associated Press

Miami Herald

Wildlife officials are working to rescue distressed manatees across the state.

Corkscrew sanctuary officially designated as a Wetland of International Importance

By Eric Staats

Naples News

Fans of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary have always viewed its towering cypress forest and long vistas of wet prairie to be world-class.

A clearing in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

THE BIG OIL ROUNDUP

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 2-26-10:

Palin slimes Florida with oil-drilling push

By Tony Plakas

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The unctuous Sarah Palin recently surfaced in Florida on a national tour like an unwanted oil spill, spewing her slippery nonsense to thousands of race fans at the Daytona International Speedway.

Experts: 2010 may not be make, break for drilling

By Melissa Nelson

The Associated Press

The Florida House last year voted to allow exploration for oil and natural gas in state waters, but the Senate didn't bring it up for a vote. This year the issue may not come up for a vote at all - but it will still weigh heavy in the upcoming session's background.

Offshore oil drilling not in Florida session

By Lindsay Ubinas

10 Connects News Tampa Bay

Florida legislators agree that offshore oil drilling is an important issue but they still might not tackle it during their upcoming session.

Century Commission report tackles oil drilling

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

A state panel's draft report issued today takes on the major questions and concerns about allowing oil drilling off Florida's coastline.

Hands Across the Sand Spreads Message "Love Tourists, Not Drilling"

By Heidi Lux

Tampa Bay Informer

Hands Across the Sand, a statewide, peaceful protest against offshore drilling, was held throughout Florida's beaches on February 13th.

Local politicians weigh in on drilling

Staff Report

Bradenton Herald

State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton: “Offshore drilling? I oppose it. Although there are ebbs and flows from a public perspective, there are better ways to address it than to put at risk our coastline.”

Love tourists, not drilling banner flying high over St. Petersburg Beach during Hands Across the Sand event, February 13, 2010.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.

MORE ONLINE ACTIONS
Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

Cumulative oil slick "footprint" resulting from the 10-week Montara oil platform blowout and spill that occurred in the Timor Sea off Western Australia in 2009; superimposed on the Gulf coast of Florida for scale. More info here.

MORE GREEN NEWS

Rep. Murzin slams Pelham again, backs off

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Rep. Dave Murzin on Wednesday told a Florida Chamber of Commerce audience that he still wants Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham to leave state government.

Volunteers find more murky water near airport site

By Pat Kelly

Panama City News Herald

Patrice Couch guided her small skiff north up Crooked Creek on Monday with a sure hand, looking for submerged logs.

Boaters warned off whale encounters

By Dinah Voyles Pulver

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Groups of rare North Atlantic right whales have entertained beachgoers and hotel guests along the Volusia County coast since Sunday but proved a too-tempting target for a few boaters who soon found themselves chatting with law enforcement officers.

Run-Ins With Endangered Right Whales Becoming Too Common

Reported by Jason Wheeler

Central Florida News 13

Sightings of North Atlantic right whales are rising off Central Florida’s coast, but so are run-ins between the whales and humans.

Fishermen enlist members of Congress to oppose red snapper ban

By Ludmilla Lelis

Orlando Sentinel

Still reeling from a federal ban on fishing for red snapper, Central Florida captains and fishermen joined more than 2,000 people at the United We Fish rally today in Washington, D.C., protesting afederal law that they say is destroying jobs and the fishing industry along Florida’s east coast.

Environmental group hopes to extend deadline for Everglades restoration project

By Jim Mayfield

TC Palm

The Rivers Coalition voted unanimously Thursday to urge the South Florida Water Management Board of Governors to extend the closing deadline for the $500 million land purchase from U.S. Sugar Corp. for the district’s River of Grass Everglades restoration project.

St. Johns district looks to strengthen water reuse programs

By Fred Hiers

Ocala Star-Banner

The St. Johns River Water Management District board is looking to squeeze the most out of water conservation and will meet next month to develop rules that could require its 16-county members to strengthen water reuse programs.

Farmton's changing the rules

By Lesley Blackner

Orlando Sentinel

Related editorial: How to beat Amendment 4

Are Volusia and Brevard county commissioners Stepford wives or Stockholm-syndrome victims?

