Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Newsletter - September 2016 Edition

 
Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Newsletter
                      September 2016 Edition



  President’s Message
BY Al Sunshine
Could this be the “Last Fall” for the Richmond Pine Rocklands?

If a Palm Beach Developer had his way, he’d have started bulldozing the former U of Miami South Campus last year and build more “Urban Sprawl” as fast as he can.

If a Miami Dade Commissioner and his supporters have their way, acres of critically endangered habitat there would be cleared for a new Theme Park with the promise of hundreds of new jobs.
What about the rest of us? 
We’d be stuck in even worse gridlocked traffic, not to mention the loss of even more “Globally Imperiled” Pine Rocklands’ Habitat.

All that’s standing in the way of this major environmental nightmare is caring residents more interested about the future for their children, than campaign contributions and Developers’ Promises.

What worries me the most is how much decision-making deciding the fate of the Pine Rocklands is being carried out behind closed doors and away from any Public Scrutiny?

By law, the Federal Licensing process at this point remains confidential and exempt from any public disclosures.

A recent decision by Miami Dade County to allow a contractor to turn a section of the Pine Rocklands into a Construction Storage Site/Garbage Dump was made with NO Public Input and no prior public notice.

Yet, where's the outrage from local Taxpayers that have a right to know what's going on in their neighborhoods, but are continually being kept out of the process?

Have “Developers’ Dollars” bought our local government and replaced it with one that just does the bidding of its largest campaign contributors?

Why is it when we write and email and call our elected officials about our concerns about the continued degradation of our local Pine Rocklands, we usually NEVER HEAR BACK from them?

I have heard “They're Hoping We just Go Away”.

I’m not going anywhere and need your help to stand tall and fight hard for South Florida’s last 2% of Pine Rocklands  I think its’ future should be better than being bulldozed and paved over for a new Shopping Center or Theme Park.

Please, if you haven't done it already, print out copies of this letter and send it to as many local, state and federal lawmakers as you can find.

If you have any problem finding them, let me know.

They may well be behind closed doors with their lobbyist and developer pals asking for more campaign contributions to help “Grease the Skids” to destroy what little remaining green space we still have here. 

“Save it, Don't Pave it”


 EEL? Does it live in Miami-Dade County?
The answer is yes & it lives on dry soil not buried somewhere in the oceans’ abyss.  What is EEL?   Our thanks to Janet Gil, Program Director & Joy Klein, Enviro Pro. Resource Supervisor at Miami-Dade County DERM for giving us an in-depth description of how Miami-Dade County is working feverishly to expand the program which will protect environmentally endangered lands.
 Miami-Dade County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program’s focus is the protection and conservation of endangered lands.
Concerned about the continuing loss of pinelands and other natural areas, Miami-Dade County voters approved a property tax that was collected between 1990 and 1992 to fund the acquisition, protection and maintenance of environmentally endangered lands. The EEL Program identifies and secures these lands for preservation.
The EEL Program and its partners have brought more than 20,700 acres of environmentally endangered lands into public ownership since 1990. Additionally, the EEL Program manages 2,800 acres of natural lands within Miami-Dade County Parks, for a total of more than 23,500 acres protected.
Acquired lands
Types of purchased lands
The protection and conservation of these lands ensure that they will continue to thrive as natural habitats:
Proposed acquisitions
Annually, the EEL program considers proposed acquisition sites by the public. Proposals by government agencies are reviewed semiannually. Each site is inspected by county staff and citizen volunteers who are members of the Land Acquisition Selection Committee (LASC). Following a public hearing, LASC recommends sites for purchase to the Board of County Commissioners.
Once approved for acquisition, a purchase is negotiated with the owner. The EEL Program works only with willing sellers to purchase land. To stretch available funds, EEL seeks matching funds and partners. EEL acquisitions are available for matching grants, joint acquisition agreements, and donations. The State of Florida’s Preservation 2000 program and Florida Forever have also been important sources of matching funds for EEL.
Private property owners interested in preserving and maintaining their own natural areas may qualify for an Environmentally Endangered Lands tax exemption.  THE MRPC applied for protection under the EEL program in April 2016.  We have yet to hear if the lands will be approved.  That decision is left to the Board of County Commissioners.  The date for a public hearing is TBD.
Come little beetle, come…..
       After months & months of requesting an opportunity to tour the land under the protection of Miami-Dade county EEL & Miami-Dade HUD jurisdiction, we were granted access to survey for Miami Tiger Beetles.  Our members, Al Sunshine, Carmen Ferrieiro, Sandy Koi & Cully Waggoner together with Joe McGuire, Natural Areas Manager, Miami-Dade Parks & Recreation Dept., took a walk in search of Tiger beetles.  The FWS recommended August 15-Sept 15 as the best time for beetle sighting however our surveyors were unable to sight any on the ground.  This outcome is our worst nightmare as we anticipate the heavy construction around their habitat is making life difficult if not impossible.  Construction still continues on SW 152nd St & repeated contact to the county has not sped up the date of removal of heavy construction from the compound near where the beetles may also live.  



