News from the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast:
Via a conference call on Thursday, Christine Johnson updated progress on the Quad parcels and other projects.
Quads: The CF has met three times with County staff and there is confidence they will have permanent easements in place by the beginning of summer on the three parcels (1,2,4) which the County has agreed to give in perpetuity.- Parcels 1 and 4 - the Eastern quad parcels - are to be left natural for the most part. Johnson did say there could be some work to bring the canal that runs between the SE parcel and the Celery Fields to a better level of development. I.e., it has paths where people walk, run, bicycle - these might be improved.
- Parcel 2 (SW) could have some development component that would allow for parking. One of the major issues with the entire area is how little parking and other welcoming facilities are there for visitors.
Once these easements are in place, the property will be left to the CF and Audubon to develop and maintain. It is anticipated there will be no county funding. Here's where the community is likely to be invited to step up and help out.
The Foundation is also working toward solutions for other properties, including the giant Orange Hammock near North Port. The latest on this 5,500-acre site is that the CF has until June 1 to come up with $1.5 million for it. Johnson said this is a key project in that it not only means fewer homes, but also protects drinking water, serves as animal habitat, protects against floods, and still offers recreative and eco-tourism uses. Amazingly, Johnson says the CF is already 41% on its way to the $1.5 million needed.
More here.
Updates on other projects, including Bobby Jones, the Felts preserve, and more - can be found via links here.
More here.
Updates on other projects, including Bobby Jones, the Felts preserve, and more - can be found via links here.
a blueprint for
water quality improvement
to stop feeding
harmful algae blooms
As many know, Jon Thaxton and Steve Suau were two of the key people behind the creation of the Celery Fields Water Management facility.
They're still concerned with water, and will be giving several talks on the results of a year's research on nutrients in our soil, and how they affect our bays and waterways. It's a wake-up call for us all.
Jon and Steve will be at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center in Venice this Tuesday (March 10) shortly after 1:30 pm presenting to the Board of Sarasota County Commissioners.
Also on Tuesday, they'll do a broader version of their work at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice at 7 pm. It's at 1971 Pinebrook Rd, Venice, Florida 34292.
And they'll be presenting at CONA Sarasota on Friday March 20, at 7, at the Waldemere Fire Station.
Some slides from the "Playbook" are here. For the interpretive commentary, try to get to one of these presentations -- we all affect water quality, and in turn it affects us all.
