ENV Magazine | Category Archive

As Oil Gushes in the Gulf, Frustrations Rise in Florida

Posted on 26. May, 2010 by Howard Salus in Eco Tourism, Environment, Everglades

By LLOYD DUNKELBERGER H-T Capital Bureau

Published: Wednesday, May 26, 2010

TALLAHASSEE – With the Gulf oil spill some 55 miles from Pensacola, state officials on Tuesday vented their frustration over BP’s failure to staunch the flow and ease its impact on Florida’s vital summer tourist trade.

Gov. Charlie Crist

“We’re doing everything humanly possible to make sure that people throughout the country understand our beaches are clean, that the water is clean, that the charter boats are open for business.”
Gov. Charlie Crist

Gov. Charlie Crist said he does not want to see the video images of oil-soaked birds and wildlife in the Louisiana marshes replicated on the beaches of the Sunshine State.

“That would be a nightmare,” Crist said.

Pythons in Florida Stalked by Hunters and Tourists Alike

Posted on 07. May, 2010 by Howard Salus in Eco Tourism, Environment, Everglades, Florida News

Bob Freer with a baby ball python. It grows to only four feet and can curl up into a ball. Maggie Steber for The New York Times

Mr. Freer shows a five-foot-long Burmese python to visitors at the Everglades wildlife refuge that he runs out of his home A volunteer at the Everglades Outpost, in Homestead, Fla., holding a recently caught python.







By DAMIEN CAVE Published: May 7, 2010

FLORIDA CITY, Fla. — Thousands of Burmese pythons, the offspring of former pets, have invaded the Everglades, eating birds, bunnies, even alligators. It has gotten so bad that Congress is considering an outright ban on buying or selling nine kinds of giant snakes.

But an odd thing has happened here in the swamp: the pythons have become celebrities. The snakes are fast becoming an element of Florida lore, attracting “oohs” and “ahhs” from tourists, along with groans from biologists and even python hunters like Bob Freer.

“It’s a little frustrating and very strange,” said Mr. Freer, who figures that his 40 captured pythons — most of which he has euthanized — make him the state’s top private hunter. “They’re asking about pythons that don’t even belong here, instead of alligators.”

Trouble is, the new-found fascination obscures what biologists and Mr. Freer describe as a serious problem. In their view, python proliferation — still significant despite a cold winter that might have killed half the population — is simply the sexiest example of widespread disrespect for pets and the wilderness.

“People need to view exotic species invasions as pollution — biopollution,” said David E. Hallac, chief of biological resources for Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. “In some cases, this form of biopollution can be even more difficult to remedy than chemical pollution, mainly because in most cases, we have no way of cleaning up exotic species from our natural environments.”

Nowhere is the problem more visible than in the open expanse of southwestern Dade County, where tract housing gives way to sawgrass and airboat engines. Mr. Freer, a grandfather who cuts the sleeves off his T-shirts, has lived here for a decade, giving animal presentations to tourists and running a wildlife refuge that doubles as his home.

See Lord of the Pythons video by clicking http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/07/science/1247467800544/lord-of-the-pythons.html

He grew up in rural New York on a dairy farm with a pet alligator, and he used to live north of Miami with another gator (named Lazy) until his neighbors complained. Now Mr. Freer and his third wife are free to mix with whatever animals they like, and there are plenty.

The Ritz Carlton, Ft. Lauderdale

Posted on 23. Apr, 2010 by Howard Salus in Dining, Eco Tourism, Environment, Florida News, Green Business

THE RITZ-CARLTON, FT. LAUDERDALE OPENS NEW OCEANFRONT ITALIAN GRILL VIA LUNA and FURTHERS “COMMUNITY FOOTPRINTS”

By Nancy Powell Radlauer

PowellReviews@aol.com

The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury and extraordinary service, but it is also devoted to social and environment responsibility. Community Footprints, since 1983, has devised a myriad of programs aimed at making a positive impact on our lives. Their commitment involves hunger and poverty relief, mentoring children’s programs, rebuilding parks, environmental conservatism, harvesting local crops, and the protection of marine life. And their “volunteaming” program extends to properties worldwide.

