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"

Fred George Basin cleanup in support of Florida Forever a huge success!

Note: WPS would like to thank everyone who participated Saturday, and especially our friends at FSU Environmental Service Program, The Nature Conservancy, and Save Our Shores. Special thanks as well to WPS intern Rick Ulrich.

Take A Hike, Florida
By Alexis Diao
WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee
February 22, 2010
Related link: Support Florida Forever Coalition

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." It was hosted by the Florida Forever Coalition.

North Florida is peppered with sinkholes, and for the most part they're all connected. The same water in the Fred George Basin, for example, can be found an hour away in Wakulla Springs.

There's a lot of connectivity here in terms of keeping the groundwater clean. The entire environment supports a tremendous number of threatened and endangered species, including the Woodstork, which is a federally endangered species.

Misty Penton is an environmental activist and founder of the Wildwood Preservation Society. She helped organize this event with the Florida State Environmental Service Program.

"Right now, there aren't any trash traps to keep the trash from draining into the sinkhole area. That means that for 34-square miles, all of the runoff garbage is going down into that sinkhole."

The basin was recently purchased as public land through Florida Forever. Eventually, it will have trash traps, which are large strainers set in the water to catch floating debris.

Until these strainers are put in place to clean the basin water, volunteers are left to do the job. Thomas University student Rick Ulrich showed off black trash bag full of finds.

"Glass bottles, aluminum bottles, some balls, tennis balls, baseballs, that sort of thing."

The Fred George Basin clean-up wasn't your everyday walk in the woods. A month after the Federal Environmental Protection Agency proposed setting tougher standards for Florida's water quality, and about a week ahead of the legislative session, the statewide campaign was sort of a pep rally for environmentalists.

One of them is volunteer and director of Government Affairs for the Florida chapter of Nature Conservancy, Andy McLeod.

"We are participating today in part to call on the Legislature to provide sufficient funding to see that Florida Forever exists next year."

One cooler, thirteen car tires, and countless glass and plastic bottles later, the volunteers call it a day.


Endangered wood stork nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009.

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"

Take A Hike Florida!

Florida Forever Presents: Take A Hike, Florida!

Events Set Across Florida on February 20

On February 20, the Florida Forever Coalition and Floridians across the state will take a hike!

In support of the Florida Forever program, the Coalition will partner with local supporters to take part in a day of hiking designed to celebrate Florida’s natural treasures and raise awareness of the Florida Forever program. The hikes will take place across the state and will be open to the public. “Take A Hike, Florida!” has planned hikes in Seminole, Pinellas, Alachua and Nassau counties, to name only a few.

In Leon County, supporters of Florida Forever will join with FSU’s Environmental Service Program, the Wildwood Preservation Society and Thomasville University students to clean up the Fred George Basin. The Basin was purchased in part by an FCT grant, part of the Florida Forever program. The public is welcome and encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, work gloves and a willingness to get dirty! Participants should meet at the gates of the Fred George Basin Greenway, located ½ mile east of Capital Circle. For directions please contact Misty Penton at 850-559-9661.

The Coalition is celebrating 20 years of successful public land conservation under Florida Forever and its predecessor, Preservation 2000. The combined programs have protected more than 2.4 million acres of land. The land has many uses, from recreation to water quality preservation to protecting our military. Florida Forever has touched nearly every county in Florida and greatly improved our state’s quality of life.

Last week, Gov. Charlie Crist included funding for Florida Forever in his 2010-11 proposed state budget. The Florida Forever Coalition is urging the Legislature to follow the Governor’s example and provide funding for the program, despite the current economic climate. The recent economic downturn has provided unprecedented opportunities for the state to purchase critical environmental lands for bargain prices. This makes funding essential to the integrity of the program’s ability to negotiate future deals.

Successful Florida Forever projects include Pinhook Swamp, Annutteliga Hammock, Kissimmee River/Chain of Lakes, Pumpkin Hill, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Green Swamp, Fisheating Creek Ecosystem, the Archie Carr Sea Turtle Refuge, Yellow River Ravines, Seven Runs Creek, and Pier Park, to name a few.

Details on the Fred George Basin cleanup, including information on carpooling from FSU, is available here.

Fledgling egrets nesting in Fred George Basin, May 2009.

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"

Wildwood Preservation Society Summer 2009 Update

Great Blue Heron in Fred George Basin July 3, 2006. Photo taken within property once threatened by development, now slated for conservation.

Snowy egret chicks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Photo courtesy Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.

Summer 2009 Update

Note: click here to view our previous update.

We recently received the most exciting news to date regarding our three year campaign to Save Fred George Basin. Leon County has finalized the purchase and preservation of a sensitive 78-acre parcel that had been previously slated for development. The property contains karst wetlands used as core Wood Stork foraging habitat, and the pristine Fred George Pond. WPS supports the county’s continuing efforts to negotiate with landholders in order to place several adjacent properties into conservation, including a small lot containing the important Fred George Sink, which feeds into the Floridan Aquifer and the City of Tallahassee drinking water supply.

It has been an active nesting season for endangered wood storks in Fred George Basin’s Wildwood rookery. With overdevelopment in South Florida pushing more wood storks north from their original habitat, it is more critical now than ever that they be protected. Click here to see recent photos of wood storks and other wildlife in Fred George Basin.

