Suwannee-St. Johns Group

Sierra ClubNewsletter

Published monthly except June and August from Gainesville, FloridaVOLUME 41 • NUMBER 2 • February 2011

changing the endgame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3ico update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4hog wild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

“Whiskey for drinking, water for fighting” —Mark Twain

BY MELANIE MARTIN

David Still will show a 5 min. video titled “Florida’s Heart-

land” featuring an underground tour of our ground water and springs and why our finite water supply and quality is di-minishing.

He will also share empirical data showing the direct influence on our springs, rivers, and lakes of increased water consump-tion from Savannah to Daytona. Due to population increases and growth in NE Florida, ground water is be-ing pulled from west to east.

The Itchetucknee River has 20% less flow than 20 years ago (per USGS surveys), White Springs no longer flows, Fanning Springs is now a 2nd magnitude spring, not

a first. Water in the Suwannee River itself will soon be jeopardized. The sky is not fall-ing, but our water levels are.

Additionally, depending on audience in-terest, David can provide insight as to the role and scope of Florida’s Water Manage-ment Districts. David is serving as the Ex-ecutive Director for the Suwannee River Water Management District in Live Oak, Florida.

Prior to his appointment in February 2008, David served as the District’s legislative liaison, interacting with Florida House and Senate members and Gov-ernor’s staff on behalf of the District.

He reviewed legislation with senior District staff members,

assisted in the development of state water policy, and continues to foster working partnerships with elected officials at the municipal and county levels.

David earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Engineering degrees from the

University of Florida in 1982 and 1984, respectively. His major field of study was hydraulics and hydrology.

David is a registered professional engineer and is a member of the Florida Engineering Society, Florida Rural Water Association, and American Water Resources Associa-tion.

Florida’s Heartland

BY WHITEY MARKLEConservation Committee Chair

The SSJ Conservation Committee and EXCOMM have sent a letter to the South-west Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), asking for a moratorium on their projected reduction of Minimum

Flows and Levels (MFLs) in the Lower Chassahowitzka and Lower Homosassa Rivers.

As in our dealing with the Water Man-agement Districts, we disagree with the methodology by which they have deter-mined the MFLs. This current policy plan

is based on the LAST 11 YEARS’ flows and levels, that we know are abnormally low compared to the flows and levels fifty years ago. It seems like the MFLs should be at least the Average of the last 50 years, not the last 11 years.

The vaguely written law on the matter says that minimum flows and levels must

TOO MANY ISSUES, TOO FEW SIERRANS

see ISSUES, page 7

GENERAL MEETINGThursday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Entomology/Nematology Building on the UF campus, ** room 3118 **

(Just east of the Performing Arts Center. Turn south offHull Road on to Natural Areas Road.)

FLORIDA’S HEARTLAND

DAVID STILLPROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

Natural Area Drive

Natural Area Rd.

Surge Area Rd.

Visit the National and Local Sierra Club Websites!National: www.sierraclub.org Local: www.gatorsierra.org

Suwannee-St Johns Group Chairs & Executive CommitteeChair Brack Barker 528-3751 brack154@msn.com Administrative Dwight Adams 378-5129 dwight.adams@att.netConservation Whitey Markle 595-5131 whmarkle@gmail.comPolitical Larry Marsh 379-2784 ldmarsh@cox.net Program Chair Melanie Martin 246-3084 melaniemoksa@gmail.comMembership Roberta Gastmeyer 336-2404 rgastmeyer@bellsouth.netFundraising Jack Donovan 352-376-2838 jfdonovan@bellsouth.netNewsletter Publisher Scott Camil 375-2563 s.camil@att.net Events Sherry Steiner 375-2563 sherrysteiner@att.netLegislative Liaison Jack Donovan 352-376-2838 jfdonovan@bellsouth.net ICO Maryvonne Devensky 871-1606 marydeven@yahoo.com Enviro Education Chris Smiley 561-866-3719 chris.smiley@gmx.comSecretary Linda Pollini 352-481-2048 thirdeyegrafix@bellsouth.net Treasurer Roberta Gastmeyer 336-2404 rgastmeyer@bellsouth.netPublicity Linda Pollini 352-481-2048 thirdeyegrafix@bellsouth.netOutings Robert Fisher 514-7674 rbertisher@gmail.comNewsletter Editor Chuck Hawkins 505-803-3736 chuck.hawkins1@gmail.comSocial Robert Fisher 514-7674 rbertisher@gmail.comLegal Daniel Vazquez 352-870-6999 a.daniel.vazquez@gmail.comNewsletter Design Colin Whitworth (Toronto) 1-416-655-7725 colinwhitworth@gmail.com Webmaster Mike Wright 372-7975 mike@sugarfoot.org

