F l o r i d a Fish and Wildlife News Keeping We’re on Facebook and Twitter @FlWildFed the Wild in Florida To follow us, just go to www.fwfonline.org and since 1936 look for: ISSN 1520-8214 / FFWN is printed on recycled paper Volume 27, Issue 3 Affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation August 2013 Everglades Restoration: The Federation’s 76th Annual Not yet ready for summer’s rain Conservation Awards Banquet By Martha Musgrove system. We haven’t had one since The Florida Wildlife Federation held its 76th Annual Conservation Awards Southern Regional Director the water-conservation areas (im- Banquet and summer meeting at the FFA Leadership Training Center in poundments) were built. The Central Haines City, June 7–9, 2013. The natural forested habitat beside beautiful While 2013 is a wet year all Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) Lake Pierce and Catfish Creek Preserve State Park provided attendees with a across Florida, after two months of would go a long way to re-establish- fine setting to discuss important conservation issues and to present conserva- heavy rain South Florida is down- ing a flow-through system to mimic tion awards to those who have been leaders on the front lines for our environ- right soggy. High water levels have the original Everglades. ment. Prior to the Saturday night Awards Banquet, a cocktail reception and closed Water Conservation Area 3, Ample evidence exists that water Silent Auction were held including an art exhibit by Peter R. Gerbert and west of Miami and Fort Lauderdale was substantially deeper in places donated art by Paul Schulz. Sixteen of the weekend attendees were young even though flood gates along the before construction of the Tamiami adults with IDEAS for US, an FWF affiliate that is at the forefront on energy Tamiami Trail are wide open, send- Trail, the water-conservation area and issues. ing water into Everglades National impoundments, and Alligator Alley, Park. but the issues today are how much Mr. M. C. Davis was inducted into the FWF Conservation Hall of Fame. The park wants water and we water can actually flow through the Eleven others were honored with conservation awards. Please see the article could send more, but we don’t yet impoundments, at what depth, and below and on pages 8 through 10 to learn more about the 2013 Conservation have a “flow through” Everglades will a wetter confined Everglades still Award Winners. Additional photos can be seen on page 7. be a “healthy” Everglades supporting a variety of wildlife and birds? During the 1960s and 1970s, WCA

PAID 3 dried out and sustained a large M.C. Davis is a highly suc- U.S. Postage U.S.

Permit No. 530 No. Permit cessful entrepreneur with the Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit Tallahassee, FL Tallahassee, number of deer. When water rose suddenly, hundreds of deer drowned heart of a true conservationist or starved to death while huddled on who seeks to leave a better the levees. It was a sad and stomach world for his grandchildren. turning era, which many Gladesmen Indeed, he believes in what remember and fear will return. Today he terms “deep conserva- the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conser- tion,” that is putting the land vation Commission manages the deer back to where it was before herd at lower levels. modern man began to alter Re-creating an Everglades mo- the landscape. M.C. Davis is also a “get it done” conserva- saic of ridges, sloughs and marshes FWF HALL OF FAME amid the structures of the Central and tion visionary who focuses on Southern Florida Flood Control Proj- TWENTY-FIFTH INDUCTEE significant, lasting actions to ect that will remain in place is diffi- M.C. Davis protect key habitat linkages cult. It also requires re-establishing across regional landscapes. DAVIS con’t page 10 MUSGROVE con’t page 14 BALLOT to return to INSIDE: FWF on page 2. DIRECTOR NOMINEE RETURN BALLOT...... 2 Members: Please MESSAGES FROM THE CHAIR AND PRESIDENT...... 2-3 vote for FWF District 76TH EVENT PHOTOS...... 7 CONSERVATION AWARD WINNERS...... 8-10 Directors. Learn about DIRECTOR NOMINEES PROFILES...... 13

the nominees on page 13. CONSERVATION CALENDAR...... 16

official publication of the of publication official

www.fwfonline.org

Tallahassee, FL 32314-6870 FL Tallahassee,

P.O. Box 6870 Box P.O. Florida Wildlife Federation Wildlife Florida 1 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 1 you lose.” This is the reason we must stay hug him too!” CHAIR’S MESSAGE The Next vigilant and that is exactly what you and I Once again, I encourage you to get out- by Jenny Brock Generation can count on the Florida Wildlife Federa- doors and take a child. Take your children, tion to do. Jefre and another young man nieces, nephews, grand kids, or borrow a I first met Jefre Dasovich in the spring pictured elsewhere in this edition (Fisher kid. Just get out there and have some fun! of 2004 in Washington, DC. We were Gledhill) are the two youngest “Florida both there for “a fly in” sponsored by the Wildlife Federation LIFE MEMBERS” National Wildlife Federation, to lobby and we are very happy that they too can Congress for conservation of the Arctic depend on FWF to work for the health and National Wildlife Refuge and on other protection of our natural resources in the conservation issues involving individual great and beautiful state of Florida. states. Jefre was 5 months old at the time. In keeping with the National Wildlife He brought his mom Ann along since she Federation program to get ten million kids was the keeper of the . outdoors on a regular basis, FWF spon- Jefre, Ann and I, along with represen- sors a kids’ fishing day each year (report tatives from most other state wildlife fed- and pictures featured in other issues). erations, walked the halls of Congress for We also partner with other organizations the next two days. As I’m sure you can and schools to get children outdoors for imagine, Jefre was a big hit on Capitol Hill healthy and informative activities. As you those two days and we actually made some can see, Jefre, now nearing the big 10, has progress in our efforts. You might have learned well. That’s a really big snook heard the statement “the only conservation that he caught a few days ago. “Jefre, trust battles that are permanent are the ones that me, if I catch a snook that size, I’m gonna

FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION NORTHWEST REGION CENTRAL REGION STAFF TALLAHASSEE OFFICE 2545 Blairstone Pines Drive; P.O. Box 6870 REGIONAL DIRECTOR REGIONAL DIRECTOR Lou Kellenberger Jim Thomas PRESIDENT Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6870 3523 Westford Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32309 14908 Tilden Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Manley K. Fuller, III 850-656-7113; FAX 850-942-4431 850-570-2421 407-656-8277 Vice President for Conservation & General Counsel DISTRICT I DIRECTOR DISTRICT II DIRECTOR www.fwfonline.org E-mail: [email protected] DISTRICT V DIRECTOR DISTRICT VI DIRECTOR Preston T. Robertson Glenn Griffith Diane Roberts Jay H. Exum Ann Vanek-Dasovich 3045 Windermere Dr 516 Ward Street Affiliated With National Wildlife Federation 2253 Peachleaf Ct 489 W Davis Blvd, Vice President of Administration Pensacola, FL 32503 Tallahassee, FL 32308 Longwood, FL 32779 Tampa, FL 33606 Diane Hines OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND STAFF 850-595-3538 850-508-5867 321-229-5653 813-205-9810 Membership Coordinator Policy Consultant Lynn Jones Jay Liles CHAIR IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR NORTHEAST REGION SOUTHERN REGION Jenny Brock Jim Schuette Habitats Coordinator Communications Specialist 311 Old Magnolia Rd REGIONAL DIRECTOR REGIONAL DIRECTOR Pat Pearson Cole Sousa Crawfordville, FL 32327 PAST CHAIR’S COUNCIL Matt Kenyon Martha Musgrove Bookkeeper Florida Fish & Wildlife News 850-421-6640 3020 Lake Shore Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210 2432 Edgewater Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Jim Schuette Jeanne Scruggs Producer/Editor: Linda Stanley 904-759-2300 561-965-9409 Danny Gwynn-Shapiro VICE-CHAIR Steve O’Hara DISTRICT III DIRECTOR DISTRICT IV DIRECTOR Steve O’Hara Bob Reid DISTRICT VII DIRECTOR DISTRICT VIII DIRECTOR Administrative Assistants Richard Hamann To be appointed Linda Stanley Franklin Adams Michelle Hakemoller, Tessa Kleck 1061 Holly Lane Jenny Brock 2020 SE 32nd Place Jacksonville, FL 32207 David J. White 5665 Summit Blvd 761 15th St. NW, Gainesville, FL 32641 West Palm Bch, FL 33415 Naples, FL 34120 FWF SW FL OFFICE FWF NE FL OFFICE 904-803-4965 Lynn Alan Thompson 352-273-0842 Franklin Adams 561-312-3918 239-455-1567 H SW Florida Field Representative NE Florida Planning Advocate VICE-CHAIR Jim Scanland Nancy Payton Sarah Owen Gledhill Ned Stone Tommy Needham 2590 Golden Gate Pkwy, Ste. 105 201 Owens Ave, 2012 Coral Shores Dr Walt Brandon EIGHT AT-LARGE DIRECTORS Naples, FL 34105 St. Augustine, FL 32080 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 Timothy Keyser (239) 643-4111 (904) 461-1160

954-205-9595 Richard Tillis Robert E. “Bob” Taylor Tom Evans, Jr. Billy Causey Ted Everett PO Box 6888 1000 Warwick Lane 30939 Delgado Lane 1963 Hard Labor Rd The Florida Fish and Wildlife News is published quarterly by the VICE-CHAIR PRESIDING OFFICER Lake Hamilton, FL 33851 Wilmington, DE 19807 Big Pine Key, FL 33043 Chipley, FL 32428 Florida Wildlife Federation Tim Bachmeyer OF LIFE MEMBERS’ 863-289-3719 302-656-0880 305-809-4670 561-801-5752 2545 Blairstone Pines Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301. 1100 Via Royale, #101 COUNCIL Jupiter, FL 33458 David Theriaque ISSN: 1520-8214 561-801-5752 Terry Gibson Rick Abbott Bobbie Lindsay Keith Overton EDITOR in CHIEF Youth Conservation Director 2060 NE 23rd Terrace 3233 Heather Hill Rd CONTACT US AT 212 Caribbean Rd 5600 Gulf Blvd. Manley K. Fuller, III 2013 DELEGATES TO NWF Brianna “Bri” Jones Jensen Beach, FL 32309 Tallahassee, FL 32309 Palm Beach, FL 33489 St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 [email protected] Delegate: Jim Schuette Samantha Baraoidan 772-285-7683 850-599-8998 561-797-9405 727-432-3428 Alternate: Rick Abbott No original material may be reproduced without written consent from the publisher.

