The Nature Coast Coalition strives to unite communities and organizations along the Nature Coast of Florida to protect these last, best places in our state. Member organizations are inviting the citizens of the Florida Nature Coast to come to Crystal River on November 13 for an update on key issues.
This conference offers an update of issues that may impact the Nature Coast region and provides meaningful ways to get involved in preserving our natural heritage. It is free and open to the public, but pre-registration by Nov 10 is important for the planners who will provide lunch for participants. For more information, and to register on-line, see naturecoastcoalition.org/news.html
The conference starts with a contextual history of the Nature Coast from Gainesville professors Steven Noll and David Tegeder, co-authors of “Ditch of Dreams: The Cross Florida Barge Canal and Struggle for Florida’s Future.” You can also get the inside scoop from lobbyist Sue Mullins who joins us to recap the decisions and events of 2010 that affect the Nature Coast. Local experts will address the current status of the Tarmac limestone mining project and explore potential impacts for the Nature Coast, both economically and environmentally.
After lunch, the second half of the meeting is a facilitated planning session where Nature Coast Coalition partners and decision makers will set goals and conduct general planning for the rest of the year.
You may opt for the morning session with lunch, or for the whole day to stay for planning session. Following the planning session, all are welcome to join us for a nature hike.
For more information, call Darden Rice at 727-560-2479
The Crystal River Buffer Preserve provides a meeting space surrounded by the landscapes we are dedicated to preserving.
Posted in Conservation, Environment, Protection, Public Land, Sensitive Land, Sensitive Plants, Sensitive Wildlife, events.
By admin
October 29, 2010
from the entire Next Steps Collective crew!
Posted in Resources.
By admin
December 23, 2010
The Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative is pleased to announce completion of an on-line gateway to the Cooperative’s products. Seed is available by the packet for small plantings as well as in bulk for major endeavors. You can visit the Seed Store at http://www.floridawildflowers.com/
Roadside plantings bring attention to Florida's wildflowers
The Cooperative represents a group of Florida wildflower producers who work in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Wildflower Foundation to develop strategies to increase Florida’s native plant acreage and seed production to better meet the demand for native species.
Purchasing seed from the Cooperative supports the efforts of our state’s growers, which in turn helps improve the supply and quality of native seed.
Posted in Environment, Green, News, Resources, Sustainability.
Starting August 27, Eric Zamora’s conservation photography exhibit on the story of Florida’s Nature Coast will be featured at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.
Life on the Edge tells the story of the vast region from St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge near Tallahassee, to northern Pasco County, covering 240 miles of Florida’s Nature Coast. The exhibit reveals a landscape where a sparse human population lives and works within the greater context of the natural world. Zamora’s focus is the importance of understanding the potential impacts of development and industry on these remaining natural areas, and using our wisdom to preserve the area.
Says Zamora, “My conservation photography project Life on the Edge (LOTE) uses the visual power of photography, and the collective energy of individual and institutional partnerships, to share the story of Florida’s Nature Coast with the goal of helping to mold a sustainable future for all.”
Friday, August 27, 2010, the University will host a reception opening the exhibit from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear Zamora’s observations regarding the past, present and future of the Nature Coast.
Eric Zamora capture the natural beauty of Florida's Nature Coast
Read more at the LOTE Web page: http://www.ericzamora.com/conservation/life-on-the-edge.html
USF event announcement: http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/news/?p=60
Posted in Conservation, Enforcement, Environment, Green, Protection, Public Land, Sensitive Land, Sensitive Plants, Sensitive Wildlife, Sustainability.
We think this meter speaks for itself. Here in Florida, our coastal ecosystems are looking down the barrels, so to speak. Let’s see. About 1.5% of US daily oil consumption is currently escaping into the Gulf. Another fun fact: If we drilled in Florida’s Coastal region, we’d get about one week’s worth of US consumption total, roughly 155,000,000 barrels (see http://www.nationmaster.com/country/us-united-states/ene-energy). So in about 74 days, should the leak hold steady, we can waste more oil than Florida can drill.
Posted in Conservation, Enforcement, Environment, Green, Protection, Public Land, Resources, Sensitive Land, Sensitive Plants, Sensitive Wildlife.
From the steps of the State Capitol, John Moran challenges the Florida Legislature to act to protect the state’s unique freshwater springs. His speech at the Florida Springs Rally reveals his sense of loss at the changes he’s seen. As he speaks, a collection of Moran’s springs photography illustrates the beauty and degradation he has witnessed over the past 30 years.
Experience this 12-minute video, and forward it to a friend. Click here to tell the Florida Legislature we need meaningful springs protection now.
Posted in Advocacy, Conservation, Enforcement, Environment, Initiatives, Policy, Protection, Public Land, Sensitive Land, Sensitive Plants, Sensitive Wildlife, Video.
From Jane Healey’s ‘Feet to the Fire’ column:
As legislators prepare for next year’s session, those in favor of weakening growth laws have started lurking the halls. Already, there are warning signs of what might come.
Danger No. 1: The big boys are at it again.
If you thought that development pressure was on the wane because Florida is terribly overbuilt, with one of the nation’s highest foreclosure rates, think again.
Danger No. 2: Legislators attack the one backstop.
The one thing Florida has done right when it comes to managing growth is having a strong state planning agency that can put the brakes on outrageous projects that local elected officials lap up.
Danger No. 3: Misjudging the threat of Hometown Democracy.
There’s one reason developments like Destiny and Farmton are in such a rush: so they can get approved before voters weigh in on Hometown Democracy this fall.
Read The Full Article at OrlandoSentinel.com
Posted in Enforcement, Environment, Industrial, Law, News, Newspaper, Policy, Politics, Protection, Public Land, Sensitive Land.
As we go along, we are identifying and compiling resources to help our partners navigate the changing world of web-presence and social marketing. This page features links to recommended reading.
Assess Your Website
This worksheet allows you to check for features that improve the quality of websites at no cost except attention to detail.
Brief Glossary of Internet Terminology
This cheat sheet defines some key terms relevant to discussions on electronic dissemination and web design.
Resource Links and Ten Point Check List for Non-Profit Websites
This is a two-page tool kit for improving your website. It features links to recommended tools, galleries of good and bad sites, and articles on topics such as “how much you should pay for a website.”
The Current Universe of Social Media Tools
This diagram helps demystify the purpose of popular tools and sites for all aspects of Social Networking.
Selecting a Content Management System for your Non-Profit Website
This section of a more extensive report by Idealware, a non-profit organization that provides Consumer Reports-style articles to help nonprofits choose effective software.
Posted in Advocacy, Design, Resources, Website.
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