Interested in hosting a newsletter folding party? Contact Scott Camil at 375-2563

Suwannee-St. Johns Group Sierra Club Newsletter (UPS 317-370) is published 10 months a year, except June and August, by the Suwannee-St. Johns Group Sierra Club, 1024 NW 13th Ave, Gainesville, 32601. Non-member subscription rate is $5.00. Periodicals Postage Paid is paid at the Gainesville, FL 32608 post office. Postmaster: Send change of addresses to SSJ SC Newsletter, P.O. Box 13951, Gaines-ville, FL 32604, or to ssjsierranl@bellsouth.net. Send both your old and new addresses and a Sierra ad-dress label, which contains your membership number. PLEASE AD-DRESS ALL GENERAL CORRE-SPONDENCE FOR THE SUWAN-NEE-ST. JOHNS GROUP OF THE SIERRA CLUB TO: P.O. BOX 13951, GAINESVILLE, FL 32604.

FOLDING PARTY

2 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club February 2011

BY BRACK BARKER

When I see ‘swim with the manatees’ or ‘enjoy an en-

counter with these gentle giants’ advertisements, it causes me to pause and look closer at the ads for such nonsense.

And when these ads are in our own Na-tional magazine, it causes my colleagues in the eco tour community that know I’m involved with Sierra, to question why our entity allows this activity. Aren’t we as out-ing leaders supposed to abide by the prin-ciples of Leave No Trace? Under LNT’s heading of ‘respect wildlife’, the first prin-ciple states: observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. And avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nest-ing, raising young, or winter.

So with the last one about winter, even our own local paper recently showed on the front page, a swimmer “following” a mana-tee in the waters of Crystal River’s Kings

Bay. Seems innocent enough, huh?Those of us in the ETHICAL eco tour-

ism business do not allow our customers to swim with manatees, which are both state and federally listed as an endangered species. Ethical tour operators can still get the message across that these animals are unique and need protection. We have our individual reasons, and agree that it’s not necessary to swim with an endangered spe-cies to experience it, or in order to “save it”. We don’t allow people to pet or ‘experience’ bald eagles, gopher tortoises, or even pet whales in the wild. Why are manatees exempt from this ethic?

By those responsible agencies charged with the protection of listed species, not doing their jobs, it supports the public’s perception that it’s okay to do this harmful practice. Swimming as harmful?

Yes, any human activity that alters the natural behavior of the manatee (or other

wildlife), causes disruption in their sleep-ing, eating, resting, breathing, young rear-ing patterns, which in turn causes it to use precious energy to escape this human intru-sion into their habitat.

Manatees in Florida have experienced their worst year (2010) on record for deaths (700+) related to cold, and other causes such as vessel strikes. By allowing the prac-tice of swimming with manatees (only in Citrus county), the responsible agencies

feed this controversial practice, and behavior modification that causes the manatee to lose its natural fear of humans. Which in turn, is be-lieved to contribute to vessel strikes as swimmers are associated with motor vessels. They have it bad enough with record breaking cold spells, they don’t need the added

stress of humans reaching out to touch them for some perverse desire to save it.

Since the swim/pet industry appears to

Don’t Touch Them

CHAIR’S

CORNER

see CORNER, page 7

February 2011 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club 3

Déjà vU IN THE GUlF OF MExICO:

Changing the EndgameBY RIKI OTT

We will make you whole.” The first time I heard an oil industry public

relations agent utter that prom-ise, I was sitting in a high school gymnasium packed with scared, angry fishermen, and townspeople of Cordova, Alaska, a few days af-ter the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989.

The next time was 21 years later in a packed gymnasium in Orange Beach, Al-abama, a month or so after BP’s massive blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. This time I knew exactly what BP meant by “whole.”

After fighting Exxon in court over spill damages and losing, fishermen and injured people learned that Exxon meant to make us hole as in holes in our income and sav-ings, holes in families splintered by divorce, holes in the ecosystem for the herring that never recovered, holes in our lives where suicides ripped our community fabric. Our list goes on.

From May through early October in 2010, I drove back and forth across the Gulf of Mexico, giving community talks and workshops.