FWF Members: CUT OUT AND RETURN THIS BALLOT Please mark the box to vote for each district. We are in- CANDIDATES cluding this ballot to comply Check (1) selection per district* with provisions of the FWF Bylaws. Cut out form and DISTRICT I DISTRICT III DISTRICT V DISTRICT VII Richard Hamann ______Jay Exum ______mail to: Glenn Griffith _____ Linda Stanley ______

Director Ballots Florida Wildlife Federation DISTRICT II DISTRICT IV DISTRICT VI DISTRICT VIII PO Box 6870 Diane Roberts _____ Currently open Currently open Franklin Adams _____ Tallahassee, FL 32314 *For more information about each candidate see pages 13. Your printed name and address THANK YOU on the reverse side will be used You may also vote online at www.fwfonline.org/ballot/ballot.aspx. to verify your membership. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by September 12, 2013 to be eligible.

2 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida for fish and wildlife. From time to time, PRESIDENT’S public conservation lands are proposed for MESSAGE surplus and FWF normally does not support by Manley Fuller this course of action. In cases where there FWF Scholarship Update are small parcels with little conservation or August 2013 outdoor recreational value and the property is isolated from other conservation parcels or when highways are widened, we may not oppose if the parcel’s loss is mitigated by acquiring better habitat or inholdings. We also are supportive of willing landowner Dear FWF Members and Friends, conservation easements or other forms of permanent private lands stewardship. In the last issue, we told you about the four FWF Scholarship winners for Cooperative public and private lands man- 2013 at the ’s Department of Wildlife Ecology and Con- agement agreements to deal with exotics, servation. I received thank you letters from each of this year’s winners and conduct fire management and to manage want to share one of their letters with you below. wildlife are value-added. As you already know there are lots of Dear Mr. Fuller: significant challenges facing us today all across the state. We have serious water I want to sincerely thank you for selecting me as one of the recipients for pollution problems in our beloved springs, rivers and lakes. The news is covered with this year’s Florida Wildlife Federation Scholarship. I am honored to have stories that include the degradation of the your support to continue my education in wildlife research and for providing Indian River lagoon and the massive dis- me this award for my time spent working with Florida’s wildlife and their charges of Lake Okeechobee waters into habitats. Dear Florida Wildlife Federation the east and west coast estuaries which are After approximately 9 years of working and volunteering in Florida, in- Members, devastating to estuarine habitats and our cluding conducting research in the Florida Keys for my Master’s Degree, I natural resources. There are health adviso- decided to return to school to pursue a Ph. D. in Wildlife Ecology and Con- First, I want to let you know we had ries telling people to stay out of the water servation at the University of Florida. I believe Florida has some of the most an excellent Conservation Achievement for their own safety and to keep their pets unique wildlife in the country, and yet, so much remains to be learned about Awards program in June at the FFA Cen- out also. The public is aroused and citizens their natural history, habitat needs, and how they are responding to a chang- ter in Haines City. We were privileged, as are rallying to stop the massive discharges ing environment. After completing my Ph. D., I plan to remain in Florida we are every year, to be able to recognize from Lake Okeechobee, and once again, and continue my career in working with Florida’s wildlife, particularly with great Floridians who in their own way are there are upcoming official legislative the conservation and management of the threatened and endangered species. committed to Florida’s conservation future. reviews of what to do. Water levels in the By awarding me the Florida Wildlife Federation Scholarship, you have We are glad to recognize their achieve- Water Conservation Areas are also high allowed me to come closer to my goal of becoming a wildlife professional ments, which help all of us conserve natural threatening wildlife there. We must do a and have greatly reduced my financial stress as a student. This scholarship Florida. Second, please see the commentary better job of reducing excessive nutrient will assist me with purchasing textbooks, paying tuition and fees, and sup- that Governor Bob Graham provided on loads from multiple sources and that is porting my research as a student. Again, thank you so very much for your why we continue to pursue legal remedies page 11 on behalf of the Florida Water and support. Land Legacy Campaign. One of the key through the courts. Cleaning up our waters requires a top to bottom reduction in exces- strategies for protecting and enhancing our Sincerely, Daniel U. Greene fish and wildlife, our waters and our rich sive discharges of nutrients. We must estab- natural heritage is to support and volunteer lish increased water storage and treatment I hope you will feel, as I do, how rewarding it is to know that your donations for the Florida Water and Land Legacy capacity in the greater Everglades region Amendment Campaign (www.floridawa- to deal with Lake Okeechobee discharges. to this scholarship are providing funds to individuals like Daniel U. Greene, a terlandlegacy.org, citizen’s amendment This is a wet year which magnifies long last- Ph.D. candidate at U.F. who plans to continue to protect and conserve Florida’s contributions are not tax deductible). This ing problems and all feasible options need fish, wildlife and unique natural resources after graduation. (Note: Daniel re- amendment when enacted will be our most to be explored. Looking past the immediate ceived an award of $1,000 from the FWF Scholarship Fund; he was not pictured effective land conservation mechanism. The crisis, we need to proceed with the Central in the May FFWN photo of winners due to his work out of town for FWC.) CUT OUT AND RETURN THIS BALLOT Legacy amendment will also facilitate the Everglades Planning Process, construct the I hope you will make a generous donation to the FWF Scholarship Fund, ei- protection of private conservation lands next Tamiami Trail Bridge, get planned ther using the online link shown below which goes directly to the University of with willing landowners across Florida. The water storage and treatment projects on line Florida Foundation’s website, or by mailing a check to FWF earmarked for the Florida Water and Land Legacy Amend- and establish additional water storage and FWF Scholarship Fund. Donations received here for the fund are immediately ment is literally the LARGEST STATE- treatment areas above and below the Lake. transferred to the U. F. Foundation and our Fund #013403. BASED LANDS CONSERVATION We need to move more water south but INITIATIVE IN AMERICAN HISTORY. in a manner where it flows through rather Thank you, Spread the word, we need it to secure the than impounds within the Conservation future of Florida’s environment. Let’s make and Wildlife Management Areas. Please it a reality! In addition, to support FWF’s read FWF Director Martha Musgrove’s land conservation efforts our website is perspectives on the state of the Everglades on page 1. To facilitate fish and wildlife and www.fwfonline.org. Our current efforts are focused on promoting the Legacy campaign nature-based outdoor recreation, we have and protecting public conservation lands to do a much better job of protecting our To make an online donation to the FWF Scholarship Fund, from inappropriate surplus. natural resources. please go to: FWF strongly supports maintaining the I would be remiss if I did not mention https://www.uff.ufl.edu/OnlineGiving/FundDetail.asp?FundCode=013403 integrity of our public conservation lands FWF’s ongoing support to restoring river which are great places for people to enjoy a flows in the Ocklawaha which would ben- variety of sustainable outdoor recreational PRESIDENT con’t page 11 activities and which provide key habitat

2 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 3 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REPORT by Nancy Anne Payton, Southwest Florida Field Representative

ties be determined during the • Examine the effects of contin- upcoming Caloosahatchee ued population growth, development, River Visioning effort. mining, and agriculture on South Also serious consid- Florida’s natural resources. eration should be given • Assist in developing actions to exchanging or selling needed to restore, preserve, and pro- FLORIDA KIDS’ isolated parcels outside the tect the Greater Everglades ecosys- Corkscrew Region Eco- tem. QUIZ system Watershed (CREW) • Promote and monitor imple- 1. Why should we limit use of boundaries for parcels within mentation of its recommendations. fertilizers in our yards? the acquisition boundaries. WRAC also functions as an ad-

