Our Mission is to promote an awareness and appreciation of nature; to preserve and protect natural ecosystems; and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship. October 2012 E-Newsletter 2012-2013 Board Members President: Bernie Bathauer Field Trips: Eileen Riccio Public Relations: Barbara Bowen Vice President: Elaine Maywalt Hospitality: Vera Huckaby Education: Open Vice President: Linda Vanderveen Conservation: Bob Keim Membership: Open Secretary: Marcie Clutter Programs: Linda Vanderveen Webmaster: Barbara Bowen Treasurer: Sue Bathauer Ways and Means: Andy & Elaine Maywalt Photos Courtesy of Barbara Bowen Have you visited Cypress Lakes Preserve, Fickette Hammock, or Peck Sink? Come learn about why these places and others are so important and need to be preserved by the Hernando County voters in the upcoming election. Jim King is currently Hernando County’s land manger of these special places and he can explain the benefits they provide to Hernando County. (see page two for details on the ESL Referendum) Jim King is a native Floridian, born and raised in Panama City. He attended the University of Florida earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, majoring in Wildlife Ecology. Jim worked nine- teen years as an insurance agent in the Brooksville/Spring Hill area, while earning the prestigious Chartered Property and Casualty Un- derwriter certification during that time. He has worked for the Su- wannee River Water Management District as a Water Resources Planner, and as a Consulting Ecologist for an environmental con- sulting firm. Jim is in his third term of employment by Hernando County. Jim has extensive experience in drafting ordinances, com- prehensive plans, an Evaluation and Appraisal Report, comprehen- sive plan amendments, grant proposals, and management plans. Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, October 25th Environmentally Sensitive Lands of Hernando County By Jim King
Transcript
Our Mission
is to promote an awareness and appreciation of nature; to preserve and protect natural
ecosystems; and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship.
October 2012 E-Newsletter
2012-2013 Board Members
President: Bernie Bathauer Field Trips: Eileen Riccio Public Relations: Barbara Bowen
Vice President: Elaine Maywalt Hospitality: Vera Huckaby Education: Open
Vice President: Linda Vanderveen Conservation: Bob Keim Membership: Open
Secretary: Marcie Clutter Programs: Linda Vanderveen Webmaster: Barbara Bowen
Treasurer: Sue Bathauer Ways and Means: Andy & Elaine Maywalt
Photos Courtesy of Barbara Bowen
Have you visited Cypress Lakes Preserve, Fickette Hammock, or
Peck Sink? Come learn about why these places and others are so
important and need to be preserved by the Hernando County voters
in the upcoming election. Jim King is currently Hernando County’s
land manger of these special places and he can explain the benefits
they provide to Hernando County. (see page two for details on the
ESL Referendum)
Jim King is a native Floridian, born and raised in Panama City. He
attended the University of Florida earning a Bachelor of Science
degree in Forestry, majoring in Wildlife Ecology. Jim worked nine-
teen years as an insurance agent in the Brooksville/Spring Hill area,
while earning the prestigious Chartered Property and Casualty Un-
derwriter certification during that time. He has worked for the Su-
wannee River Water Management District as a Water Resources
Planner, and as a Consulting Ecologist for an environmental con-
sulting firm. Jim is in his third term of employment by Hernando
County. Jim has extensive experience in drafting ordinances, com-
prehensive plans, an Evaluation and Appraisal Report, comprehen-
sive plan amendments, grant proposals, and management plans.
Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, October 25th
Environmentally Sensitive Lands of Hernando County
By Jim King
Vote “Yes” on the Rerendum to save Environmentally Sensitive Lands
by Linda Vanderveen
On November 6, this question will appear on the County Ballot: SHALL THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LEVY A PROPERTY TAX OF UP TO ONE-TENTH OF ONE MILL (.1 MIL) TO FUND THE ACQUISITION, MANAGEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY-SENSITIVE LANDS, WITH THE PROGRAM TO SUNSET ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2021. A YES vote would mean the County would resume assessing up to one-tenth (0.1) mill (10 cents on every $1,000 dollars of assessed taxable value) through the end of Fiscal Year 2021 (September 30, 2021) to fund the acquisition and maintenance of environmentally sensitive lands. For instance, a house valued at $75,000 would be assessed $7,50 for the environmental-ly sensitive lands program. . A NO vote would mean that funding for the Sensitive Lands Program would cease. The Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program (ESL) has purchased and preserved some very important parcels in our County. Many are important water recharge areas, like Peck Sink and Cypress Lakes Preserve. These parcels are irreplace-able. The program also makes improvements possible on County properties such as Bayport. The ESL Program was voted in by Hernando County citizens in 1988. It is clear that our citizens wanted to preserve some of these environmental gems by levying a small tax. Now, it appears the County Commission sees a way to fund other programs that have fallen on hard times by discontinuing the ESL program in favor of other issues. If the referendum fails, the ESL funding will be cut to zero. It will mean no more funds will be available to acquire parcels that help protect our water, wildlife, and wide open spaces. Please vote to preserve the ESL program, and talk to your friends and neighbors about what this referendum really means. Let's make it clear the our County Commission that we support the ESL Program.
October 2012 E-Newsletter
2
Hernando Audubon News
Share your bird photos at the November Audubon meeting!
The November 15th Program is the traditional member photo sharing
and potluck Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by HAS. If you have
some interesting bird photos you would like to share, please submit
them to Bev Hansen by November 8th. Photos can be of birds found
in your backyard, Florida, or from a recent vacation you may have
taken. Please limit submittals to no more than 15 per person. Bev
prefers photos are submitted by CD or thumb drive. Thank you Bev
for your time and effort in putting this program together. Looking for-
ward to seeing everyone’s great “finds” for the year!
Join us for our Upcoming Trips!
October 12 - Friday
Cypress Lake Preserve, Hernando County
Time: 8:00 AM, meet at the McDonalds on SR 50 East of I-75.
This scenic preserve was purchased with funds from Hernando County’s Environmentally Sensitive
Lands Program. Enjoy the morning trekking through various habitats, including sandhill, Cypress
swamp, hardwood hammock and an area of Oak Scrub currently being rehabilitated. Birding the pre-
serve is best in the Fall and we may see fall migrants that have flown inland. The hike may be
“somewhat strenuous” and some areas my be wet. Bring binoculars, bug repellant, water, and
snacks.
Cypress Lake Preserve
32375 Cortez Blvd
Ridge Manor, Fl 34652
Directions: From I-75 exit eastbound at SR 50.
Contact: Mike Liberton: 813-432-1473.
October 16 - Tuesday
P.E.A.R. Park, Lake County
Time: 8:00 AM at the Nature Center (Located on the left just after entering the South entrance)
PEAR Park, 4800 University Ave, Leesburg, Fl
Directions: Take Route 27 N to University Ave (approx. 5 miles South of Leesburg). Turn West and
follow 1 mile to park entrance.
Experience a feeling like North Florida as biologist, Galus Quigley, leads us on a walk 1-1/2—2 miles
along the cool beautiful Palatka River. Birds seem to love it here as mid October has historically
been the prime time for fall migrants in Lake County, Wildflowers and butterflies will also be abun-