St. Pete Times alum to lead Hometown Democracy

By Adam C. Smith

Buzz Blog

Julie Hauserman, former reporter for the St. Petersburg Times, Tallahassee Democrat and Stuart News, has been named campaign manager for Florida Hometown Democracy, Constitutional Amendment 4 on the November ballot.

Amendment 4 campaign manager named

By Tom Palmer

Lakeland Ledger

Julie Hauserman has been hired to head the campaign to get voter approval for Amendment 4, the Florida Hometown Democracy measure, the St. Pete Times Political Buzz reports.

Huge number of manatees gather in Lee County

By Kevin Lollar

Ft. Myers News-Press

Almost 900 manatees have turned the Orange River into a cold-water marine-mammal traffic jam.

Scrub Lupine Project Sees Early Progress

By Tom Palmer

Lakeland Ledger

A little more than a year ago, a daring experiment began.

Birds Flock to Restored Wetlands Along Kissimmee River

By Tom Palmer

Lakeland Ledger

The marsh ahead of the boat was a sea of white.

Fishermen taking snapper ban fight to Washington

By Jordan Kahn

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Because of new laws, small businesses are reeling, the federal government is being sued and a legislative fight is entering round two. And this isn't about health care or Wall Street bailouts.

Most Florida Democrats get a thumbs-up from enviros

By Mark Matthews

Orlando Sentinel

Seven Florida Democrats in Congress earned a perfect score from environmentalists in an annual scorecard released this morning that rated lawmakers for 2009 votes that included the American Clean Energy and Security Act and as well as the controversial $787 billion stimulus bill.

Orlando is home for two rules meetings

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Rules meetings and workshops -- they sound boring.

County pays to preserve Merritt Island waterfront

By Rick Neale

Florida Today

Encroached by towering condominiums, Ms. Apples Crab Shack, Doc's Bait House and future fisheries at Blue Crab Cove are now considerably closer to perpetual preservation.

Local kids take a hike

By Tyler Jett

Independent Alligator

Eric Thompson looked down, his white Nike shoes barely safe from the mud.

Bald Eagles Return To Pembroke Pines

By Joan Murray

CBS 4 News Miami

For the first time in almost 40 years, bald eagles are making their home in a county famous for snowbirds.

Fish and fishermen: sustainable species?

By Kate Spinner

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Charter captains, bait shops and commercial fishing fleets from Key West to Puget Sound are losing jobs and money as sweeping restrictions on dozens of fish take effect nationwide, based on data that regulators know is inaccurate.

Python-hunting season set for next month

By Susan Cocking

Miami Herald

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Monday announced a special hunting season targeting Burmese pythons on state lands in South Florida March 8 through April 17.

Nelson wades into fisheries debate

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

In advance of a protest in Washington by recreational and commercial fishermen, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson said today he will file legislation to address red snapper fishing restrictions.

Rare storks visiting our lake are treat

By Sherry Boas

Orlando Sentinel

On a recent morning, two wood storks were trolling for food in the recently submerged shoreline.

Florida must take advantage of biopower

By Charles H. Bronson

Tallahassee Democrat

As Florida's agriculture and consumer services commissioner, one of my proudest achievements is Florida's status as a leader in the biofuel industry.

Fox pens are inhumane and a threat to public health

Editorial

Pensacola News Journal

Imagine the outcry from animal activists if the state decided to regulate dog fighting instead of banning the barbaric practice like it rightly has done for decades.

Before the development, nail down the details

Editorial

St. Petersburg Times

Nailing down the details on planned protections for black bear habitat shouldn't be superseded by private sector interests pitching a high-end resort and residential community in Aripeka.

It’s time for Florida to work on water quality

Editorial

Bradenton Herald

Since the state of Florida dawdled for more than a decade over a federal mandate to set limits on farm and urban runoff and water pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stepped in with proposed regulations last month.

Clean springs

Editorial

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Once a mermaid, Barbara Wynn became a militant.

It's still a threat

Editorial

Miami Herald

More than two-thirds of the nation's land mass had snow on the ground when the day dawned, and then it snowed ever so slightly in Florida to make it 49 states out of 50.The weather is unsettling this winter.

Manatee Springs State Park.

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