The Southwest Florida Office will visory body to the South Florida continue to monitor this assessment Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. and coordinate with Federation rep- For more information about WRAC resentatives who are working in other including minutes and meeting videos regions of the Water Management go to: District. http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/ West Coast Land page/portal/xweb%20about%20us/ Assessment Wildlife wrac. WRAC 2. What can kids do at school to The South Florida Water Man- help Florida’s native critters and agement District is conducting an Appointment why should they do it? assessment of its properties within Twenty Years in its 16-county county region which Southwest Florida Field Repre- 2014 includes Southwest Florida. sentative Nancy Payton was recently The Federation participated in appointed to the South Florida Wa- 2014 will mark the Southwest both workshops held in Ft. Myers ter Management District’s Water Florida Office’s twentieth year in and provided comments. Generally, Resources Advisory Committee operation. the Water Management District staff (WRAC). Ms. Payton was appointed In celebration of two decades of recommendations reflect the input of by Governing Board member Mitch effective wildlife advocacy, the Fed- the Federation and other conservation Hutchcraft, Vice President of Real eration will hold its annual banquet advocates. Estate for the King Ranch/Consoli- on Saturday, June 21, at the Naples Recommendations presented to dated Citrus. Hilton Hotel. the Water Management District Gov- WRAC is an important forum for Please save the date. Details will erning Board fall into three general public input regarding water resource be forthcoming in early 2014. The categories: retain or evaluate for sale, policy issues in South and Central Federation will be honoring all who 3. Why does it seem like mos- exchange, or lease. Florida. Members of the commit- have contributed to the regional of- quitoes are worse than usual this In the “continue as is” recom- tee reflect a broad range of business, fice’s success. summer in Florida, and what can mendation for the Okaloacoochee agricultural, environmental, tribal, you do about it? Slough, Water Management District governmental and public interests. staff wrote “the area supports natural Ms. Payton’s attention is focused on systems restoration and protection, the impacts of water policy decisions provides natural storage of water, on Florida panthers and other helps mitigate flood damage through native wildlife of the Greater its storage capacity, and supplies clean Everglades. water to downstream areas. Staff The committee meets recognizes…the value as a popular monthly and holds work- public use area.” The Federation shops as needed. Its mission recommended retaining the property is to: and expanding exotic removal and fire • Build consensus re- management programs. garding water resource activ- There are significant holdings ities including the implemen- along and near the Caloosahatchee tation of the Comprehen- See page 11 for answers, and River that may be important to water sive Everglades Restoration more information. quality, water storage, and habitat Plan, Regional Water Supply connectivity. The Federation is ad- Plans, and Lake Okeechobee Two deer and a reflection on Collier County’s Cara vocating that the fate of these proper- and Estuary Recovery. Cara Preserve. Photo courtesy of FGCU Panther Posse.

4 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida NORTHEAST FLORIDA REPORT by Sarah Owen Gledhill, FWF’s Northeast Florida Planning Advocate

siliency Assessment for taries are vulnerable too. As sea level copies of his Waltzes with Giants at local governments rises, the shifting salinities will im- the Right Whale Festival on Novem- 4) providing policy pact the river’s vegetation and vary- ber 23, 2013 at the Beach Pavilion in recommendations ing species. This will have a negative Jacksonville Beach. There is a new say- impact on the resources and the com- We have spent the last year rais- ing—today’s flood is mercial and recreational fisheries that ing funds to purchase 100 copies of tomorrow’s high tide— rely upon them. Stone’s Waltzes with Giants. We and that certainly ap- The Federation is eager to stay have almost reached our goal and are plies to many areas of engaged and help move these policy still cultivating a relationship with Northeast Florida. The recommendations forward through the schools as to how best to deliver Federation is calling for short and the adoption and implementation these books to the students for con- long range goals for adaptation plan- stages. This will strengthen our com- servation education. Responding to Sea ning. Every future decision to invest munities to make them more resilient In the meantime, FWC has set up in coastal infrastructure needs to take while protecting our natural habitats an amazing Flickr website (http:// Level Rise into account a risk reduction plan to and wildlife corridors. flic.kr/s/aHsjD5PQHj) to allow the help encourage development in low public to see the current season’s In October 2012, the Southeast risk areas. This strategy will in ef- (2012-2013) sightings of these amaz- Florida Regional Climate Change fect encourage the conservation of ing creatures. Check out the photos Compact Counties released their Re- our ecosystems by leaving our un- North Atlantic Right like this one of three juveniles taken gional Climate Action Plan. Is North- developed natural habitats as buffers eight miles off shore from Ponte Ve- east Florida next? With a region of to storms in the short term. As these Whale Calving dra Beach on January 28, 2013. high coastal exposure, the Federation infrastructure dollars are shifted in- Season is Around is supporting efforts for Northeast land to lower risk areas, the conflict the Corner Florida to move in the same direc- between wildlife corridors and future It is almost that time tion as the Southeast Florida partner- development will play out unless we of year again when the ship. An independent report looks at begin to identify migration corridors Northeast office kicks into sea level rise and, most importantly, for future acquisition programs. high gear to celebrate the recommendations for policy makers Our St. Johns River and its tribu- return of the North At- to adopt and implement in September lantic right whale to our 2013. The report, guided by a year- coastal waters to calve the long committee, looks at the follow- next generation. Author, ing: illustrator and educator 1) the vulnerability of the region Peter Stone will be back to sea level rise in the area conducting pre- 2) developing sea level rise as- sentations and workshops Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation sumptions for the public. He will Commission, NOAA Research Permit #15488 3) performing a Community Re- also be at our table signing

2013 Fish or Cruise Sweepstakes Winner

By Claudia Farren Geographic Endeavour, or $10,000 FWF Sweepstakes Coordinator in cash. The Sweepstakes drawing was held on June 20, 2013 at 3 pm In January, the Florida Wildlife at FWF Headquarters in Tallahassee, Federation kicked off its First An- and supervised by Carroll and Co., nual Fish or Cruise Sweepstakes Inc., Certified Public Accountants. offering three Grand Prize choices – five days of fishing for the winner and a companion at the Waterfall The winning ticket, won by Beth Fic- Resort on Prince of Wales Island in quette, was drawn by Michael Dupree Beth Ficquette of St. Petersburg, Florida, Southeast Alaska, a 10-day cruise of Carroll and Company, CPAs. On the (middle) winner of the First Annual Fish or for two with Lindblad-National right is Claudia Farren, FWF Sweep- Cruise Sweepstakes, receiving her Grand Geographic Expeditions to the stakes Coordinator, with the winning Prize certificate from Brianna Jones, FWF Galapagos Islands on the National ticket. Youth Conservation Director (left) and Keith Overton, FWF At-Large Director (right).

4 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 5 species in the state, with 86 species found to date. New Eagle Club Member: In 1957, the Jim Woodruff Dam was completed at the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee, creating Beth Ficquette, St. Petersburg 37,000 acre Lake Seminole, which altered the flow of the Apalachicola Howard Petrie, Jupiter and created areas of scouring in the river bottom due to pulses of water released from the dam. In addition, New Life Members: when commercial barge traffic used the river, taxpayer-funded dredging Rita Taylor, Cleburne, TX projects dug out the river bottom. This voluminous sediment was de- Preston Robertson Lynne Glatter, Palm Beach Vice-President for Conservation & posited onto the river banks, creating General Counsel artificial “mountains” in what had Susan Marie Williams, Ormond Beach been highly productive wetlands. The Apalachicola – Even with this alteration, in 1969, A Threatened Apalachicola Bay was designated a Treasure state aquatic preserve and in 1984, the Thank you for your support! United Nations recognized the lower The Apalachicola River in Flori- Apalachicola watershed as a being of da’s Panhandle starts as a trickle in significant scientific and educational *Legacy Club Members are those who have donated $5000 or more in a single gift. Eagle Club Members are $1000 donors, and Life Members are $500 donors. the mountains of northeast Georgia, importance. Contiguous to Tate’s more than 500 miles from its mouth Hell State Forest, the Apalachicola at the City of Apalachicola on the National Forest, and other protected Gulf of Mexico. The Apalachicola lands, the river still retains great bio- is actually the result of the merging logical value. Historically, over 90% of two rivers: the Chattahoochee and of Florida’s oysters and 13% of the the Flint, both in Georgia. From its entire oyster production in the United start north of sprawling Atlanta, the States came from Apalachicola Bay. Chattahoochee flows 430 miles south Threats to the river come from up- to the Florida/Georgia border. The stream water storage and withdrawal Flint, starting south of Atlanta, joins activities and man-made manipula- the Chattahoochee at the Florida tion. Although commercial barge The Apalachicola state line, forming the Apalachicola, traffic has ceased, for now, the impact Preston Robertson and the Corps on which runs for approximately 107 of the dam and the discharge of water the River miles within our state. In total, 19,500 from Lake Seminole is always a con- square miles (12.5 million acres) are cern. Moreover, the many years of within the watersheds of these three contention amongst Florida, Georgia rivers. and Alabama as to water withdrawals The Apalachicola has a much sto- affecting the Apalachicola continue. ried past. Serving as the boundary At present, the Federation and between East and West Florida under the Apalachicola Riverkeeper are British rule, it was used as a high- in negotiations with the U.S. Army way by Americans after territorial Corps of Engineers as to the Corps’ designation in 1821 and statehood proposed work on the river. We hope FWF, Apalachicola Riverkeeper and in 1845. Andrew Jackson marched to be able to come to a compromise Corps personnel here and Confederate forces built so that while safety is maintained for Touring the Apalachicola forts along its banks to stop upriver people, the ecological values of this (above and below) threats by the Union navy. The river, internationally-recognized treasure fed by many springs, and augment- are not harmed. ed by water from the Chipola River, boasted an enormous flood plain in these earlier times. Annual flooding spread rich soils over its banks, creat- ing the conditions necessary for what for many years was an unsurpassed fishery in the river and in Apalachic- ola Bay. The river still possesses the “Sand Mountain” - a massive spoil greatest number of freshwater fish deposit on the Apalachicola