ICYMI: LOVE THE EVERGLADES MOVEMENT 
SUMMER SYMPOSIUM 2016

The Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition participated in the 3rd Annual Love the Everglades Movement symposium again this year.  During the annual 3 day event, we were fortunate to have our President, Al Sunshine address the symposium bringing light to our efforts to save the Richmond Pine Rocklands.  Al, brought home the need for us as a coalition to act quickly since much of what has been done already has been done behind closed doors without public knowledge & without respect for the land or the endangered species living in the Pines.  Our members enjoyed a full day of educating the public who passed by our MPRC table about the plight of the Richmond Pine Rocklands & how like other environmental issues in Florida has been neglected & is facing a critical future.  Thank you to Al Sunshine, Eileen Cretella, Zac Cosner, Belen Valladeres, Paula Johnson, Gail & Norm Gelvan, Carmen Ferriero & Denise Glass. Also a big thank you to candidates running for political office, Tim Canova & Robert Asencio who visited our table.


    
  
  
  9th ANNUAL EVERGLADES AWARENESS BENEFIT CONCERT AT GRAMPS -176 NW 24th St
Miami, Florida 33127                 2:00 p.m. –1:00 a.m.
On Sunday, September 18, 2016 Ploppy Palace Productions and Love The Everglades Movement will be hosting a concert to raise awareness and funds for Everglades protection and public education. As part of this three stage extravaganza, some of South Florida's top bands, spoken word artists and community activists will join together to raise awareness for this vital natural resource.
There will be musical performances by The Spam Allstars, Army Gideon, The Baboons, Iko Iko, The Medicine Box, Nag Champayons, The Oski Foundation, Magic City Hippies, Blue Sky Drive, Chantil Dukart, Above The Skyline, Spank, Zen Per Capita, PATH, Venus Rising, Kuyayky, Rachelle Coba, Sarah Packiam, Mishelle Forman Duo, Steve Minotti, Grant Livingston, Anthony Nelson, Mr. Grim Reapa, Orion, Raven, Michelangelo, Matt Bodi Brenowitz, Haviken Hayes and more.
Guest speakers include: FL State Rep. David Richardson, Houston Cypress from Love The Everglades Movement, Laura Reynolds from Conservation Concepts; Rhonda Roff from Sierra Club Callusa Chapter; Dara Schoenwald & David Doebler from VolunteerCleanup.org; George Cavros from Floridians For Solar Choice, Sam Van Leer from Urban Paradise Guild, Seth Bloomgarden from Surfrider Foundation Miami Chapter, Samuel Tommie and other concerned citizens.
Spoken word by Alonso, Marcus Blake, Rio and more.
Dance and performance by Elviza's Rockabelly Hippies featuring Elviza, Symphony & Sofia Luna plus Melody Gedeon and more.
Live art by Anibal Fernandez, Linx, Rei Ramirez and more.
Information booths from Love The Everglades Movement, VolunteerCleanup.org and other organizations.
Vendors and small businesses promoting and selling their merchandise, including The Wallflower Gallery, Progressive Rags, Lotus In Hand Therapy and others.
Face painting with Them There Eyes. More kid’s activities are being developed, so stay tuned!
This is an all age’s event

Admission is $ 10.
Children under 12 – FREE

For more information, please check out www.ploppypalace.com or e-mail Ploppy Palace Productions at events@ploppypalace.com or call 305-579-0069.