At first, I shared Exxon Valdez stories and encouraged people to come up with a Plan B—how they could help themselves instead of waiting for BP or the federal government to make them whole as Exxon had promised, but failed, to do in Alaska.

Plan B evolved rapidly as Gulf residents watched our federal government protect BP instead of them. When a plethora of al-phabet soup federal agencies––EPA, FDA, NIOSH, NOAA, OSHA, and USCG––found nothing in the air, water, or sea-food to support the outbreak of respiratory

illnesses, headaches, dizziness, and skin “rashes” that residents were experienc-ing, people learned how to take their own samples. They tested outdoor swimming pools, rain, bayous, and beach sand. People had medical doctors test their blood––and they

found high levels of oil that mirrored what they found in the air and wa-ter. They also amassed documentation of “disap-peared” evidence––injury to wildlife.

In early August, NOAA released a pie chart show-ing that most of the oil was “gone.”

Obama and his public officials cheerfully claimed that “Mother Nature” would take care of the re-maining 25 percent of the oil. (This pie chart has since been thoroughly discredited by university scientists.)

Then things got really ugly. The thick oil that began to wash ashore from Loui-siana to western Florida became a political liability––an inconvenient truth.

To keep up appearances that the oil was “gone”—conveniently in time for mid-term elections, this oil had to be “disappeared.”

I received calls from peo-ple across the Gulf who re-ported (and documented) massive spraying of disper-sants in coastal areas. The Corexit dispersants can cause internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, and more. People sought emergency room care and medical treatment for un-controllable diarrhea, vomiting, and dizzi-ness.

Medical doctors diagnosed “acid reflux,” “food poisoning,” and “heat stroke” instead of what I believe to be chemical illness caused by the disaster response authorized by BP and the U.S. Coast Guard.

I’ve heard these same lies before dur-

ing Exxon’s spill response in Alaska––and Exxon got away with, literally, murder. The question is: Will BP?

It doesn’t have to be like this. In com-parison, Norway sets the gold standard for oil spill prevention and response.

When I gave a talk to Statoil in November, the state-owned company told me they rely mostly on burning and mechani-cal cleanup; they use tox-ic dispersants only spar-ingly, if at all, but never near populated coasts.

The real Gulf story has the potential to unite Americans in a serious commitment to transi-tion off fossil fuels, start-ing with a permanent ban on deepwater offshore drilling.

It’s also an opportunity to confront the dangerous expansion of corporate power. During Earth Week April 18–22, Plan B now includes a Teach-In, Changing the Endgame, to be satellite-beamed to participating sites across the

nation.Let’s make sure the

outcome of the BP Gulf disaster is not a return to “oil business as usual”––as it was 22 years ago for the Exxon Valdez di-saster.

Riki Ott is nationally recognized, and has writ-ten two books on this subject. Riki is a com-munity activist, a for-mer commercial salmon “fisherm’am,” and has a PhD degree in marine

toxicology with a specialty in oil pollution. She is the author of Sound Truth and Cor-porate Myth$: The Legacy of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and Not One Drop: Prom-ises, Betrayal, and Courage in the Wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (Chelsea Green, 2008).

To learn more about what you can do or to join the Teach-In, visit www.rikiott.

4 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club February 2011

BY MARYVONNE DEVENSKY

On Dec. 11, the Girl Power group spent the day in St.

Augustine for an ICO trip that combined urban history and na-ture, exploring the Fort Mose area, the Lincolnville neighborhood, the Anastasia Beach, and the Light-house Park.

Kai Williams wrote this: “I had a fun time in St Augustine, and I am glad I went. The Fort Mose guide gave a realistic presenta-tion of life when the English and Spanish were fighting over the fort. First I thought that the fort would still be standing, but it wasn’t.”

Tiffany wrote: “We went to the beach, we wrote our name in the sand, and drank hot chocolate because it was cold. We had a lot of fun.”

She added that she learned about the black community in Lincolnville, and “that when Martin Luther King came to Florida, he went to St Augustine, but he could not stay in the same place for more than once because the white people wanted to kill him.”

Then Tavia stated that she liked going to the Lighthouse and walking the 239 steps. “I was so tired when I finished but I enjoyed myself.”

Tavia also liked visiting the house “where the family who built the Lighthouse lived, and where you can see objects dating back to that time.”

All the students learned about the history of the black community in St Augustine, but going up the Lighthouse was the fun part of the day.

For myself, I have to say I cannot see St. Augustine as “the oldest city in the country” as only “a Spanish colonial settlement”.