6 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida Photography by June 8, 2013 Awards Banquet in Haines City Photography by Lou Kellenberger Steve Johnson

Manley Fuller addresses the banquet attendees

Samantha Ruiz, Christopher Stampar, Chris Castro, Clayton Ferrara, and William Chorvat from the left, Stella Davis, M. C. Members of the Lightsey Family accepting their of IDEAS for Us Davis, Christina Robertson, Linda award for Land Conservationist of the Year Stanley, Preston Robertson IN from the left, Nancy MEMORIAM Payton, Preston A Donation has been received in Robertson and memory of: attorney Tom Reese John H. Rouse, Jr. by John Lowen and Jeffery Knight Cary Lightsey making acceptance speech for Scott Kimble Lightsey Cattle Company by Bruce Kimble

Scottie Tagatz Martha Musgrove discussed the by Liz, Joe and Travis West history of the Johnny and Mari- by Kirk and Virginia Pristas ana Jones era in preparation for Dr. Ray Carthy talks with the dedication ceremony of the FWF Director Rick Abbott Jones Memorial at Hungryland Aaron Lowe by Heather Lowe Vice Chair Ned Stone made remarks by Wendy Lowe to conclude the evening’s events by Terry and Penny Maskell,

Aunt Shirly and Tracie from the left, Sarah by Fred and Joanne Molesworth Gledhill, Lou Kellenberger, Northwest Nancy Regional Director by Damon and Traci Kroetsch Payton and Linda Stanley Bob Walker by Patricia Walker

Jefre Vanek- John A. Mateo Dasovich and Fisher Gledhill by Jan Brown were the two youngest FWF The Federation thanks you for your thoughtful contributions. We express Life members Life Member and volunteer, Carol present Vanek, visited with Michelle Hakemoller, our sympathy to family and friends of those who have passed away. FWF staff, while they greeted the ban- quet attendees

6 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 7 The Federation’s annual selection of conservationists is one of the old- THE FEDERATION’S 76th est and most prestigious conservation awards programs in the state. Honorees are selected from nominations made to the Federation’s board of directors and are chosen for their dedicated efforts on behalf ANNUAL CONSERVATION of Florida’s fish and wildlife and native habitats. The 76th Annual FWF Conservation Awards Banquet was held on June 8th at the FFA AWARD WINNERS Leadership Training Center in Haines City, Florida.

Photography by WILDLIFE CONSERVA- LAND CONSERVATION- WATER CONSERVATION- Steve Johnson TIONIST OF THE YEAR IST OF THE YEAR IST OF THE YEAR CONSERVATIONIST OF Don Fox, FWC The Lightsey Cattle Company Cynthia Barnett THE YEAR Hilary Swain

Mr. Don Fox, a biological adminis- Lightsey Family trator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), has Sixth-generation Floridians Cary and As a journalist and author for 25 Dr. Hilary Swain has been the Ex- served the citizens and environment of Layne Lightsey come from a long line of years, Cynthia Barnett has long sought ecutive Director of Archbold Expeditions our state for 30 years. His knowledge of cattlemen and have the Cracker culture to impart a “water ethic” to Floridians since 1995, overseeing activities at the fisheries management and aquatic sys- in their veins. The Lightseys own four and our elected officials. Earning Bach- Archbold Biological Station (ABS) and tems is without peer and his dedication to ranches in Central Florida: Tiger Lake elor and Master’s Degrees from the the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research the restoration of the Kissimmee River / and West Lake Wales Ranches in Polk University of Florida, she has spent her Center (MAERC). Totaling approxi- Lake Okeechobee / Everglades ecosystem County, the XL Ranch in Highlands career educating others about the critical mately 20,000 acres, these two sites, with is without question. County and Brahma Island in Osceola need to conserve this precious and life- a staff of 50, conserve a very special area Mr. Fox’s intense focus on interna- County. The Lightsey Cattle Company is sustaining resource. She has truly been of Florida – the ancient scrublands that tionally-recognized Lake Okeechobee a family affair, with extended family shar- a passionate and positive voice for con- existed when adjacent seas were much has proven a boon for the lake. His ef- ing the duties of running the operations. servation, particularly water as a public higher. Not only are these lands impor- forts in improving the littoral zone of this Unlike some other ranchers who have resource. tant ecologically, but they also provide massive waterbody have aided in game heard the siren song of development, the As the author of Blue Revolution: drinking water for much of Central fish populations and water clarity. The Lightseys have stayed true to their roots Unmaking America’s Water Crisis and Florida. lake provides a multitude of recreational and the love of the land. They have ac- Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Wa- Situated near Lake Placid on the Lake opportunities and generates significant tively sought to find ways to protect their ter of the Eastern U.S., she has attempted Wales Ridge, ABS conducts long-term revenue to the state and local economy. ranchlands forever, yet still make a living. to explain to the American public the research management of natural areas and By successfully coordinating with the By utilizing perpetual conservation ease- crisis we are facing in Florida’s water working lands, environmental monitoring U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the ments, Cary and Layne have protected supplies. Not only does she address the and scientific education for kindergartners South Florida Water Management Dis- nearly 70% of their holdings to the bet- ongoing problems of our management up to graduate students. Conservation trict, Don has served Floridians well. He terment of our ecology, our water supply, of water, but she provides possible so- biology, land planning and endangered has advocated for lowering water levels our wildlife habitat and our quality of life. lutions. Indeed, Cynthia imparts that we species recovery are all part of the mis- in Lake Okeechobee to a more natural Brahma Island, situated in Lake Kis- are suffering from an illusion of water sion of ABS. MAERC synthesizes cattle state and for the removal of nutrient rich simmee, is a 3,300 acre natural treasure. abundance, and her works have been ranching, local economies and the sus- sediments. He has consistently worked The island consists of several habitat compared to those of fabled environ- tainability of the Northern Everglades to restore this long-suffering lake back types, from sand dunes to oak hammock mentalists Rachel Carson and Marjory region. By acting as a liaison between to environmental sustainability. and scrub. Many eagles nest on the island, Stoneman Douglas. public agencies and private landowners, For his outstanding efforts on behalf and 28 other listed species have homes For her deep commitment to educat- Dr. Swain is helping build important con- of conserving the natural resources of the there. Moreover, Native Americans uti- ing Floridians and others as to the im- nections that will benefit conservation for Everglades region, the Federation was lized the land 10,000 years ago. portance of clean and abundant water, years to come. pleased to name Don Fox as the Wildlife The Lightsey Cattle Company was for ourselves, the public and our envi- For her long-term commitment to Conservationist of the Year for 2013. honored for its outstanding efforts on ronment, the Federation was proud to Florida’s environment and wildlife and behalf of Florida land stewardship as name Cynthia Barnett as the Water Con- her passionate and tireless efforts on the FWF’s Land Conservationist of the year. servationist of the Year for 2013. behalf of all our natural treasures, the Federation was very pleased to name Dr. Hilary Swain as its Conservationist of the Year for 2013.

