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Busy Kislig-Shires Byerly
Executive Director
Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc.

P.O. Box 134
Micanopy, FL 32667

Phone & Fax: 352-466-1178

www.conserveflorida.org

The Conservation Trust for Florida is a 501(c)(3) land trust. The mission of CTF is to protect the rural landscapes of Florida. We focus on farms, ranches, working forests, and natural areas that provide landscape connections.

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Mayors Conference

http://www.usmayors.org/77thWinterMeeting/documents/Zogby-USCMSummaryReport.pdf

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Hello Fellow Lovers of the Nature Coast !
>
> PLEASE SAVE THE DATE (Saturday March 7th) for a Nature Coast Strategy and Visioning Gathering to help create a Nature Coast Coalition and develop a shared strategic vision for how we protect and preserve the Nature Coast . This informal gathering of conservation and community leaders from the Nature Coast and around Florida is intended to strengthen the shared work under way to protect this amazing place. Additionally we can lay the groundwork for expanded and more coordinated efforts in the future including a new Nature Coast website, a large public Nature Coast Conference, and effective advocacy.
>
> WHO – Conservation and community groups, leaders, and activists who care about Florida ’s Nature Coast
> WHAT – A Strategic Vision Gathering to Develop Shared Goals and Plans to protect the Nature Coast
> WHEN – Saturday March 7th, (see schedule below) from 12:30pm to 5:30pm
> WHERE – Paramount Plaza and Hotel in Gainesville, Fl. (2900 SW 13 Street, Gainesville, FL‎)
> WHY- The Nature Coast is our last best chance to get it right along the Gulf Coast of Florida
>
> PLEASE RSVP ASAP FOR THIS EXCITING CONSERVATION COMMUNITY EVENT! You can RSVP by emailing Joe Murphy of the Gulf Restoration Network at
> joe@healthygulf.org or call him at 352-583-0870. Space is somewhat limited and we need your RSVP for planning and logistics.
>
> *To keep costs low we’re asking folks to eat lunch on their own before the meeting, but we’ll be providing snacks and drinks during a break. Unfortunately the facility does not allow food to be brought in from the outside.
>
> WORKING AGENDA:
>
> 9:00AM – 12:00pm Flights with SouthWings
> SouthWings, www.southwings.org, invites you to experience a bird’s eye view of the Nature Coast . The flight route will compliment the issue areas discussed in the meeting. Flights will be available from the Gainesville Regional Airport to look at issues of development and habitat impact and mining and watershed impacts from 9-noon on March 7th. Space is limited and flights are subject to change based on weather conditions. A flight request and pre-flight paperwork are required but there is no charge for participating in a flight. If you would be interested, please contact Caroline Douglas at caroline@southwings.org or 828-225-5949.
>
> 12:30pm Slide Show from famed Florida nature photographer and advocate Eric Zamora (Images of the Nature Coast , Nature Coast website)
>
> 1:00PM – 2:30PM Presentations on Key Nature Coast Issues (roughly 30 minutes per presentation with questions)
>                 -Economic Benefits/Ecosystems Services of the Nature Coast
>                 -The Big Habitat Picture: Uplands to Seagrass
>                 -The Future of Water in the Nature Coast
>
> Short Break with snacks, drinks
>
> 2:45PM Small Group Visioning and Strategy Discussions with facilitators
> *The objective of the working groups would be to address the same questions with facilitation to get at:
> ·         Vision for the Nature Coast : What do we want the Nature Coast look like in 10, 20 years, and how do we get there?
> ·         Communication Strategies and Public Relations: Web site, Nature Coast Conference, brochures, audience.
> ·         Funding this work: Revenue sources, projected needs, how do we get there?
>
> 4:45PM Wrap Up and Report Out from Small Groups, Next Steps
>
> 5:30PM Optional social event in Gainesville
>
>
>
> Joe Murphy
> Florida Program Director
> Gulf Restoration Network
> 352-583-0870 (office)
> 813-468-0870 (cell)
> Florida Office:
> 34413 Orchid Parkway
> Ridge Manor, Fl. 33523
> joe@healthygulf.org
> www.healthygulf.org
>

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Freshwater Turtles

Florida's natural bounty being looted

BY CARL HIAASEN

chiaasen@miamiherald.com

Every day, hundreds of wild freshwater turtles are snatched from Florida's lakes and rivers, and shipped to Asia where they are butchered for food and folk remedies.

It's all perfectly legal, thanks to the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission -- or, if you will, the Wildlife Conversation Commission, since its members obviously would rather chat than make actual decisions.

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From The Times

January 22, 2009

Ecologists warn the planet is running short of water

Leo Lewis in Tokyo

Graphic: water usage

A swelling global population, changing diets and mankind's expanding “water footprint” could be bringing an end to the era of cheap water.

The warnings, in an annual report by the Pacific Institute in California, come as ecologists have begun adopting the term “peak ecological water” — the point where, like the concept of “peak oil”, the world has to confront a natural limit on something once considered virtually infinite.