The Ritz-Carlton, Ft. Lauderdale opened August 11, 2008 and infused the Gold Coast with casual luxury as the city’s first and only AAA Five Diamond hotel. Envisioned by legendary architectural firm Arquitectonica and hospitality interior design leader Hirsch Bedner Associates, the 24-story, dramatically tiered and glass walled hotel has sweeping curves that are reminiscent of a luxury liner. Design elements recall the 1940’s with playful murals inspired by French artist Jean Cocteau and a 13-foot high mural of a seascape inspired by the 1880 painting, “King Neptune and His Horses.” The property features 192 guest rooms and suites; 24,000 square feet of light-filled meeting space; a raised 29,000 square foot tropical sundeck with an infinity pool and private cabanas; destination Spa with a 99 percent organic treatment menu and an 8,000 square foot, water view fitness center.

With its beautiful ocean views that sparkle under the sun and moon, Via Luna (“moon path” in Italian) adds a new, casually elegant Italian Grill to Ft. Lauderdale, and is poised to be a local gathering spot. Approachable menu items based on SUSTAINABLE & LOCAL PRODUCTS such as Yellowtail Snapper Livornese, traditional Antipasto with imported cheeses, pistachio Mortadella, Sopressata, Parma ham and garlic crostini, hand-selected and hand-cut beef from a Ft. Lauderdale butcher, and Berkshire Pork Chop, whose legendary flavor was savored by royalty in the House of Windsor.

Chef de Cuisine Jason Coperine, 27, creates simple signature dishes; Spaghetti and Meatball, featuring a jumbo, 8-ounce meatball of pork, veal and beef, using the Italian method of fresh bread soaked in milk, rather than bread crumbs; Spaghetti Pomodoro with local vine ripe tomatoes, basil and garlic (Grandmother Carmella’s Sicilian recipe). Specialty grilled items favor lamp chop “Scotta Dita”, 12-ounce prime rib eye steak paillard, and 18-ounce bone-in rib eye Florentina with garlicy mashed.

Master Pastry Chef, Jordi Panisello’s desserts are especially beautiful; a Nutella Beignet (Grandmother Incarnación’s recipe) with Sambuca-infused dough and Pizzetta de Mela with layered and mascarpone gelato, all made in-house, Old World style.

The dramatic ocean-view Via Luna sparkles with natural light during the day, while five crystal-embedded chandeliers cast a soft amber glow that mimics the full moon at night. The curvilinear design seen throughout the hotel extends to the restaurant with undulating marble floors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Mid-Century Modern caramel leather furniture seats 90 guests indoors, while the adjacent patio accommodates another 40 diners for al fresco dining overlooking the ocean. A stylized entry gate, complements adjacent murals and a color palette of burnt orange with espresso accents.

For parties of up to eight guests, Via Luna’s jewel-like private dining room also offers customized menus for a more intimate experience. Additional dining venues include the stylish 16-foot high ceiling Via Luna Bar, the 5000 bottle Wine Room, and casual Pool Bar overlooking the ocean.

The Ritz-Carlton, Ft. Lauderdale, One North Ft. Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale 954.465.2300, toll-free: 800-241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com

RIBBON CUTTING FOR NEW BIG CYPRESS SWAMP WELCOME CENTER PRECEEDED WITH MAGIC!

Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by Howard Salus in Eco Tourism, Education, Environment, Everglades, Florida News, Green Events

By Libby Marx

libbymarx@earthlink.net

Once upon a time, there was a magical and mystical place. It still exists! It is the Big Cypress National Preserve known as a “recreational paradise”, a protected area that is visited by literally millions of people every year. These visitors may indulge their desires for everything from bird watching, canoeing, hiking, camping and some off road vehicle adventures. They can take their chance of seeing an elusive Florida panther, a bear or explore the wetlands and enjoy the unique wildlife. Whether called the “Western Everglades” or “The Big Cypress Swamp” it is still a unique and amazing area of more than 2,400 square miles, astonishing for its diversity affected by the difference in the level of the land. Both inches of ground level, or inches of rain fall can make a difference in the landscape. National Park Service Rangers will take you on guided activities into the swamp. To facilitate all of the above, now there is a new $2.2 million Welcome Center located on the south side of Tamiami Trail just 2.5 miles east of the intersection of State Route 29.