Thank you to Ruth Steiner for guiding us through the Lincolnville neighborhood, and for researching the historical marker homes during the civil right movement.

By the way, the Gainesville ICO program

became official at the end of December. We have done the required outings and the paper-work to qualify.

We now have 2 groups interested in hikes and trips to ex-plore nature.

We plan longer trips, and to go camp-ing and canoeing with the UF students from the Trip Program.

If you want to get involved, please call me at 352-871-1606.

ICO Update

February 18-20, 2011 Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka

Florida’s rivers, lakes and springs provide more thanbeautiful scenery. They are the foundation of our

economy and the lifeblood of our ecology.Come to the Rally for the Rivers on

Feb. 18-20 at Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatkato celebrate and raise awareness about our wetland treasures.

Enjoy music, art and workshops for all ages. Visit www.pcecweb.org or call 352-546-3560

Rally for the Rivers Paint Out - February 12-20, 2011 A joint project of Create! The Artists’ Guild of North FL and PCEC

creativeartists02@gmail.com 386-325-9225 creativeartistsguild.org

WATER MANAGEMENT REORGANIzATION

The Florida House of Representatives has formed a “Select Committee on Wa-ter Policy” Chaired by Rep. Trudy Wil-liams (R) Ft. Myers. They are looking into feasibility of a statewide water manage-ment board, thus eliminating the current five water management district governing boards. The discussion of the Commit-tee includes consideration that instead of being appointed by the Governor or the Legislature, members of such a statewide Board would be elected. And, even if the present five WMD’s remain, their Govern-ing Board Members consideration should be given that they become elected. No mention so far of what, if any, compensa-tion such Board Members would receive. Presently WMD Governing Board Mem-bers are voluntary and unpaid.

By David Flagg, Vice Chair, Suwannee River WMD Gov. Board.

RAllY FOR THE RIvERSFebruary 18-20, 2011, Ravine Gardens

State Park, Palatka.The Rally is PCEC’s greatest contribu-

tion to our community and, indeed, to

North Central Florida. Not only does it serve to inform and educate people about our water and other natural resources, but it also brings business to local restaurants, motels, stores, and other retail operations. Further, wonderful arts and entertainment will be featured, including a “Rally for the Rivers Paint Out” co‐sponsored with Cre-ate! Artists’ Guild of North Florida. There will be workshops, speakers, authors, art-ists, musical performers, storytellers, and more!

Rally for the Rivers is a huge and impor-tant undertaking. We have a vital message about conservation and sustainability that we need to share with our community, and the Rally gives us an opportunity to share it in a fun and entertaining way.

—From the PCEC Green Gazette, January 2011

40TH SSj SIERRA ClUb REUNIONFebruary 2011 marks the 40th Anniversa-

ry for our SSJG. Many people through the years have been instrumental with positive changes and outcomes for the conservation and preservation of Florida. Please join the celebration as we honor our founding members over food and fellowship. A free

dinner will be provided along with a cash bar. There will be a few pieces of artwork, photography, and local goods available through silent auction. The celebration dinner will be held at the Matheson Center (513 East University Ave.) on February 12, 2011 from 5 pm-9 pm. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Melanie Martin: melani-emoksa@gmail.com or 352-246-3084 by February 7.

MANATEE PADDlECRYSTAl RIvER

Meet at Winn-Dixie in Williston, 727 W Noble Ave 32696, at 8:30 am March 5 to caravan to Hunter’s Park in Crystal River, or meet at Hunters Park, off Citrus Blvd and NE 1 Ave, at 9:19 am. We will look for manatees in the Kings Bay area and Three Sisters Springs, following the SSJ’s “no swim-no touch” policy. Rental kayaks will be available.

FWC has a live manatee cam http://manateecam.viewnetcam then click on “single” at the entrance to Three Sisters.

Reservations & trip info: Knox Bagwell at knoxberries@msn.com, 352-468-1790

Rental reservation: Brack Barker, at brack154@msn.com, 352-528-3751.

news&notesFebruary 2011 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club 5

501(c)4 Account Income Inter-Club Trans/Receipts . . . . . . . . . . . 142.44 Sales Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,048.00 Outings & Lodge Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.00 Contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380.00 Grant Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,308.85 Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,912 .29 Expense Newsletter Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,907.32 Membership Expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311.28 Sales Expense (COG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 874.42 Sales/Use Tax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66.26

Administrative&Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205.37 Total Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,364 .65 Net Ordinary Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -452 .36