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Newnan's Lake

Good Morning Friends,
We are moving so much faster than we ever expected smile ;
Kudos to everyone, give yourselves a big giant hug from Newnans.
You guys really know how to get things done.
Now I will get down to business and discuss our next important task;

Next up on the Friends agenda:
Forming a public nonprofit charity
In order for our sponsors to claim their sponsorship; we need nonprofit 501 c 3 status.
I fully believe this will provide the best route for the group, pardon the pun.
So, in addition to the sediment sample for the removal pilot study; we will also elect officers’.
This will be a big hour and we need everyone present for adequate representation.
If you have any questions’ or skills for such a task; please feel free to contact anytime.
Monica_carter@cox.net
352 372 1026
Check out the other Friends of Newnan’s Lake groups; both ours
http://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-Newnan-s-Lake/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=94980515362
And our creator Gainesville Paddle Group
http://www.meetup.com/http-www-katesfishcamp-com/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=94980515362#/group.php?gid=34861938947
And let’s not forget our sponsor Kate’s Fish Camp
http://www.katesfishcamp.com/index_files/TeeShirtSales.htm
Stop by the website and show you support the fish camp way of life smile ;
I look forward to seeing you all at the February 7th at 1:00 pm.
And don’t forget the Celebration at Gainesville Paddle Groups Friday the 13th (Feb) Fish Fry and paddle by tiki torch.
Starts at 6:00 pm for din-din, and midnight we will toast Valentines with champagne and strawberries.
For more information click on the above paddle group at meet up, you can get your tickets there or at Kate’s Fish Camp fish fry link
http://www.katesfishcamp.com/index_files/fishfry.htm
Don’t forget your vessel, flashlight and chair for extra fun.
Also camping is free and children are welcome.
~ Extra credit ~ we need you ~ show government your serious ~
MIKE, HAS BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK AT THE ST. JOHN’S WATER MANAGEMENT’S ORANGE CREEK BASIN TMDL WORKING GROUP.
This will be a very long meeting, If you can make it out your presence will be much appreciated; everyone who is attending is getting paid. . . In other words it is their job to go; not many will be there because they care about what is best for the water quality of Newnans nor what is best for Alachua county and her citizens. This isn’t even good for Florida. So Please come stand tall for the weak.
Here is the Agenda; Mike speaks at sometime between 11:30 and 1:00.

February 4, 2009
Gainesville Regional Utilities
Business meeting 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Field Trip to Phosphate Hot Spots – 2 p.m.
HERE IS THE AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 4TH AT THE G.R.U. BUILDING

BASIN WORKING GROUP MEETING GOALS:
• Propose project reporting format and reporting timeframe
• Propose actions that address Newnans Lake TMDL implementation
• Confirm next meeting date
9:30 – 9:45 Introductions, Announcements, and BMAP Business
• BMAP Business – Mary Paulic (Dept. of Environmental Protection)
• Economic Stimulus Funds – Mary Paulic
• Other Announcements?
9:45 – 10:10 Project Updates
• Bacteria Hot Spots Project – Mary Paulic
• Paynes Prairie Restoration Progress – Alice Rankeillor (Gainesville Regional Utilities) and Jeff Martin (Dept. of Environmental Protection, NE District)
10:10 – 11:00 BMAP Reporting Requirements
• Project Reporting and Updating – Mary Paulic
Template example from Upper Ocklawaha
Priority project list (Wish List) status
• Water Quality Monitoring Update and Reporting – Robin Hallbourg (Alachua County Environmental Protection Department)
DECISIONS: Choose a project reporting format and how/when to present a summary of projects; How do we track reductions in TP/TN loading needed for Alachua Sink and the lakes?; What should we do with the priority project list? Review list to determine if projects are still viable? Add new projects?; For water quality monitoring, how often and what should we report?
11:00 – 11:15 Break
11:15 – 1:15 Newnans Lake
• Pollutant Load Reduction Goals for Newnans Lake – Dr. Erich Marzolf (St. Johns River Water Management District)
• Spatial Nutrient Loading and Sources of Phosphorus in the Newnans Lake Watershed – Dr. Matt Cohen (University of Florida)
• Experimental Shad Harvest in Newnans Lake – Dr. Carol Lippincott (St. Johns River Water Management District)
• Forestry and Public Land Management Activities – Jeff Vowell (Division of Forestry)
• Lunch served
• Group Discussion of Solutions to Reduce Nutrient Loading into Newnans Lake (open to all)
Suggested Newnans Lake Remedies – Mike Carter
Identify watershed problem areas
Additional research needs / issues of concern
Short term / Long term projects
• What Does This Mean for the TMDL and BMAP? – Mary Paulic and Dr. Xueqing Gao (Dept. of Environmental Protection)
DECISIONS: What type of projects can be started that will address Newnans Lake TMDL load reductions? When (time wise) does BMAP reflect additional projects and new strategies for Newnans Lake? And also for Paynes Prairie?
1:15 – 1:30 Wrap-up & Next Steps
• Next Meeting Date
• Action Items
2:00 p.m. Field trip to Phosphate Hot Spots
This is an opportunity to look at some land use modifications (ditches and wetland draining), particularly in the Little Hatchet Creek watershed, that may be engaging the Hawthorne formation and increasing the release of phosphates. Barbara Hatchitt, SJRWMD stormwater permit reviewer, will be joining us to answer permit related questions.
NOTE: IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THE MEETING AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE INPUT ON THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO MARY.PAULIC@DEP.STATE.FL.US PHONE AT (850)245-8560
FTP SITE: FTP://FTP.DEP.STATE.FL.US/PUB/WATER/BMAP/ORANGECREEK/

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Snow study shows California faces historic drought

Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:00pm EST

www.oursantaferiver.org

1-386-454-2366

Crist in Favor of Bill Aimed at Protecting Springs

Freshwater Turtles

Florida's natural bounty being looted

BY CARL HIAASEN

chiaasen@miamiherald.com

Ecologists warn the planet is running short of water