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8 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida LAND CONSERVATION & and learning about natural Florida through For the last several years, Franklin has PLANNING AWARD daily field trips and summer excursions. led an interdisciplinary, interagency team In 2010, Rae became Director of the of engineers, scientists and managers Paul Ebersbach Florida Youth Conservation Centers in the development of unmanned aerial Network. This network is an outgrowth systems to assess wildlife habitats and of the realization that our children are populations. becoming disconnected from the natural For his lifetime spent in bettering our world, insofar as computer and video understanding of Florida’s natural world, games take up the vast majority of their and for sharing that knowledge and his free time. The Network now encompasses wisdom with others, the Federation was not only the flagship Beau Turner Youth honored to name Dr. H. Franklin Percival FRANCIS S. TAYLOR Conservation Center in Jefferson County, as the Conservation Educator of the Year but several Wild Outdoors Centers and for 2013. OUTDOORSMAN OF THE Near Outdoors Centers in more suburban YEAR settings. As Director, Rae spearheads this LAW ENFORCEMENT OF- Daniel T. Alvarez While preservation of natural lands statewide initiative, from program design FICER OF THE YEAR means a great deal, it is the management to actual construction of the facilities. of those lands which can take a piece For her consistent commitment to Officer Bryan Fugate, FWC of property and make it special and environmental education of Floridians, bountiful. Paul Ebersbach, as Chief of especially our youth, the Federation was the Environmental Flight at Avon Park pleased to name Rae Waddell as the Air Force Range, has spent his career Conservation Communicator of the Year turning this 106,000 acre tract in Central for 2013. Florida into a premier conservation and recreational area. CONSERVATION EDUCA- The base is situated within a complex TOR OF THE YEAR of protected lands in the heart of Florida H. Franklin Percival and provides a natural buffer for the Daniel Alvarez could not attend due to Kissimmee River. By the adoption of an his ongoing journey. His award was “avoidance and minimization” policy, accepted by his parents, Carlos Alvarez training operations, which include bomb Raised in DeSoto County in a law and Anna Lee. testing, have little negative impact on the enforcement family, Bryan Fugate en- ecological functions of the land. joyed life in the outdoors growing up. He For his outstanding commitment to hunted, fished and helped run his family’s After growing up in Tallahassee, Dan- the betterment of our natural resources, cattle ranch. As a youth, Officer Fugate iel Alvarez received a degree in Finance the Federation was proud to award Paul began to appreciate natural Florida by and Economics from the University Ebersbach with the Land Conservation recreating in the Florida Keys and on of Florida before attending Yale Law and Planning Award for 2013. the Gulf Coast. He became an FWC Of- School. Prior to going to Yale, Daniel Dr. Ray Carthy, also of the University of ficer in 2009. He has since served in the decided to hike the Appalachian Trail Florida Coop Unit, attended and received Florida Keys. and during law school he completed the BIFF LAMPTON CONSER- the award for Franklin Percival. Officer Fugate has established strong Pacific Crest Trail. Hired as a corporate working relationships with other law attorney in California, Daniel practiced VATION COMMUNICA- Dr. Franklin Percival has dedicated enforcement entities in South Florida, law until the economic downturn left him TOR OF THE YEAR his life to the education of students who including the Florida Division of Law with time to fill. He took the opportunity Rae W. Waddell wished to make a positive difference in Enforcement (FDLE) and federal authori- to hike the Continental Divide Trail, thus our world. He is the Program Leader for ties and with the greater community. He accomplishing what is known as the Tri- the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife is also active with the Boy Scouts and at ple Crown of Hiking (a total of over 7,900 Research Unit. The Coop Unit seeks to Florida Keys Community College. miles!). These experiences prepared him provide research, graduate education and Officer Fugate’s duties center on hu- for even more arduous tasks. technical assistance, with an emphasis on man safety and resource protection. He is Daniel next looked into traversing Florida’s remaining wetlands and wetland the lead investigator for DUI and BUIs in Middle America by water. Outside Maga- species. his patrol area and is intimately familiar zine was offering a national prize for the Working in coordination with the U.S. with the regulations governing the charter most interesting outdoor adventure and Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geo- boat industry, balancing this economic Daniel won by popular vote. His trip, in logical Survey, U.S. Army Corps of En- driver with conservation of our marine a donated Necky sea kayak, commenced gineers and the Florida Fish and Wildlife fisheries. He handles issues ranging from at Angle Inlet, Minnesota, the northern- Conservation Commission, Franklin has narcotic smuggling to illegal aliens and most point in the continental United Rae Waddell has long worked in the advanced the cause of wetlands education sea turtle poaching. States, and ended in Key West, a total field of environmental protection. In and thereby protection by his many years In appreciation for his diligence and of over 4,000 paddled miles. Along the 1991, she commenced working for the of work. dedication to human safety and resource way, he videotaped his daily routine and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Franklin’s career has taken him from protection, the Federation’s Board of Di- wrote highly informational blog pieces on Commission (FWC), first with freshwater digging for alligator eggs at Lake Apopka rectors selected Bryan Fugate as its Fish what it was like to actually see the coun- fisheries, and since 1995, with outdoor to airboating over marshland and lakes and Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of try from the water. This included scenes education. As Director of the Joe Budd across the state. His extensive field work the Year for 2013. of tremendous natural beauty as well as Aquatic Education Center near Tallahas- has aided his ability to mentor his students see, Rae oversaw the education of thou- with a “real world” education that compli- sands of students who spent time fishing ments his academic credentials. cont’d next page

8 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 9 heartbreaking images of the pollution that of the miles of trails that connect the E. board, has endowed upwards of $18 mil- DAVIS from page 1 has spoiled our heritage. O. Wilson Center to the swamps and vast lion over the last 30 years to a variety of Daniel has a strong appreciation longleaf pine flatwoods that are being entities. Included in these grants have for nature and all its gifts. He is a true restored by Mr. Davis. Active wildlife been funding for protection of the Apala- The 50,000 acre Nokuse Planta- conservationist and has a great ability research occurs near the Center, empha- chicola River and Estuary, local land tion in Walton County, M.C. Davis’ to communicate the importance of land sizing gopher tortoise restoration and trust administration, the Florida Forever beautiful property, is being preserved stewardship and appreciation of natural other native species conservation. program, ocean management and clean- forever to benefit of wildlife and our resources, here in Florida, as well as Attending the Awards Ceremony in up, oyster reefs in the St. Lucie Estuary, citizens. Nokuse (pronounced no- across the United States. Haines City, Florida, on June 8th were public trail systems, protection of the goo-see) is Creek Indian for “black For his contributions to the apprecia- Christy Scally, the President of the E. O. Peace River watershed, the Everglades bear.” The Florida black bear has a tion of natural systems, and his adven- Wilson Biophilia Center, Lauren Bray, an and Biscayne Bay. The Foundation’s great haven at the plantation. In ad- turous spirit and accomplishments as an instructor from the Center, and Mr. and positive aid has been felt all over the dition, Nokuse Plantation serves as outdoorsman, the Federation was proud Mrs. M. C. Davis. state and has benefited not only recipient a key research and recipient site for to name Daniel Alvarez as the Francis organizations, but the public at large. Bet- S. Taylor Outdoorsman of the Year for ter development planning, cleaner water, gopher tortoises and the over 100 2013. Since Daniel was unable to attend protecting additional wildlife habitat and other species that rely upon gopher the awards ceremony, his parents, Car- pollution cleanup have been the result tortoise burrows. Longleaf pines and los Alvarez and Anna Lee, accepted the of the Foundation’s funding. While it is wiregrass, which once covered most award on his behalf. difficult to pinpoint any one grant that of Florida and the South and now exist is better than any other, one particular only as a remnant, have been planted grant of interest is that which funded in the millions all over M. C. Davis’ CONSERVATION ORGA- environmental reporting on public radio plantation. The re-establishment of in Tallahassee. Not only was information this natural community and the use NIZATION OF THE YEAR about our fragile ecology disseminated Lauren Bray, Stella Davis and of prescribed burning have allowed E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center to area residents, but state legislators in Christy Scally a myriad of native plant and animal town for the Legislative Session were also educated. species to flourish. Nokuse also serves For its long-standing and dedicated as a critical wildlife corridor eastward PRESIDENT’S AWARD commitment to environmental integrity from Eglin Air Force Base to the in Florida, the Federation was pleased to Choctawhatchee River. Elizabeth Ordway Dunn name the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foun- Other outstanding conservation Foundation dation as the recipient of the President’s projects initiated by M.C. Davis Award for 2013. include the 30,000 acre Mallory Swamp conservation area in Lafayette County, 3,200 acre Glass Mountain in Christy Scally & Lauren Bray of the E. Georgia and the 210 acre Alexander O. Wilson Biophilia Center accepted the Bat Cave site in Tennessee. award. As the founder and funder of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, Mr. The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center, Davis ardently seeks to instill an near the Panhandle town of Bruce, is a environmental ethic into the minds world-class environmental education fa- of young Floridians. The Center has cility. As the brain-child of conservation- ist M.C. Davis, the Center is named for Bob Jensen, a Managing Director of the educated thousands of school children living legend, Alabama-born, biologist, Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, ac- to date, and these youngsters will one researcher, naturalist, conservationist cepted the award. Donna Lummus and day be those charged with stewardship and noted author, Dr. Edward O. Wil- Rodman Titcomb, the other two Directors, of our state. They will be much bet- were unable to attend the awards ceremony. son, whose efforts on behalf of global ter prepared to meet these challenges, conservation and biological research thanks to Mr. M. C. Davis. are unsurpassed. Indeed, “biophilia,” a Elizabeth Ordway Dunn truly loved For his undaunted commitment to term Dr. Wilson promotes, means the nature and Florida. Prior to her death the “real Florida,” and selfless devo- connection humans have with the rest in 1983, she established a foundation in tion to long-term conservation, the of the natural world. These connections her name, with the mission of funding Federation was proud to name M.C. are strengthened every day at the Center. efforts in our state which advanced en- Davis as its twenty-fifth inductee into Situated within the 50,000 acre Nokuse vironmental protection and restoration the FWF Hall of Fame. Plantation, thousands of students each through planning, environmental health, year are able to learn about the state’s nat- biological diversity, pollution abate- ural environment through interpretive ex- ment and . The hibits and by a curriculum that coincides Foundation’s financial underwriting of with Florida state educational standards. many of Florida’s conservation non-profit The FWF was happy to have 16 indi- The success of the Center has made it organizations has greatly helped to keep viduals from IDEAS For Us present at a veritable adjunct of Walton and other conservation advocates in the field and the our June 7-9 meeting weekend in Haines county school systems. All students are office doors open. The Dunn Foundation City. The IDEAS group held their own provided with opportunities for inquiry, has been a catalyst for sound environmen- Staff and Board meeting simultaneously investigation and hands-on experimenta- tal policy across Florida for three decades. to review their national and internation- tion. Moreover, they can take advantage The Dunn Foundation, through its al chapter plans for 2013.

