Environmental Council Blog - Land

Developer's use of nature earns recognition

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:19:00-0400

The National Association of Home Builders has cited Bonita Bay Group as an example of a developer using nature to enhance the lifestyles of its communities in two of its national publications.

The article, published in the online Nation's Building News and the current issue of Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine, shares information about the trails, bike paths, neighborhood parks, gardens and paddling trails that help residents connect with nature in their own backyards.

You can read the whole story at this link:
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080831/NEWS0102/808310353/1004/ACC

Bonita Springs will not fight eagle nest ruling

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:58:00-0400

A pair of Bonita Springs eagles will soon have new neighbors: residents of Bonita Bay's latest development. The Bonita Springs City Council decided Wednesday not to appeal a state decision allowing construction near a historic eagle's nest. "I think it may be a little late in the game," said Mayor Ben Nelson. The decision ends more than a year of appeals between the city and Bonita Bay, which plans to build homes within 300 feet of the nest.

To read more go to: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080824/NEWS0102/808240367/1075

What is Earth Day?

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:05:00-0400

Earth Day is a Birthday!! Just like a birthday is a special day to celebrate a person, Earth Day is a special day that celebrates the Earth. Earth Day was born on April 22, 1970, in San Francisco, California. Every year, America and over 100 different countries join together in the celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd. Earth Day is the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. On Earth Day, we remember to appreciate nature and learn ways to protect our environment. Find ways that you can help keep the planet clean and help protect our environment!

Mulching helps save WATER!

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:17:00-0400

Mulch is a protective covering, usually of organic matter such as leaves, shredded wood or pine straw, placed around plants. Mulch can significantly reduce the moisture evaporation from the soil because it reduces the soil's exposure to wind. The insulating quality of mulch aids in keeping soil cooler in the summer. For more information visit; www.gomulch.com.

Site to See

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:49:00-0400

The Orange River was one of Florida's first rivers to be officially meandered by state surveyors documenting navigable waterways. In pioneer days it was commercially important as a shipping lane for the citrus industry, from which its name was derived. These days the Orange is known for the power plant effluent that attracts manatees, snook, and tarpon to its unnaturally warm waters.

Friday Paddle: Lee County Park & Recreation is offering a new, one-way paddling tour on the Orange River, from Buckingham Road downstream to Manatee Park. A short paddling clinic at 8:30am will be followed by a caravan to the launch point four miles up the river, for a three-hour paddle back to the park. Only $35.00.

More info: Call 690-5030

February: Florida Hiking Trails Month

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:47:00-0400

It is not too late to celebrate Florida Hiking Trails Month, in fact we are entering the best time of the year to hike in Florida; the trails are the driest and mosquitoes are the scarcest.

Black Island Trail
Bowditch Point Regional Park Walking Trails
Buckingham Community Park Trails
Catfish Creek Trail
Cayo Costa State Park Hiking Trails
Estero Bay Preserve State Park Hiking Trails
Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve
Gasparilla Island State Park Hiking Trails
Koreshan State Historic Site Hiking Trails
Little Pine Island High Marsh Trail
Lovers Key State Park Hiking Trails
North Colonial Linear Park
Old Datsun Trail
Three Oaks Park Walking Path

Alligator Amblers

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:44:00-0400

One of the youngest chapters of the Florida Trail Association, the Alligator Amblers bring together hikers in Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties with outdoor recreation activities in our region and around the state. The chapter offers a diverse slate of activities, from explorations of trails through-out the three-county region to in-the-field photography, workshops and getaway weekends to other parts of the state for education and water-based recreation. For more information, contact Chapter Chair:

Carlos Schomaker - 239 415 7795 - cschomaker@juno.com

Everglades Restoration Money at Risk

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:40:00-0400

The New York Times features a story about the Everglades Restoration program in its online edition today. President Bush may veto a funding bill for the restoration project as early as today. You can read the whole story at this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/us/02everglades.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

November Wildlife Tips

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:22:00-0400

Did you know?

Bald eagles begin their nesting season in November.
This is the peak month for roadkills of black bears.
Florida manatees start to head south to warm water sites when temperatures drop and seasonal manatee speed zones change on Florida's waterways.
Blooms to watch for include wild poinsettia, whipcord or scaleleaf aster, pineland heliotype, glades lobelia, and sometimes scrub skullcap will have a late run of flowers.

Mitigation Banks

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:48:00-0400

By Pam Mc'Kie, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs You can't cash your checks there, but the returns that are earned by Mitigation Banking benefit all of us. Before this statutory creation was established, wetland preservation was a spotty shotgun target of tiny wetland preserves, often connected to nothing and quickly drying up and losing their natural benefits. With the implementation of mitigation banks, wetland preservation has become more significant to people and to wildlife, because significant parcels of wetlands can be preserved as a part of an integrated natural system. Mitigation banks allow for the preservation of "working" wetlands, which serve as nurseries for most fish, homes to wildlife and birds, and essential drinking-water supply recharge areas for all of us. Mitigation banks also serve as the cleansers of human activity by scrubbing our storm water runoff before discharge into pristine waterways. Another human benefit that is not often recognized is the flood control benefits of mitigation banks it is estimated that in coastal areas each square mile of wetlands absorbs enough water to reduce a hurricane storm surge by one foot. Clearly, mitigation banks pay dividends to us all!