501(c)3 Account Income C3-Chapter/c3 Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . 759.17 Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759 .17 Expense Donations c3 Coalition . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,500.00 Admin Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 638.12 Newsletter Reimbursement . . . . . . . . 1,670.73 Total Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,808 .85

2010 SSJ Group Statement of ActivitiesRoberta Gastmeyer, Treasurer

6 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club February 2011

BY RILEY PECK

It seems that the state of Florida has gone hog wild. Currently the only state with more wild

hogs than Florida is Texas,” said Bill Giuliano, an assistant professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Wild or feral hogs can now be found in every Florida County and in at least 39 states -- including 1 million to 2 million hogs in the Southeast. Nationwide, their population totals about 3 million.

Hogs, wild or otherwise, are not native to the United States. They were brought to southwest Florida by Hernando DeSoto around 1539.

In Florida, most feral hogs are found

north and west of Lake Okeechobee where large forested tracts, dense vegetation, abundant water, and limited public access provide an ideal environment for the pigs. Hog populations tend to be lower in areas with concentrated urban development.

Wild hogs are among the most destruc-tive invasive species in the United States today. They tear up recreational areas, oc-casionally even terrorizing tourists in state and national parks, and squeeze out other wildlife. They tend to migrate from area to area in the hopes of finding food.

Acorns are their favorite food, but as “opportunistic omnivores”, they will eat almost anything, including dead animals, and it seems like they’re always looking for opportunities.

When natural foods are scarce or inac-cessible, hogs will forage on almost any agricultural crop and livestock feed. They

also feed on tree seeds and seedlings, caus-ing significant damage in forests, groves and plantations. In Florida and the South-east, this may hinder regenerating long-leaf pine forests. In addition to their destruc-tion, wild hogs carry diseases that may af-fect livestock, wildlife, and humans.

Wild hogs usually weigh between 100 to 200 pounds. Luckily, hogs tend to shy away from urban areas and people. But a human-hog encounter can be dangerous especially if the hog feels threatened or is cornered. They can move fast and can cause serious injury with their tusks.

There is no way to completely eradicate the wild hogs population. Trapping and hunting are effective methods to try and control the population. However, even with trapping and hunting, it appears that the hogs have made Florida home and are here to stay.

Feral Hogs: Another Natural Threat to Florida

Enjoy these local photos while they last.

We’re concerned that the Paynes Bison will soon be removed without any disclosure of the “Final Plan” to the public. The Heritage Horses will be sold and the herd dispersed. The Park Service will disregard all public input and act without regard for our opinion. Support reclas-sification as “wildlife” and a “moratorium” to discuss alternative options to “Removal Alive”.

Email David.Jowers@dep.state.fl.us and let him know that you oppose “Removal Alive” be-cause you know it means “Sale and Slaughter” of the Bison and loss of the Heritage Herd.... Help preserve the native bison, cracker horses and cattle on Paynes Prairie Preserve for our and future generations.

Elimination is forever! Photo by Dwight Adams

Want to Write for the SSJ Sierra Club Newsletter?

Contact Chuck Hawkins at chuck.hawkins1@gmail.com.

February 2011 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club 7

Support the Sierra Club and Get New Customers

To advertise, contact:Roberta Gastmeyer

352-336-2404

Ad prices for a single issue are: 1/8 page $ 35 ¼ Page $ 65 ½ Page $120 Full Page $175

Ad prices for 10 issues are: 1/8 page $ 315 ¼ Page $ 585 ½ Page $ 1080 Full Page $ 1575

not cause “significant harm” to the affected ecosystem. As frequent-ly the case with the legislature, this law was written ambiguously so that agencies can interpret the laws as they see fit. (Lawyers are expensive for voluntary environmental organizations such as us, so such terminology is usually never defined). SSJ member, Emily Casey, who is a workhorse for the waterways in the Citrus and Levy County area, has also discovered the term “fully developed” in the SWFWMD policy. Apparently “fully developed” means “used up” when referring to current available water sources. This term is ap-plied as a requirement in determining if and when a municipality may use “alternative” water sources, which nowadays include the surface waters of our springs, creeks and rivers. Apparently, all avail-able water resources are “fully developed” in this case.

Also, as in prior changes in MFLs by the Water Management Districts, the reason for this policy change is to allow water with-drawals for NEW DEVELOPMENT in an area that is already water-starved (near Brooksville in the Chassahowitzka /Homosassa watershed).

