Wow! So I had intended to start a series highlighting different species of invasive wildlife already established or in the process of becoming established in Florida, but this is really cool!
Just yesterday, another smaller single ghost orchid was found off the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary boardwalk. Over the last few years, the super ghost orchid has gotten tons of well deserved press for its rarity, succession of blooms, and amount blooms per blooming cycle. For those who aren't familiar with the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii), it is a rare, perennial, epiphytic orchid that is listed as endangered. It was formerly classified in the genus Polyrrhiza but recently moved to Dendrophylax. One of the neatest things about this plant is its co-evolution with the Giant Sphinx moth. I love these guys...and the fact that they are the only (known) pollinators of the rare Ghost orchid bump them up on the "Coolest" insect list I have in my mind. To see the pollination occur check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca--GgEe2Zg and skip to about the 1:10 mark. While I am tempted to write more about the biology of the Ghost orchid, I would be reinventing the wheel. The website below does a great job of covering information about the ghost orchid's biology.
http://www.ghostorchid.info/generalinformation.htm
However, if you want to see one (or two at the moment!), then you should definitely go check Corkscrew out. The super Ghost is in bloom right now, and the boardwalk naturalists have a scope up on it so it can be seen. To see photos and learn more visit our website below.
http://corkscrew.audubon.org/corkscrew-ghost-orchids
Sorry guys but I don't have any pictures of the ghost orchid!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Raising your voice!
So now that I have inundated you with information about HR 5864 the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act, you might be wondering "what can I do...I am just one person...?" This is true, but every person has a voice. You just have to raise it!
When in DC waiting in offices to meet with Congressional and Senate aides, I was amazed at how many phone calls from constituents came in encouraging them to vote for or against a particular piece of legislation. They DO pay attention to people taking time to make a phone call. So one thing you can do is pick up the phone and call your Representative or Senator, at their local office or in Washington, D.C. And a key here is to give it a week or two and make a FOLLOW-UP call. This helps to emphasize that you feel an issue is important!
Another action you can take is to send an email. I am sure we ALL get those "Action Alerts" from different organizations making a push to get legislation pushed or blocked. It is great when you go through these, but even better is to add a PERSONAL touch to the pre-written response. There IS someone in the office reading these, making notes, and reporting on it. Do it at the very beginning to add impact and get them to realize you took time out of your busy schedule because you care about the issue. Your time is just as valuable as theirs, and this personal touch does make them take notice. Again, it is key to take the time to send a short, to-the-point follow-up email a couple of weeks later.
A third thing is to get your friends talking! I know there is an age old phrase..."Never talk about religion or politics." But how can we learn from one another and come to a compromise if we don't have discussions about topics that make us uncomfortable? An issue doesn't have to be force fed down another's throat but can be tactfully broached. Entering into conversations about an issue opens the door to point out important legislation and help educate others are things they might not be well versed in. Education is a key. Talk about what you are passionate about!
Keep in mind, these views about raising your voice above are from my own personal experience and NOT a view necessarily of my organization. However, National Audubon Society and Florida Audubon DO endorse the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act HR 5864...so help us out and raise your voice! Pick up the phone, write an email...be proactive!!!
Give mothers like the bobcat pictured below and her kittens (off the side of the road unseen in the photos) a fighting chance!
When in DC waiting in offices to meet with Congressional and Senate aides, I was amazed at how many phone calls from constituents came in encouraging them to vote for or against a particular piece of legislation. They DO pay attention to people taking time to make a phone call. So one thing you can do is pick up the phone and call your Representative or Senator, at their local office or in Washington, D.C. And a key here is to give it a week or two and make a FOLLOW-UP call. This helps to emphasize that you feel an issue is important!
Another action you can take is to send an email. I am sure we ALL get those "Action Alerts" from different organizations making a push to get legislation pushed or blocked. It is great when you go through these, but even better is to add a PERSONAL touch to the pre-written response. There IS someone in the office reading these, making notes, and reporting on it. Do it at the very beginning to add impact and get them to realize you took time out of your busy schedule because you care about the issue. Your time is just as valuable as theirs, and this personal touch does make them take notice. Again, it is key to take the time to send a short, to-the-point follow-up email a couple of weeks later.