10 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida PRESIDENT from page 3 Florida Wildlife Supporter, Please see our recent letter (below) to the efit the area’s fish and wildlife includ- FWC commissioners calling for a deer im- One of the values that help define what it means to be ing migratory fish like striped bass, portation ban due to chronic wasting dis- a Floridian is our desire to protect and preserve our land, sturgeon, American shad, as well ease threat. Please let the FWC know your thoughts at www.myfwc.com. water, and open spaces. Today, Florida as we know it is as manatees. A restored floodplains under threat, and that’s why I need your help right now. would return to bottomland habitat If you haven’t already, please join me and sign the Flori- The Florida Wildlife Federation on behalf of which when flooded is great duck our Board of Directors and thousands of mem- da Water and Land Legacy petition and help get this critical habitat. The U.S. Forest Service is bers across the state reiterate our call to clos- amendment on the ballot, www.floridawaterlandlegacy.org. working to get water off of archaeo- ing the state borders to the importation of deer Be sure to read FWF’s message below about this important amendment and logical sites and restore the historic and other members of the deer family Cervidae what it means for our great state. Thanks for all you’re doing to make Florida a springs and channel. FWF believes a at the earliest possible date. We are concerned better place now and for future generations. restored river will once again provide about our native white tailed deer population great fishing opportunities as it did which our members enjoy whether through For Florida, historically. hunting or viewing. White tailed deer are argu- Sen. Bob Graham I am impressed at how fast citi- ably our most popular game animal, provide zens can mobilize now to raise public the major prey for the endangered Florida pan- PS: Many thanks to all of you who have already signed the petition. Please be sure awareness and urge proactive action ther and in the middle Keys are represented by the endangered Key Deer. The reason we want to share this, post the petition to Facebook, or tweet the petition and encourage to address conservation concerns. Re- to close the borders is we want to do everything your friends and family to sign too. cent examples are people coming out in opposition to surplus of historic possible to keep the devastating disease chron- ic wasting disease out of our state and impor------public lands like Ward’s Creek—see www.savewardscreek.com—and to tation of deer is a known vector of CWD. We mount petition campaigns concern- should close our borders as have other south- Dear FWF supporter, eastern states to help prevent this scourge. We ing the huge Lake Okeechobee flows. believe that it is critical for the Florida Fish We are once again writing members Protecting our waters, cherished natural areas and wildlife are fundamental and Wildlife Conservation Commission to take of Congress urging the protection of to a healthy and vibrant Florida. That’s why the Florida Wildlife Federation is this action now. We have always supported the the units of the costal barrier resource working with Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Campaign to place a critical con- constitutional status of the FWC so that you system in the Florida Panhandle and servation amendment on the November 2014 ballot. Download your petition at can uphold your public trust responsibility for working together with allies includ- www.fwfonline.org/Petition/Water-Land-Conservation.aspx. Florida’s Fish and Wildlife. We believe now is ing NWF to promote Gulf restora- We need to gather 550,000 more signatures from Florida voters in the next 5 a time and this is a circumstance where you all tion dollars being dedicated to the need to take the decisive action of banning the months. Will you help us reach that goal by signing a petition today? long term benefit of the Gulf and its importation of deer from other state’s. Unfor- The amendment allocates less than one percent of our state budget to fund watersheds through significant con- tunately chronic wasting disease is on the rise conservation-which is the least we can do to protect Florida’s natural treasures. servation projects like expanding St. and spreading. Note that we called for the bor- Add your voice to the more than 150,000 Florida voters who’ve already signed Marks National Wildlife Refuge and der closure in October 2012, and nothing has the petition. Please take a moment to sign the petition for Florida’s Water and Land other conservation projects around the occurred since to give us comfort that anything Conservation Amendment today. Each petition is a message from a Florida voter Gulf. Thank you. Your ongoing sup- short of total closure should occur. who cares deeply about protecting what’s best about living here: miles of beaches, port is much appreciated. beautiful parks, crystal clear springs, endless opportunities to swim, bike and fish, Respectfully Yours, and an amazing diversity of plants and animals. We must take a stand to protect Manley Fuller, FWF President Florida’s natural heritage! You can also help by spreading the word! Share this with at least five friends and invite them to sign the petition. ANSWERS TO FLORIDA KIDS’ QUIZ We know how much you care about protecting clean water, restoring vital 1. We should limit our use of fertilizers and use natural fertilizers like compost be- natural areas, and safeguarding our springs and other magnificent treasures for cause nitrogen and phosphorous will leach out of fertilizers when it rains and pollute our future generations. That’s why we know we can count on you not only to sign waterways. We don’t want pollution in the place that our fish and aquatic animals live. the petition, but to spread the word and urge more Floridians to take action for Too much nitrogen in the water causes algae growth, and then critters like manatees can’t Florida’s future. find their usual sea grass to eat and feed on the algae instead, get sick and die. Some pol- You can also visit the campaign’s website to learn more about the campaign and lutants are responsible for fish kills, as well. sign up to volunteer today, www.floridawaterlandlegacy.org. Florida needs your 2. Kids can establish a wildlife habitat on school grounds, which is a place set aside help, and together we will create an environmental legacy we can all be proud of! on school property for native wildlife to live, find food and water and have their young. There are 418 certified habitats at schools in Florida and more that have not been certified For Florida’s future, by National Wildlife Federation. There are 4,925 certified habitats at schools in the whole Florida Wildlife Federation country, and that is something we should be proud of. Florida has more than 1/10 of all habitats in 50 states. You do the math. That’s pretty good, isn’t it? Go on our website at www.fwfonline.com and read about habitats there, tell your science teachers about what If you would like to contribute to the Florida Water and Legacy Campaign visit you learn, and ask if he or she will lead the students in establishing one at your school. www.floridawaterlandlegacy.org. If you would like to contribute to FWF’s land 3. Well, this is a trick question, it SEEMS like mosquitoes are worse this year because conservation efforts visit www.fwfonline.org. they ARE! Experts agree that it’s because we have had more rain in Florida than usual, and mosquitoes need rain to reproduce. This is what you can do about it. Look around your yard and neighborhood streets and see if you can find anywhere where there is stand- ing water where mosquitoes can breed, dump the water out and turn the container upside down so that it doesn’t collect any more. Old tires are one of the worst places for breeding mosquitoes, so if you have a tire swing, ask an adult to drill holes in the bottom of it to let the water drain out. Sometimes you can see little mosquito larvae in standing water, they look like tiny black threads about ¼ of an inch long. They only need less than an inch of standing water to multiply. They are called “wigglers”. Dump them out and they will die, and it’s goodbye mosquitoes. How did you do, Florida Kid??!!

10 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 11 sure there are nearer points from which would either crash into the other gawk- more exciting than a small buck sport- one can embark. We just wanted to see ers or simply drive off the road! It is that ing spiked antlers but it is clear wildlife some “Big City” sites and have the op- spectacular. in and around the park has lost it’s fear tion to run up the California coast if the As advocates for preservation, we of human interactions. That is a danger- July 4th tourist crush was going to be follow in the footsteps of giants like ous formula that rangers remind you of too much. As it turned out, this was cer- John Muir. When you visit Yosemite constantly in the park. Jay Liles, tainly not the optimal time to visit Yo- you are literally walking in his foot- 4. Park Service employees work FWF Policy semite, but not the mob scene we had steps (paved over as they may be in under constant pressure to accomplish Consultant feared. It’s all a matter of where one many places within the most traveled all of this without inconveniencing the decides to spend their time, as we soon paths around the park). For those so in- throngs of visitors who arrive each day. learned. clined, you can escape the appropriately I have no idea how they manage it so Just so the record is clear, in my armored and accessible portions of the well and they all deserve a raise in my book Florida’s state parks and our own park and see it much as Muir did. It re- book. Everglades National Park (among oth- ally takes little effort and is worth the I look forward to our next National ers) don’t have to take a back seat when extra drive time to get to the quiet spots Park Adventure (no idea which one) but compared to their western sisters. View- that abound in a place this expansive. I have yet to be disappointed by what Yosemite, another ing a rain storm across the vast ‘Glades A couple of wonky thoughts clut- We the People have set aside as our na- can bring you to your knees. Taking tered my otherwise blissful encounter tional playgrounds and I am so thankful jewel in our Na- in the wildlife that seems to gather for with this national park: we have gotten to see so much of it. I tional Park Sys- your camera lens along just about any 1. We have neglected mainte- hope you all get a chance to experience path within Everglades National Park nance far too long in these special these wonderlands first hand. It is what tem, exemplifies is breathtaking. I guess it’s like most places. From the constant need to con- we fight to protect and preserve and a why we do the things in life – proximity breeds a cer- duct controlled burns to the upkeep and visit to any of them will only make you tain sense of complacency. I know the maintenance of park facilities there is more aware of why that is so important. work we do. Everglades is a special place but I am a great deal that could and should be awestruck by the grand scale that is our done. It’s been a “bucket list” challenge western parks – from the Grand Canyon 2. The fees charged to visit these my wife and I share – to visit as many of to Rainer to Rocky Mountain National wonderful places are ridiculously low the nation’s national parks as possible. it is clear why we have to preserve these ($20 bought us a week of access by car, So far we are at 23 and counting. Six sacred landscapes and why we fight free shuttle services anywhere once we of those are among the many located for such far-away places like the Arc- were inside and numerous other accom- right here in Florida. I am excluding tic National Wildlife Refuge to remain modations). Congress should revisit the the many parks with this designation in unspoiled by gas and oil exploration. fee schedules and devote any increases Washington, D.C. because, well, it is Ask anyone who has been there – when exclusively to the maintenance of the the nation’s capital so what else would you exit the tunnel leading to Yosemite parks themselves. you expect? I focus on the more nature- Valley and see Half Dome and El Capi- 3. We should explore the benefits based parks for my list of must see’s. tan spread before you can’t help but to be derived from temporarily closing This July it was Yosemite, Sequoia be thunderstruck. There is a reason the certain sections of the parks to allow and King’s Canyon (all in close prox- tunnel sports large, flashing signs as you nature to heal and for wildlife to return imity to one another and located in the prepare to emerge from the dark, warn- and become more wary of the humans Sierra Nevada Range). We chose San Jay hugging a giant Sequoia in Mariposa ing you to “PREPARE TO STOP!” You in their midst. I never saw anything Francisco as the port of arrival but I am Grove, Yosemite National Park.

