Author Archives: Nate_admin

Dream of Long Distance Passenger Rail Service in Florida May Soon Become Reality

Posted on by
Reply

All Aboard Florida!

While not directly related, recent news of a planned passenger rail service linking Miami and Orlando certainly drew our interest. As the most populated and traveled parts of our state, we know all too well the impacts traveling have on the land and wildlife of central and south Florida.

Each year, highly endangered Florida panthers suffered numerous fatalities due to collisions with automobiles.

Recent proposals by Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) though may help alleviate this road congestion that causes so many deadly encounters between man and wildlife.

Approximately 50 million people per year travel between Orlando and Miami according to the company, which has a long history dating back to Henry Flagler and the construction of the first land route to Miami. In response to the demand for travel between Orlando and Miami, the costs to travel by car and other factors, FECI is launching an ambitious effort to offer passenger rail service between the two metropolises by 2014.

Much of the feasibility for the rail service lies in the fact that FECI owns the track and right of way along the coast. The company is building the line’s final link between Cocoa and Orlando to complete the route. Future plans call for service to Jacksonville and Tampa, linking a huge bulk of Florida’s population to passenger rail.

Besides providing a comfortable and cost-effective travel option (…approximately 3 hours total), the All Aboard Florida line will include stops and access to airports, seaports and commuter rail systems in Orlando, West Palm, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.

Trains will cruise at around 80 mph and integrate well with FECI’s existing freight lines. Cabins will include coach and first-class options as well as WI-FI.

Anyone on the go can certainly appreciate that!

(See an infographic from All Aboard Florida below)

Economically, the new line is expected to create thousands of quality jobs, something our state has certainly suffered from a lack of in recent years. According to FECI, over 6,000 construction jobs will be required along with over 1,000 permanent personnel for operations.

Taxpayers and citizens of Florida will also realize benefits in terms of reduced road maintenance and construction costs and will not bear any financial risk.

In terms of Florida’s environment though, we consider this a big step forward in the history of our state.

Not only does this service have the potential to reduce congestion on highways, pollution from car exhaust and reduced chance of fatal encounters with wildlife, the All Aboard Florida line can serve as a spur for redeveloping areas of south Florida that superhighways left behind long ago.

We’re delighted and encouraged by this news of a privately funded and operated passenger rail service coming to Florida.

We wish FECI the best of luck in its endeavors and look forward to taking that first trip in 2014.

 

Enjoy a Picturesque Mountain Setting without leaving Florida

Posted on by
Reply

Well, it isn’t quite the Smokies but Florida does in fact offer some hilly country that may make you think you’re driving through the mountains. Hilly country and high bluffs isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Florida landscapes. Most of the state is in fact pretty flat.

But visiting Torreya State Park just west of Tallahassee is sure to change this perception.

Courtesy of Florida Park Service

Nestled along the Apalachicola River in Florida’s Panhandle, Torreya is a one of a kind place for outdoor enthusiasts and all of those who enjoy the natural wonders our state offers.

But the hills are just one part of the splendor. In the fall months, you can also catch a glimpse of some tremendous colors – views you would have to drive several hours to see in the mountains.

The park itself offers many activities to get you out and about.

Miles of hiking trails for instance will take you to some out of the way spots overlooking the Apalachicola. And let’s not forget – trekking up and down those hills is sure to give you quite the workout. Hiking at Torreya a few weeks ago gave me some much needed exercise that felt rejuvenating.

The park’s name – Torreya – comes from a rare tree that’s only found along the Apalachicola River.

Besides a good hike, many visitors also come to the park to enjoy bird watching and wildlife viewing. In fact, over 1,000 species of birds have been spotted in the confines of the park. And as we said before, hardwoods provide some of the most splendid fall colors around.

The park is also home to the Gregory House – a fully-furnished plantation home that was built in 1849 and moved to its current location at the park in the 1930s. Torreya State Park in fact was developed in the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC.

If your plans allow you to stay overnight, I certainly suggest it. A full-facility campground is available along with what’s known as a YURT, or a “Year-round Universal Recreational Tent.”

To an old-fashioned camper like me, this was a site indeed.

But if you’re the type who likes to really get out there, Torreya’s trails offer plentiful primitive camping opportunities.

Located 13 miles north of Bristol along the Apalachicola, it’s easy to get to Torreya from both I-10 and the town of Bristol. If you’re looking for something that’s especially unique for the Sunshine State, Torreya State Park will not disappoint.

Documentary Chronicles Kissimmee River Basin and the Northern Everglades

Posted on by
Reply

One of the most unique environments on the entire Earth, the northern Everglades and Kissimmee River basin not only boasts rich biodiversity, but a rich source of Florida’s ‘cracker’ cowboy heritage.

A new film by producer Elam Stoltzfus explores both the natural and social heritage of this rich region and how different stakeholders ranging from cattle ranchers to environmental groups like the FWF are working together to ensure its vitality well into the future.

The Kissimmee River basin, which begins in Osceola County and flows south to Lake Okeechobee, is a rich paradise of a wide variety of waterfowl, wading birds, fish and wildlife. Following very active hurricane seasons in the late 40s though, it was decided that parts of the river needed to be ‘channelized’ in order to control flooding.

This in effect shortened the river’s length from 103 to 56 miles.

As a result, many species of plants and waterfowl endemic to the area dried up – fishing along the river suffered as well. And it was later determined the channelized water flow prevented water running off from Orlando from being cleaned up. As a result, water quality from the Kissimmee and into Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades suffered.

Recognizing this fact prompted Congress to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore the basin in 1992. Working with state agencies, cattle ranchers and environmental groups, the restoration of the Kissimmee is in fact nearly complete. Land surrounding the basin has been purchased as well as development rights to cattle ranching lands.

Besides serving as a critical habitat and water resource for central and south Florida, the Kissimmee’s restoration is helping ensure Florida’s cattle industry continues to thrive. Many ranchers also experienced difficulty and water shortages from the channelization. Therefore, they’ve been critically interested in restoring the basin and ensure their way of life is able to continue.

Watch a preview of the high-definition film below. Full release should be in the near future.