A third thing is to get your friends talking! I know there is an age old phrase..."Never talk about religion or politics." But how can we learn from one another and come to a compromise if we don't have discussions about topics that make us uncomfortable? An issue doesn't have to be force fed down another's throat but can be tactfully broached. Entering into conversations about an issue opens the door to point out important legislation and help educate others are things they might not be well versed in. Education is a key. Talk about what you are passionate about!
Keep in mind, these views about raising your voice above are from my own personal experience and NOT a view necessarily of my organization. However, National Audubon Society and Florida Audubon DO endorse the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act HR 5864...so help us out and raise your voice! Pick up the phone, write an email...be proactive!!!
Give mothers like the bobcat pictured below and her kittens (off the side of the road unseen in the photos) a fighting chance!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Bald Eagle Success in Florida!!!
How cool is this! Florida has surpassed Minnesota as the state in the lower 48 with the most active bald eagle nests.
Cut and paste the link below to read more!
http://magblog.audubon.org/and-state-most-nesting-bald-eagles-is%E2%80%A6
Cut and paste the link below to read more!
http://magblog.audubon.org/and-state-most-nesting-bald-eagles-is%E2%80%A6
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
HR 5864 Wrap-up!
And finally...the last 2 sections!
In Sec. 17 Relationship to Other Federal Laws, the writing makes clear that this new law would NOT change any federal laws already in existence that relate to live animal imports that impact human health, farm animal health, food safety or animals that are used in biological control projects.
And Sec. 18 Requirements to Promulgate Regulations directs the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate (to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation (a law, decree of a court, etc.) regulations as necessary to carry out the Act.
Now you might ask is there proof that a preventive and proactive system such as this is worth it...does it work? Well there are other countries that have successful pre-screening programs in place. These include Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.
Now if you start researching the topic of live import animals and legislation, you will likely come across a bill that was introduced in 2009 known as HR 669 (The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act). This did not have the support it needed to pass for numerous reasons I won't go into. One of the great things about the current proposed bill is that it took the feedback given on HR 669 into consideration but it still has teeth to accomplish effective change!
Tune in next time when I tackle the issue of raising your voice in support of this or any bill you choose!
In Sec. 17 Relationship to Other Federal Laws, the writing makes clear that this new law would NOT change any federal laws already in existence that relate to live animal imports that impact human health, farm animal health, food safety or animals that are used in biological control projects.
And Sec. 18 Requirements to Promulgate Regulations directs the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate (to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation (a law, decree of a court, etc.) regulations as necessary to carry out the Act.
Now you might ask is there proof that a preventive and proactive system such as this is worth it...does it work? Well there are other countries that have successful pre-screening programs in place. These include Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.
Now if you start researching the topic of live import animals and legislation, you will likely come across a bill that was introduced in 2009 known as HR 669 (The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act). This did not have the support it needed to pass for numerous reasons I won't go into. One of the great things about the current proposed bill is that it took the feedback given on HR 669 into consideration but it still has teeth to accomplish effective change!
Tune in next time when I tackle the issue of raising your voice in support of this or any bill you choose!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Almost there....HR 5864
Alright so the next section covers the Relationship to State Law (Sec. 14). Under the injurious species section of the Lacey Act, regulation of intra-state activities is left with states. Stricter state laws are not preempted. And this section honors that while establishing a federal-state system that will facilitate better coordination.
Sec. 15 covers Penalties and Sanctions. The civil and criminal penalties for violations of this new Act follow those already established for the violations of the injurious species section of the Lacey Act.
In Sec. 16 (Injurious Wildlife Prevention Fund), a special injurious Wildlife Prevention Fund is created. This will hold revenues from user fees and fines collected via enforcement (under this Act) Three-fourths of this fund will be paid to USFWS in order to cover the costs of this Act. One-fourth will be awarded in the form of grants to state agencies to help in efforts to improve risk assessment and regulation for the live animal trade in their state.
Economics Fact: the total US cost resulting from invasive animals and diseases brought in by them is estimated to be up to $35 BILLION PER YEAR!!!
Let's protect our heritage! Tomorrow I will wrap up the break down of HR 5864.
Sec. 15 covers Penalties and Sanctions. The civil and criminal penalties for violations of this new Act follow those already established for the violations of the injurious species section of the Lacey Act.
In Sec. 16 (Injurious Wildlife Prevention Fund), a special injurious Wildlife Prevention Fund is created. This will hold revenues from user fees and fines collected via enforcement (under this Act) Three-fourths of this fund will be paid to USFWS in order to cover the costs of this Act. One-fourth will be awarded in the form of grants to state agencies to help in efforts to improve risk assessment and regulation for the live animal trade in their state.