The Florida Wildlife Federation’s 2013 Seventh Annual “Green” Car Sweepstakes is giving away an outstanding choice of one of four fuel-efficient automo- biles or $25,000 in cash on December 12 at Federation headquarters in Tallahassee. To check out this year’s models click on http://www.fwfonline.org/Sweeps- Archive/Car/2013-Green-Car-Sweepstakes.aspx. The “Green” Car Sweepstakes, in conjunction with the Federation’s 23rd Annual Boating Sweepstakes repre- sents one of the most important fundraising programs for FWF. The proceeds are used to support vital programs and conservation initiatives in Florida.

Watch for your tickets in the mail or play Pictured is the Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid, one of online anytime by going to FWF’s website four cars to choose from in this year’s fund-raising sweep- and clicking on the Sweepstakes button at stakes. the top of every page. Then click on Green Car Sweepstakes or Boating Sweepstakes. If The Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid is the world’s first turbocharged hybrid (42 city/48 highway mpg). With 170 you would like a set of tickets mailed to you, hp available from a 1.4-liter direct-injection engine and a send an email to FWF at hybridcarsweeps@ 27-hp electric motor, VW’s new hybrid can spring to 60 fwfonline.org or boatsweeps@fwfonline. mph in under 9 seconds. With a top speed of 130 mph, it’s org or call our toll-free number (800) 656- the first hybrid to utilize a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic 3014. Please provide your full name and transmission. Even more impressive, at speeds of 84 mph complete mailing address to receive a pack- and under, when the driver decides to coast, the engine can et of tickets. Specify “Hybrid Sweeps” or decouple and turn off completely, improving gas mileage and making it emissions-free. This hybrid has a luxurious “Boat Sweeps” in the Subject line. interior with tons of legroom and trunk space. Standard features include: Bluetooth with audio streaming, Touch-

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY screen sound system with hybrid system display, Tiptronic CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY Transmission, Sport mode and carefree maintenance. THE STATE (CH-499).

12 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida SOUTHERN REGION Nominee Profiles for District Directors DISTRICT VII “Eight District Directors (one for each district) shall be elected by the Individual Associate and Corporate or Business members. Nominations for those eight District Directors shall be published to the Individual Associate and Corporate or Business members in the form of a ballot at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Such ballots shall be received by the Name: Linda Stanley Federation’s principal place of business no later than fifteen days prior to the annual meeting; otherwise, the votes on such Residence: West Palm Beach ballots shall not be counted. The ballots shall be tabulated by the Federation’s employees, verified by the Organizational Years of Florida Residence: 69 Occupation: Conservation Volunteer Affairs Committee, and announced at the conclusion of the other elections. The eight District Directors so elected shall Hobbies and Conservation Interests: be the nominees who received the most votes and neither declined their nomination nor were elected to another office or boating/canoeing/kayaking, camping, directorship.” – FWF Bylaws, article XI, section B – as amended September, 2005. freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, envi- ronmental activism/lobbying, conservation PLEASE USE BALLOT ON PAGE 2 OR VOTE ONLINE AT WWW.FWFONLINE.ORG/BALLOT education, bird watching/nature photogra- Only current members may vote. Please vote on the ballot on page 2, cut out and mail to: Director Ballots, Florida Wildlife phy, flying Federation, PO Box 6870, Tallahassee, FL 32314. The printed name and address on the reverse of the ballot will verify you Other Club/Organization Affiliations: are a member. If you wish to fax to (850) 942-4431, or scan and email to [email protected], make sure to include your Defenders of the Environment (Ocklawaha name and address for verification. You may also vote online atwww.fwfonline.org/ballot/ballot.aspx . River Restoration), Friends of Corbett and the Everglades Youth Conservation Ballots must be postmarked by September 12, 2013. For assistance call us at 1-800-656-3014. Camp, et al. Goals: As a longstanding member of the FWF and a steward of our natural resources, I have pledged to support the NORTHWEST REGION and Literature, ; writer, DISTRICT IV sound management of these resources, journalist with various newspapers and maga- Currently open the restoration of resources that have been zines (St. Peterburg Times, Washington Post); despoiled and the safe-keeping of signifi- DISTRICT I National Public Radio commentator and BBC cant resources for posterity. I believe that contributor. conservation education is key to accom- Hobbies and Conservation Interests: plishing these goals and plan to continue Name: Glenn Griffith Environmental Activism & Lobbying/Conserva- my support of the FWF’s efforts along Residence: Pensacola tion Education/Fundraising & Donor Develop- CENTRAL REGION these lines, as well as others. Years of Florida Residence: 54 ment/ Gardening/Habitat Restoration Occupation: Escambia County Brownfields Other Club/Organization Affiliations: Coordinator Tiger Bay Club (Tallahassee), Phi Beta Kappa, DISTRICT V DISTRICT VIII Hobbies and Conservation Interests: boat- SigmaKappa Sorority, Red Hills Writers group, ing/canoeing/kayaking, camping, SCUBA Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honoray diving/snorkeling, freshwater & saltwater Goals: As an 8th generation Floridian, I find Name: Jay Exum Name: Franklin Adams fishing, hunting, conservation education, that if I can tell the story of a place—the swamps Residence: Longwood Residence: Naples birdwatching/nature photography, cycling/ near Smith Creek where my father was born, the Years of Florida Residence: 28 Years of Florida Resi- hiking, gardening/habitat restoration green banks of the Chipola where my mother Occupation: Consulting ecologist dence: 70+ : Board Other club/organization affiliations comes from, or the northern Gulf coast where I Hobbies and Conservation Interests: Occupation: Fishing and Eco-tour Guide Member Northern Gulf Coast Chapter of spent summers as a child—it becomes that much boating/canoeing/kayaking, camping, scuba Hobbies and Conservation Interests: USGBC, Leadership in Energy and Environ- harder for people to ignore the potential destruc- diving/snorkeling, hunting, environmental boating/canoeing/kayaking, camping, mental Design (LEED), founding member of tion of that place. That’s what I’ve tried to do activism/lobbying, conservation education, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, hunt- Escambia/Santa Rosa Environmental Educa- in DreamState, my book on Florida, and in my bird watching/nature photography, cycling/ ing, environmental activism/lobbying, con- tion Coordination Team EECT and Resource journalism, and it’s what I would do as a director hiking, gardening/habitat restoration servation education, bird watching/nature Rangers Club, Creator and host of the multi of FWF. I want to get the word out about FWF Other Club/Organization Affiliations: Past photography, cycling/hiking, fundraising/ award winning environmental education TV in a positive way that demonstrates to everyone president; Florida Chapter of The Wildlife So- donor development series “The Resource Ranger” that we all have a stake in preserving our waters ciety. Past president, current Board member; Other Club/Organization Affiliations: Goals: My goals for serving on the FWF and wild places. Friends of the Wekiva River (FOWR). National Wildlife Federation, Audubon of Board will be to create a greater public Goals: Working on local environmental is- Florida, Collier Audubon, Collier Sports- awareness and education for Florida’s natural DISTRICT III sues with the FOWR, and representing pro- men’s & Conservation Club, Earthjustice, environment, to instill an ownership mentality fessional biologists at the state and national NRDC, Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton of the populace as a whole. I believe that if level has given me great personal satisfaction. Leage, Putnam County Environmental people understand that they have a stake in Name: Richard Hamann I believe that FWF provides a forum for Council the welfare of our state, and a voice that can Residence: Gainesville me to help influence resource conservation Goals: FWF has always been well repre- have an effect, then more people will become Years of Florida Residence: All across Florida. My technical expertise and sented by strong grassroots advocates state engaged in the fight to protect our beautiful Occupation: Attorney/faculty at UF experience with environmental issues from wide. I want to continue in that traditional state. I also hope to contribute to the protec- Hobbies and Conservation Interests: boat- the panhandle to the Everglades provides conservation work while supporting our tion, preservation and/or conservation of the ing/canoeing/kayaking, camping, scuba diving/ me with a context that could be of benefit to very professional and dedicated staff in our state’s natural resources and I would like to snorkeling, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, the Board of Directors. My goals for future three offices. In order to do so we must all affect some positive change for the economic hunting, environmental activism/lobbying, bird conservation activities would be to seek do what we can individually to generate models and policies that I believe have created watching/nature photography, gardening/habitat ways to enhance appreciation of the state’s financial support in order to accomplish our the problems we face today. restoration biological diversity, and to ensure protection mission and conservation goals. I strongly Other Club/Organization Affiliations: Florida of a network of conservation and agricultural support the public’s right to access and en- Defenders of the Environment; Alachua Con- lands across the state. joy Florida’s public lands in a responsible DISTRICT II servation Trust; University of Florida, Levin and respectful manner. When the public College of Law; St. Johns River Water Manage- DISTRICT VI can recreate in a special place you have a ment District Currently Open constituency that will fight to preserve and Name: Diane Roberts Goals: With my background in environmental protect these places into the future. Residence: Tallahassee law and policy, I can help FWF focus its limited Years of Florida Residence: Entire Life resources on those issues likely to yield the great- Occupation: Professor of Creative Writing est conservation benefit.