Meanwhile, Fat Cat builders have begun a public relations and lobbying campaign to undermine current wood stork protections by downgrading their endangered status. It seems wealthy developers will stop at nothing to pave over our beautiful state. Despite a banner nesting season in 2009, biologists are not convinced that wood storks are on the path to a sustained recovery, primarily due to overbuilding in South Florida. You can learn more about this issue by visiting our blog post here. Watch for future updates from us via MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, and our main blog.

Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Many thanks to Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.

Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Big thanks to videographer Rob Pepple.

On March 29th WPS founder Misty Penton led a community clean-up of Fred George Basin. The event was covered by WCTV CBS News. About fifteen volunteers helped remove trash and debris in order to prevent contamination of our drinking water, minimize flooding, and help protect endangered wildlife that lives nearby.

WPS founder Misty Penton with WCTV reporter Kelsey Johnson

Wildwood Preservation Society worked unsuccessfully during the recently concluded Florida legislative session to prevent lawmakers from gutting the critical Florida Forever program. Florida Forever is widely regarded as the most successful state land conservation program in the country, with more than 2 million acres of our state’s most sensitive areas having been preserved since its inception. Fred George Basin is among Florida Forever’s beneficiaries, as WPS assisted Leon County in securing Florida Forever grant funding to match costs associated with acquiring the last undeveloped portions of the basin. WPS will continue to work with the Florida Forever Coalition to restore this valuable program when next year’s budget is deliberated by our legislature.

Unfortunately, the loss of Florida Forever wasn't the only legislative activity this past session that angered conservationists. The legislature passed, and Gov. Crist signed into law, a controversial bill (SB 360) aimed at promoting more developmental sprawl. The law, which was widely criticized by municipal governments and newspaper editorial boards, was written and supported by builders and vigorously opposed by environmental groups. The Governor also signed a bill (SB 2080) that shuts out the public on important water-use decisions and allows a handful of bureaucrats to dictate permitting for large-scale wetlands destruction. Our friends at Florida Wildlife Federation have a good summary of what the 2009 legislative session means for Florida’s environment here.

We do have good news from South Florida, where a judge’s ruling will help prevent Lowe’s from building a large retail store outside of the Miami-Dade Urban Development Boundary, right up to the edge of the Everglades. This important decision should bolster efforts to stop sprawl from further encroaching on the crown jewel of Florida’s ecological landscape. Thank you to everyone who responded to last year’s action alerts that we distributed on behalf of Hold the Line and Progress Florida to stop Lowe’s reckless plan.

And finally, WPS has joined the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, a group of more than 5,900 organizations seeking new and greater funding for wildlife conservation and related education and recreation. The coalition is working to promote wildlife action plans designed to give us the ability to conserve wildlife and the lands and waters where they live for future generations.

Wildwood Preservation Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit effort. Special thanks to our many supporters, volunteers and coalition members. Questions? Email us at wildwoodpreservation@gmail.com.

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"

Spring and Summer 2009 Fred George Basin wildlife photos

Spring and Summer 2009 Fred George Basin wildlife photos

Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Photo courtesy Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.


Snowy egret chicks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Photo courtesy Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.


Snowy egret chicks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Many thanks to Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.


Barred owl amidst the wood in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009. Caption contest, anyone?


Endangered wood stork in flight above Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Snowy egrets nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


In Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Juvenile wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009. Another caption contest candidate.


Female anhinga in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Male anhinga in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Snowy egret chicks nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Nesting juvenile wood storks in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


No hunting in Fred George Basin! Foxes and other wild predators excepted…


…Fox returning to den after successful rabbit hunt in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Endangered wood storks fill the sky above Fred George Basin, June 2009.

Note: All photos by Jon Bleyer of Wildwood Preservation Society except where noted.

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"

Greedy developers seek to weaken endangered wood stork protections

Ed. Note: The efforts described in the articles below by builder groups and deep-pocketed developers to weaken protections for endangered wood storks amount to nothing more than a charade of misinformation based on pure greed, plain and simple. The builders cite 2006 nesting numbers and point to the big rebound in wood stork nesting this year. However, they fail to mention the fact that during 2007 and 2008 South Florida’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, historically the largest wood stork rookery in the U.S., suffered complete nesting failures. Additionally, overdevelopment in South Florida has already driven wood storks into North Florida and beyond. Wildwood Preservation Society has been working for more than three years to protect core foraging habitat for endangered wood storks in Fred George Basin, Leon County. Even with the current protections in place, one must cut through a mountain of red tape in order to prevent reckless developments in and around wood stork habitat. One final point: these builders want to keep paving over our state with new homes while hundreds of thousands of existing residential homes sit vacant due to the housing and economic crisis.

Bird vs. builders: Endangered stork's status called 'an albatross'
By David Fleshler
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Related AP story: Fla. builders want endangered bird reclassified
Although the recession is the chief obstacle to the construction of new houses in Florida, the building industry has taken aim at a more humble opponent: the endangered wood stork.

Everglades' wood stork enjoys a rebirth
By Curtis Morgan
Miami Herald
Related AP story: Wood stork population flying higher in Everglades
A boom in breeding by the rare wood stork has added fuel to developers' argument that the bird no longer belongs on the endangered list.

Latest scapegoat..er bird in housing slump debate
By Tom Palmer
Lakeland Ledger
A large wading bird appears to have joined impact fees as the prime culprit for lack of recovery of the housing market.

Florida's Growth Machine: blame the birds
By Gimleteye
Eye On Miami
It is sickening to watch the Growth Machine taking advantage of the worst economic crisis since the Depression to gear up new rules and regulations so that when housing markets return, citizens will have even less access to the law to protect their communities and the environment.


Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Photo courtesy of Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.



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"