The new Center will welcome an estimated 250,000 annual visitors. Some will just stop by on their travels to the opposite coast; perhaps they will have a picnic in the scenic area out back, set by the water. Others will use the facilities to help them determine their level of exploration of these protected tracts of land that are open for the enjoyment of the public.

Inside the center are eighteen exhibits. In the western breezeway is a mural entitled “Animal Shelters” showing many of the rare birds one might see during a day in the wilderness. You will also find helpful maps to aid your understanding of the swamps location in relationship to the rest of the surrounding Florida Everglades. Collectively they form the largest natural protected area in the Eastern United States.

Recently dignitaries and guests met for a ribbon cutting for the new Center. The day included exhibits, activities and displays organized by the Big Cypress National Preserve and South Florida’s Community Partners (a group comprised of professionals, volunteers, entrepreneurs, students and activists who join forces to enrich South Florida National Park’s cultural diversity with the National Parks Service staff).

BUT it was the dedication ceremony preceding the ribbon cutting that took my breath away. Pedro Ramos, Big Cypress National Park Superintendent was master of ceremony. Nathaniel Reed, Former Assistant Secretary of the Interior and longtime environmental advocate gave an outstanding testimony to the history and importance of preserving the land, Jon Jarvis, National Parks Service Director, Chief Billy of the Miccosukee Tribe, Jim Coletta, Collier County Commissioner, Charlie Arazoza, Chairman of the Board of the S. Florida National Parks Trust, Nadine Patrice, Executive Director of Green Leaves and others spoke from specific standpoints. There was, however, an underlying theme. Each and every dignitary that spoke had an incredible dedication to the work involved and love for the Big Cypress. They each had an unparalleled respect and admiration for one another and for every contribution, whether of a monetary nature or labor of love. Guests could not help but be influenced by the feeling of “We have done it – we’ve saved the Big Cypress” as we listened to stories and testimonies of the years of work involved with Government agencies and locals. The battles fought and won, the friendships formed, the gratitude, and the appreciation were all expressed in a most united way. It was like a night at the Oscars with no egos. Sitting under the open tent, breathing the fresh air, the sunshine streaming in, plus the smell of the earth culminated to the stark realization that this is all too precious to ever be lost. Sharing the rich history and understanding of the ecology of the Big Cypress Swamp, was part of the theme. The swamp has plant communities from a mixture of temperate and tropical varieties that form the unique environment for a diversity of rare wildlife. Best known are perhaps the Florida panther and the Ghost Orchard. One is an animal, one a plant, but they are both revered and elusive. These jewels only still exist because of the dedication of some of the very people present at the ceremony. After a collection of eloquent speeches packed with information and emotion, the ribbon was cut.

Then we focused on the new center. Quite in keeping with the preservation of the land, is the sustainable structure of the Center which uses several technologies considered green. The solar panels were made possible by a contribution from Everglades’ photographer Clyde Butcher and his wife Nikki. In addition to building materials that are recycled, is the use of LED energy efficient lighting and water saving utilities. The Federal Highways Administration made the building a possibility though a grant. The exhibits, on the other hand, were made possible through funds in full or part from matching gifts that have been made to the South Florida National Parks Trust.

You may have missed the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, but the New Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center is here to stay and is well worth the time to visit. Add an extra hour on to your next trip across the State, so you too can enjoy and learn from the exhibits and information now available to help enrich your appreciation and enjoyment of a land that is still magical and mystical.

Nathaniel Reed, Former Assistant Secretary of the Interior and long time environmental advocate!

Wayne Rassner, Coordinator of the Volunteer Authorized Agent Program at Everglades National Park and Trustee of the S Fla. National Parks Trust, cuddling "Belinda" - a 12 foot, 100 pound Burmese Python