Members Meet with Congressman Carlos Curbelo
Just before everyone headed back to school, members, Al Sunshine & Belen Valladares met with Congressman Carlos Curbelo & his aides to discuss the history of the destruction of the Richmond Pine Rocklands & what help he can provide to stop further destruction.  With little to no help from federal agencies in protecting the pine rocklands, it is good that we have more politicians recognizing the need to protect the natural resources of Florida.  The coalition has called upon Congressman to sign the Pine Rockland Pledge.  Until that time, members are encouraged to download a letter addressed to the congressman & send it to his office. 
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August Re-charge Meeting
    At our August meeting, we were amazed at the large turnout of members.  Could it have been that we were graced with the attendance of several candidates running for public office in Florida?  Word is getting out that the last 2% of pine rocklands is under attack by West Palm Beach developers & on the verge of being destroyed permanently.  This land not only is loved by MPRC members but also by candidates, many of whom have grown up in South Florida watching acre after acre be destroyed without permanent give-back to the community.  Speaking to our members were.  Scott Fuhrman, Dwight Bullard, Annette Tadeo, Robert Asencio & Andrew Korge Ana Rivas Logan sent a letter of regret that she could not attend.  Although some of the candidates did not win their primary races it does not mean they will stop fighting for what is right.  Candidates Dwight Bullard, Annette Tadeo, Robert Asencio & Joe Garcia all took the pledge to preserve & restore the Richmond Pine Rockland site.  It was great to see support from those who hold one of the keys to winning our fight.  The MPRC does not endorse candidates or give money to a campaign but we do want to know how they will support protecting the lands of Florida for the people who elect them into office.  
 Questions?  Yes, we had questions….
    At the largest meeting to date of the MPRC, members were fully engaged & eager to hear where we are now & where we are headed in the future at the August meeting held at Tropical Audubon.  It’s hard to know the answers to those questions since most of the events surrounding development of the pine rocklands has been behind closed doors, the only thing to do was ask our politicians what is going on & how they will help.  Members wanted to know specifically what their plans are to help the coalition from greedy Palm Beach developers & corporate moguls like Walmart.  All of the candidates agreed that destruction of the land for low-paying jobs will not meet the goals of South Dade development.  And of course, members wanted to know how the traffic will be managed since traffic is already at a standstill in most parts of the Kendall area.  Our members are speaking out & asking the tough questions of parties involved however, the answers are slow in coming.  A little too slow for our liking.  Make no mistake though, we are strong & the MPRC will not die off because of ignorance from federal, state & local agencies.
     

 Will you join us in making a Pledge?
If you haven’t done so already, you can join a growing community that is making a pledge to support the preservation & restoration of the Richmond Pine Rocklands.  A number of local politicians have signed the pledge together with a growing number of members & supporters.  The MPRC was created to see the preservation & restoration through to the end & we can only do it with great members & supporters like you.  Making a pledge is a no-cost way of saying I care about my earth & what happens to it & I am willing to help.  Make the pledge today. 
I pledge support for the Preservation and Restoration of all remaining   Rockland Habitats in the Richmond Pine Rocklands and surrounding Rockland Habitats found in Miami Dade County.

I pledge support for designating the entire Richmond Pine Rocklands bounded roughly between SW 152nd Street and SW 184th Street, between SW 117th and SW 137th Avenues as “Critically Endangered Habitat” to better protect all the rare and endangered plants and animals found there.

I pledge support for the designation of the Miami Tiger Beetle as a threatened species & urge the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission & the United States Fish & Wildlife Service to designate the same.
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   The Village of Palmetto Bay recently held a symbolic planting of 19 Pine Trees.  The trees were a donation from one of the community’s residents. Palmetto Bay has purchased additional trees to bring the total number (for now) to 19 new plantings for Palmetto Bay Park. The trees were for landscaping & not actual restoration. Palmetto Bay’s mayor, Eugene Flinn wishes “that we were hard at work on the 22 acres pending to be saved from development at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, but that property is currently tied up in litigation.  It is important that those 12 cares be protected from development as those 22 acres were under threat of development as part of a development hearing in July 2014.  There were 2 votes on the council as recently as 2016 to keep that controversial 22 acre parcel open for development”.  With lots of love & tender loving care, these pine trees will be a joy for all.  Thank you Palmetto Bay!


