Wildlife Corridor Expedition Event at Bok Tower Was a Huge Success

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On February 15th, Florida Wildlife Federation, Ancient Islands Sierra, Lake Region Audubon, Bok Tower Gardens and the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association co-sponsored a major event highlighting the epic trek from the Everglades to the Okefenokee by Elam Stoltzfus, Carlton Ward, Joe Guthrie and Mallory Lykes Dimmit – 1,000 Miles in 100 Days. The trek by kayak, horseback and foot sought to illustrate that a major wildlife corridor still exists (due to public land ownership and large cattle ranches), but is in jeopardy and needs to be protected. The event was held to publicize the trek and to raise money for Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Amendment (FWLL) Initiative.

The Legacy Initiative is now in the process of gathering petitions to place an amendment on the 2014 General Election Ballot. The amendment would dedicate for twenty years one-third of the net revenues from the existing excise tax on documents to a Land Acquisition Trust Fund which Florida desperately needs to acquire, improve and manage watersheds to improve water quality and quantity in its springs, rivers and aquifers. Dedicating existing revenues to this goal is prudent and imperative both for our economy and quality of life.

The event sponsors and several individuals donated funds which offset all costs.  In addition, thirteen local businesses and individuals donated items, ranging from original works of art to a guided kayak tour, for a silent auction which raised over $2,000 for the FWLL initiative.

Requests to attend this free event reached maximum capacity (225) within a week following its announcement.  Unfortunately, more than a hundred late responders had to be told “sorry the event is sold out.”  As attendees enjoyed beverages and appetizers provided by Bok Tower, they viewed and bid on items in the silent auction, and networked with people from different organizations and discovered much common ground.

Following welcomes to the event by Bok Tower president, David Price, and FWF director and event organizer, Bob Taylor, Senator Rick Dantzler summarized the need for Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Initiative and told the audience how they could help make it a reality  The subsequent presentation by trekkers Stoltzfus and Ward was informative and well received. As the evening drew to a close David Price reflected that bringing these diverse groups together for a common goal proved to be a successful concept and that we should make occasions like this an annual event.

Although a planning committee had spent the last three months organizing this event, everyone agrees that Florida Wildlife Director and Sierra member, Bob Taylor, was the driving force. Congratulations and many thanks to Bob.

Frances Howell-Coleman

Follow this link to find out more about Florida Water and Land Legacy Initiative and how you can help! http://floridawaterlandlegacy.org/index.php

Bob Taylor

Elam Stoltzfus and Carlton Ward

Bok Tower Gardens President, David Price

Senator Rick Dantzler

Tallahassee Native Daniel Alvarez Paddles 4,000 Miles

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By Danny Gwynn-Shapiro

With 3,000 miles under his belt, Daniel Alvarez stopped in his home town of Tallahassee for a brief respite, before setting off to continue another 1,000 miles along the Gulf Coast to Key West and the southernmost point in continental United States. What was his starting point? The Boundary Waters in Minnesota at the Canadian border, the northernmost point in the continental United States. His journey has taken him portaging and paddling, guided by an old fur trading rout not used for 200 years, down into Lake Superior, along its borders to the Mississippi, down the Mississippi to the Gulf and along the Gulf to the Florida panhandle.

As part of his Tallahassee stop, Daniel gave a talk to family, friends, supporters and interested community members on January 21st. He provided insight into his trip so far, flushed-out stories from his excellent blog (http://predictablylost.com/), answered questions and showed off his kayak.

Beyond the thrill of adventure and the challenge of testing himself, Daniel discussed his goals of raising awareness about public spaces and the vastness still able to be explored and enjoyed. He remarked on the unique perspective that comes with seeing the landscape change by paddling, something that is often lost when we fly or drive. With his trip, Daniel has aimed to “highlight the victories, losses and ongoing battles” being fought to protect these invaluable areas.

Daniel has put his money where his mouth is, donating funds he won from a contest by Outdoor Magazine to four conservation organizations (Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, American Rivers, Gulf Restoration Network and the Florida Wildlife Federation) that work to protect stretches of his paddle. We are hugely appreciative of his gift.

Daniel’s parting words where that “everyone should take a moment to think about an adventure they want to do, then go do it. Don’t wait around for it to happen, just go!” We can only hope people follow in his lead, for then our wild spaces would be truly appreciated by all. 

 

Daniel Alvarez on January 21, in Tallahassee

Daniel Alvarez on January 21, in Tallahassee

 

Daniel’s kayak was donated by Necky Kayaks

Daniel’s kayak was donated by Necky Kayaks

1st Annual FWF Youth Congress at the Federation’s 75th Anniversary Weekend

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1st Annual FWF Youth Congress
at the Federation’s 75th Anniversary Weekend,
June 15-17, 2012, in St. Petersburg

On Saturday June 16th, the first annual FWF Youth Congress
was held with over 50 young adults in attendance.  College students and graduates from across the state, including IDEAS Chapters and the Student Chapter of the Wildlife
Society at UF, held a youth summit which discussed issues pertaining to Energy,
Food, Waste, Water and Ecology and sought solutions to the challenges within
the five categories, the five facilitators for the youth summit were, Chris
Castro, Samantha Ruiz, Henry Harding, Jessica Whalen and Sarah Gledhill. A call
to action was established at the end of the conference for all youth attendees
to get involved in local, state and national issues. Attendees were all present
for Saturday evening’s Conservation Awards Banquet. The group IDEASforUS had a
follow up meeting on Sunday, June 17, which was open to any interested parties
and focused on the organization of many new chapters of IDEAS on Florida
campuses and on other state university campuses.

1st Annual FWF Youth Congress on June, 16; IDEAS Summit on June, 17. Photo by Lou Kellenberger.

1st Annual FWF Youth Congress on June, 16; IDEAS Summit on June, 17. Photo by Lou Kellenberger.

Pictured: (Front) Katie Price, Samantha Baraoidan, Samantha Ruiz, Jessica Whalen, Rachel Hessling, Bri Jones (Middle) Manley Fuller (FWF President), Alicia Hines, Moe Corbett, Steven Carrion, Jacques Werleigh, Danielle Rudley, Andrew Kamerosky, Senator Lee Constantine, Chris Castro, Rosanna Gill, Erin Condon, Mark Grafton, Jaryn Thorndike, Sarah Owen Gledhill (FWF NE FL planning Advocate) (Back) Danny Gwynn-Shapiro (FWF Publications Editor), unknown, Shan Kasal, Sean Ehrlich, Arturo Romero, Henry Harding, Zak Marimon, Governor Bob Graham, Jessica Pirkey, Clayton Ferrera, Alex Saunders, Dan Schreiber, Paige Espy, Cassie McCrae, Ryan Harrigan, Dylan Scott, Jeff Rood, Hunter Miller.