12 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 13 MUSGROVE from page 1 ing relief for damage being done to the The base of the dike is 15.5 feet. eral Environmental Protection Agency, parts. Currently, the parts in greatest Whenever the lake water level is high- and a Consent Decree that “settled” a the level of public trust that led to adop- distress are the St. Lucie River, Indian er, there is no filtering littoral zone to federal lawsuit filed in 1988. Increase tion of the Comprehensive Everglades River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River support fish and bird life. The popular the volume of water that runs through Restoration Plan (CERP) in 2000. That estuary, which are receiving gluts of se- idea that, after the dike is repaired, Lake the STAs, as CEEP proposes, and the plan not only laid out a vision of resto- verely damaging freshwater discharged Okeechobee can be allowed to rise and efficacy of those STAs is reduced. ration, it also included assurances that from Lake Okeechobee. “store water” would likely kill the lake. A dispute between the state and the existing levels of flood protection and Living on the east coast, I get daily During drought, the lake has fallen to 10 feds over sharing the blame for viola- water supply would be maintained. The reports of the toxic blue-green and mys- feet, which is also disastrous for fish and tions of water-quality standards and key to the plan was to capture and store terious brown algal blooms, along with bird life. At that level, “forward pump- over “who” (state or federal taxpayers) much of the water still draining and dis- Health Department warnings to stay out ing” has been used to pull water from will pay what share of costs to treat the charged to the sea. of the water. The Indian River Lagoon the lake to irrigate farm fields and move additional water stalled completion and “Everglades Restoration” began with will not recover for three or four years; it south to protect Miami-Dade well- release of the Project Implementation the Kissimmee River, which collects and businesses dependent on the lagoon fields. It has not been used to send water Report and the start of agency reviews water south of Orlando and flows into will shut down soon. Reports from the to the Caloosahatchee to halt the intru- required by the National Environmental Lake Okeechobee. Systemwide resto- west coast are also dire -- the fresh water sion of salt water upstream that shuts Policy Act. If those delays, in turn, mean ration would “follow the water south.” plume of the Caloosahatchee now ex- down a Lee County water-treatment the Army Corps of Engineers’ “Chief’s Restoration of 44 miles of winding river tends into the Gulf, and the river has lost plant. Wresting a few inches of water Report” doesn’t get to Congress by Dec. will be complete next year. South of the grasses, oysters and other shellfish. from the lake in May near the end of the 31, CEPP will be booted from the list of lake, restoration lags. Discharges from Lake Okeechobee dry season requires a bare-knuckle po- projects to be authorized this year. The volumes of water are enormous. are being made to alleviate concern that litical fray. The December deadline was set in The legacy nutrient-pollution issues are the Herbert Hoover Dike, which encir- Officially (legally) EAA runoff can- the Senate-passed Water Resources De- also enormous. Beyond planning, we’ve cles the lake, may fail. The dike does not be discharged to conservation areas velopment Act; the House began draft- not yet dealt effectively with either. not meet national dam-safety standards. without first going through a filtering ing its WRDA bill just before recessing On good days everyone involved rec- Water flows into the lake faster than it STA. The STAs have dramatically re- for vacation. Only if authorized, will ognizes the interconnections of the Kis- flows out, and the risk of failure increas- duced phosphorus in the runoff of farm CEPP have a chance of a “get-started” simmee-Lake Okeechobee-Everglades es as the lake rises to 17 feet and above. fields to 12-25 ppb. Still, the STAs do congressional appropriation. system. On bad days (30 days of 5-10 Lake Okeechobee is also shallow (about not consistently meet the 10 ppb stan- In a nutshell, that’s where I think we inches of rain, or 30 days of no rain at 10 feet on average), so the wind-driven dard established by the Florida Depart- are, heading into September’s storms. all) we are often at cross purposes, seek- “slosh” factor compounds concerns. ment of Environmental Protection, fed-

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14 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida 14 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News 15 Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way... For Wildlife Steve O’Hara spent his childhood family vacations camping in Florida’s state parks and national forests and paddling on Florida waters. He hunted and fished his way through high school and col- lege on Florida lands and waters which were open to public access. These experiences were the foundation for his lifelong devotion to conserving Florida wildlife habitat and keeping it open for public recreation.

In the early 1980s, Steve O’Hara joined the Florida Wildlife Federation and campaigned with oth- er conservationists for public acquisition of the Guana area a 12,000 acre tract wildlife habitat with 10 miles of undeveloped beachfront in Northeast Florida. This successful endeavor convinced Steve O’Hara that the Florida Wildlife Federation (FWF) was Florida’s most effective grassroots conservation organization in large part because it so willingly engages with others in achieving Steve O’Hara and his wife, Jeri. common goals.

Since then, Steve O’Hara has served almost three decades on the Florida Wildlife Federation’s volunteer Board of Directors. He has also included the FWF as a beneficiary in his will. “Guana is still my favorite fishing destination. I will soon be a grandfather, and I want my grandchildren and their grandchildren to have places like Guana for hiking, hunting, paddling, and other outdoor recreational pursuits. I will leave them that legacy by helping the Florida Wildlife Federation continue its good work for generations to come.”

Please join with Steve and help make sure we and future residents can enjoy a healthy, clean and abundant Florida, which helps not only our environment, but also our economy.

A charitable trust benefitting the Florida Wildlife Federation or a bequest like Steve’s is easy to arrange, makes creative use of assets and can benefit your fam- ily as well as help the Federation.

For more information on how your estate plan can benefit both you and wildlife, please contactTim Bachmeyer, FWF Development Consultant, at 561-801-5752 or Manley Fuller, Diane Hines or Preston Robertson at 850-656-7113.

Conservation Calendar

August 21-25, 2013 September 5-7, 2013 October 26, 2013 Florida Outdoors Writers Assn. Confer- FWC Commission Meeting, Pensacola FWF 3rd Annual Kids Fishing Day ence www.MyFWC.com FWF River Preserve, Ochlockonee River 3200 River Ranch Blvd, River Ranch, FL [email protected] 33867 September 27-29, 2013 www.wgriverranch.com FWF Board of Directors/House of Delegates October 26, 2013 Annual Business Meeting Lubee Bat Festival, Gainesville Florida’s Gulf Counties Consortium Tradewinds Guy Harvey Resort, St. Pete [email protected] Meetings: Beach - Aug. 22, 9:00 am – Noon - Clearwater [email protected] November 7-8, 2013 Beach, 5th Annual Southeast Florida - Sept. 18, 10:00 am – Noon - West Palm October 5, 2013 Regional Climate Leadership Summit Beach, Sunflower Festival, Pepper Ranch Fort Lauderdale - Nov. 13, 9:00 -11:00 am - Daytona Preserve, Immokalee, All meetings of the Gulf Counties Consortium are [email protected], November 16th, 2013 held in conjunction with the Florida Association http://www.colliergov.net/index. Florida Panther Festival of Counties regular quarterly meetings; Consor- tium will recommend projects for funding under aspx?page=528 Naples, Florida RESTORE Act. Exact location, dates, times, agen- http://www.floridapantherfestival.com/ da are available as posted on the FAC website: October 16-17, 2013 festival-information.html http://www.fl-counties.com/advocacy/ Sea Level Rise Summit 2013: gulf-consortium Resilience in the Face of Change Boca Raton, Florida

16 August, 2013 • Florida Fish and Wildlife News • Keeping the Wild in Florida