Economics Fact: the total US cost resulting from invasive animals and diseases brought in by them is estimated to be up to $35 BILLION PER YEAR!!!
Let's protect our heritage! Tomorrow I will wrap up the break down of HR 5864.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
HR 5864...I think I can, I think I can...
Alright...Time for another 2 sections!
Sec. 12. Permits and Exemptions for Qualified Institutions and Live Animal Transporters. Some of you might have already been wondering about places like zoos and aquariums and even universities which do house non-native critters. This section establishes a permitting process for importation and interstate commerce in Injurious I species. It also incorporates an exemption from that permit for the importation and interstate commerce in Injurious II species IF carried out by certain qualified institutions. These include places like universities, research facilities, wildlife rescue facilities, and accredited zoos and aquaria.
And how is this all going to be paid for? In the current economy, the government doesn't want to burden the taxpayer even more (although by NOT preventing importation of potential invaders we end up spending billions of dollars annually trying to fix the problem after-the-fact). Sec. 13. User Fees sets up a limited user fee to recover a portion of the costs of the federal activities needed in order to collect wildlife trade information as well as assess and regulate its risks. The purpose of the user fee is to recover approximately 75% of the Service's costs of the services it provides under this Act.
Sec. 12. Permits and Exemptions for Qualified Institutions and Live Animal Transporters. Some of you might have already been wondering about places like zoos and aquariums and even universities which do house non-native critters. This section establishes a permitting process for importation and interstate commerce in Injurious I species. It also incorporates an exemption from that permit for the importation and interstate commerce in Injurious II species IF carried out by certain qualified institutions. These include places like universities, research facilities, wildlife rescue facilities, and accredited zoos and aquaria.
And how is this all going to be paid for? In the current economy, the government doesn't want to burden the taxpayer even more (although by NOT preventing importation of potential invaders we end up spending billions of dollars annually trying to fix the problem after-the-fact). Sec. 13. User Fees sets up a limited user fee to recover a portion of the costs of the federal activities needed in order to collect wildlife trade information as well as assess and regulate its risks. The purpose of the user fee is to recover approximately 75% of the Service's costs of the services it provides under this Act.
Monday, July 23, 2012
HR 5864...and the info keeps a'comin'!
Bear with me folks, this is really an important piece of legislation I hope y'all will support by contacting your local Congressman/woman!
Last time I left off at Sec. 9. Sec. 10 is the Prevention of Wildlife Pathogens and Parasites. Imagine what would happen if a disease came into this country that decimated our wildlife? Oh wait, this is already happening from the accidental introduction of a fungus from Europe, and now biologists are racing to figure out how to protect our bats who are our number one natural night-time pest controllers (just google white-nose syndrome). Sec. 10 provides the USFWS clear legal authority in the prevention of importing pathogens or parasites that could impact our wildlife.
Next up is Sec. 11. Prohibitions. The importation and interstate commerce of live non-native animal species has to be done in compliance with this Act. However, it doesn't regulate intra-state movement (private possession, breeding, etc.) and leaves this power with the states. It also allows for exemptions, including for the interstate transportation of lawfully-owned private pets that are later regulated under this Act (assuming the interstate trnasportation is for non-commercial purposes). Phew, that one is a mouthful!
Still with me? I hope so!
Mexican long-tongued bat in Arizona
Last time I left off at Sec. 9. Sec. 10 is the Prevention of Wildlife Pathogens and Parasites. Imagine what would happen if a disease came into this country that decimated our wildlife? Oh wait, this is already happening from the accidental introduction of a fungus from Europe, and now biologists are racing to figure out how to protect our bats who are our number one natural night-time pest controllers (just google white-nose syndrome). Sec. 10 provides the USFWS clear legal authority in the prevention of importing pathogens or parasites that could impact our wildlife.
Next up is Sec. 11. Prohibitions. The importation and interstate commerce of live non-native animal species has to be done in compliance with this Act. However, it doesn't regulate intra-state movement (private possession, breeding, etc.) and leaves this power with the states. It also allows for exemptions, including for the interstate transportation of lawfully-owned private pets that are later regulated under this Act (assuming the interstate trnasportation is for non-commercial purposes). Phew, that one is a mouthful!
Still with me? I hope so!
Mexican long-tongued bat in Arizona
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