Unfortunately, if the MFLs are reduced in these river systems, both the winter-roosting Whooping Cranes and the poor old Man-atee will suffer severely. Both are federally endangered species and MUST have adequate water to survive. Where are the Feds?

The SSJ EXCOMM approved a letter of support for a grant ap-plication from the Florida Communities Trust for Turkey Creek Hammock Preserve. This grant will help purchase a 380 acre parcel, that will be a buffer on the East side of San Felasco Hammock Pre-serve State Park. In this age of Florida politics, we are fortunate to even ask for such grant funding.

We would like for a member to volunteer to be a “watchdog” for the City of Gainesville and Alachua County environmental issues, and represent the Conservation Committee on such matters that come before the Gainesville City Council and the Alachua County Commission. We are now covering issues in 15 counties, and we need everyone’s help.

Also, we will be sponsoring a presentation by Ellen Vause, Florida Onsite Wastewater Association, at the River Rally in Palatka on the weekend of February 18-20. She will discuss the benefits of SB 550 (the new septic tank law) and how the law will benefit our watershed. See the River Rally schedule for presentation times (PCECweb.org).

Alachua Audubon Society, Inc

Wildlife-Friendly Yards TourFebruary 26, 2011 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Interested in making your yard more attractive to birds and other wildlife? The Alachua Audubon Society invites you to take a self-guided tour of several local yards that are wildlife havens. Tickets are $10 per person and will be available for

purchase beginning February 1st at Wild Birds Unlimited. Ticket holders will receive addresses and maps to each

location at the time of purchase.

4215 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605www.wbu.com/gainesville

Each yard has unique features to attract a variety of birds and other wildlife such as possible wintering hummingbirds, orioles, finches , wintering sparrows, and other unexpected

winged visitors, as well as our year-round residents. You will be inspired to maintain your own yard or green space for wildlife, whether it is one birdfeeder, one nest box, one wildflower bed, one garden path, or one natural area. Join us for our first annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour and fund-

raiser to benefit Alachua Audubon Society.

http://AlachuaAudubon.org

For more information contact Ron Robinson, 352-332-4867

be the tail wagging the dog, there will need to be a huge cultural shift for everyone to understand that swimming encourages touch-ing which leads to harassment, which leads to a plethora of prob-lems for these endangered marine mammals. The industry that gets greedy with profits with this practice, won’t even self regulate, so the responsible agencies need to step in, and quickly.

The Suwannee/St. Johns Sierra Group encourages responsible and ethical tourism practices, and asks that you consider this when signing up for nature tours. Don’t swim with the manatees.

ISSUES, from page 1

CORNER, from page 2

Suwannee-St. Johns GroupSierra ClubNEWSLETTERP.O. Box 13951Gainesville FL 32604

PeriodicalsU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDGainesville FL 32608

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet

FEbRUARY 2011 CAlENDAR OF EvENTSFEb 3–SSJ Sierra Club Group general meeting, Thursday, 7:30 pm, in the Entomol-ogy/Nematology Building on the UF campus, room 3118. See page 1 for details.FEb 9–ICO Lake Forest group to Florida Museum of Natural History (Blue water exhibit) and adjoining garden. Contact Maryvonne Devensky, 352-871-1606.FEb 10–SSJ Sierra Club Executive Committee meeting, Thursday, 7 pm, at the Santa Fe Community College Downtown Gainesville Campus Board meeting room. FEb 12–SSJ Sierra Club 40th Anniversary Saturday, 5 pm – 9 pm at The Matheson Center, 513 East University Ave. Gainesville. See page 5 for detailsFEb 18-20–Rally for the Rivers at Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka. See page 4forflyer.FEb 19–Girl power ICO to Rally of the Rivers, Palatka, and Ravine Gardens. Contact Maryvonne Devensky, 352-871-1606.FEb 25–Folding party for the February Newsletter, Friday, 7 pm, at the home of Scott Camil and Sherry Steiner. Call 375-2563 for info. FEb 26-27–Kathy Cantwell Tribute Backpacking Trip to Persimmon Point at Paynes Prairie State Park. Contact Robert Fisher at rbertisher@gmail.com or 352-514-7674.MAR 5–Crystal River Manatee Paddle. Contact Knox Bagwell knoxberries@msn.com, 352-468-1790 for details, and Brack Barker, brack154@msn.com, 352-528-3751 for rental reservation. See page 5 for details.MAR 26-27–Overnight Paddle/Camp. River to be selected. Contact Knox Bagwell knoxberries@msn.com 352-468-1790.

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