 ENDANGERED SPECIES:
Greens' massive lawsuit aims to force FWS deadline deal
Corbin Hiar, E&E reporter
Greenwire: Tuesday, August 23, 2016
The Center for Biological Diversity today threatened legal action against the Fish and Wildlife Service to jump-start the stalled Endangered Species Act status reviews of 417 imperiled species — a move that could set the stage for another major legal settlement between the conservation group and the agency.
The species listed in the notice of intent to sue were all flagged for ESA protection by CBD and other nonprofits over the past eight years. They include coastal flatwoods crayfish, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, panhandle lilies and hundreds of other species.
 After 90-day reviews, FWS found that all of the conservation groups' ESA petitions presented "substantial scientific or commercial information" that the animals or plants should be added to the endangered or threatened species lists. But the agency then failed to complete more rigorous 12-month reviews of the imperiled species to determine whether listing is not warranted, warranted or warranted but precluded by other priorities.
"You are in violation of the law and have abrogated your duty to ensure that protection of endangered species occurs in a timely manner thereby avoiding further decline and increased risk of extinction," CBD said in today's notice.
The notice calls for FWS to "make the required 12-month findings for these 417 species or contact us to develop a legally binding timeline for making these findings within the next sixty days." It was sent to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell; FWS Director Dan Ashe; and Gary Frazer, the service's assistant director for endangered species.
The legal maneuver comes as CBD, Wild Earth Guardians and FWS are reaching the end of a pair of landmark settlements that set listing decision deadlines over six years for 251 species that the agency had determined warranted ESA protection but were not high priorities for listing. Those "sue and settle" deals, as conservative critics have described them, also limited the number of lawsuits that the conservation groups could file against FWS (E&ENews PM, Sept. 9, 2011).
 CBD argues that its latest litigation threat is needed both to protect the species included in the notice and to force the agency to reconsider its listing process.
"Delayed protection can be deadly for species already on the brink of extinction," said Noah Greenwald, the group's endangered species director. "The service needs a systematic plan with binding commitments to consider protection of all U.S. plants and animals that may warrant protection. The list may be long, but it's not infinite — this is a problem that could be tackled with sufficient resources and political will."
Read the letter sent by Center Biological Diversity here:
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INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANY AND PINE ROCKLAND CONFERENCE




To conserve rich tropical plant diversity and the associated natural resources, it is important to gain and exchange knowledge of tropical plants and their habitats.
To this end, the organizing committee wishes to invite you to the
International Tropical Botany and Pine Rockland Conference
October 23-28, 2016,
Miami, Florida, USA.
The conference will consist of two days of scientific presentations, as well as one pre- and two post-conference field trips
to visit pine rocklands in the Florida Keys, the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Area, and Everglades National Park.
 The Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition is on their way to becoming an official 501 (c) 3.  We have filed our application & are waiting the official confirmation.  This a historic step in the history of the coalition & one that our members have been looking forward to.  As we project our fight becoming tougher with the need to generate a solid bottom-line, our ability to offer donators tax-exempt status makes us happy.  We know that activists give to many operations so a little tax-deduction come the end of the year makes it a little easier to give to the charities that need you the most.  



  Thank you to our treasurer, Carmen Ferriero, for creating a MPRC blog site.  Please log onto: 
http://miamipinerocklands.blogspot.com/ for news & information about the MPRC.  Carmen is a talented nature photographer & her photos of the recent Tiger Beetle survey are posted on this site.  



Craving chocolate…?
 Our member, Paula Johnson can help cure you with her Earth Mother Chocolate. Paula makes her own organic, fair trade, vegan, dairy-free, no emulsifiers, preservatives or artificial ingredients.  Flavors: Plain, Almond, Pecan, Coconut, Coffee, Anise.  It is the real deal and it is delicious! Must be kept refrigerated.  
Fair Trade means that farmers receive a guaranteed fair price and good labor conditions, including safe working conditions and fair living wages. Plus, middlemen are eliminated, which allows farmers to strengthen their organizations and be competitive in the global economy.
 Also, the farmers decide democratically how to use their revenues, investing in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement training and organic certification. As for the crops themselves, the Fair Trade certification system prohibits using genetically modified organisms (GMOs), promotes integrated farm management systems that improve soil fertility, and limits the use of harmful agrochemicals in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve ecosystems.
$2 per ounce or $30 per pound.    
To order, call Paula, 305-431-6512





Fairchild's Connect to Protect Network enlists Miami residents to plant native plants in order to connect the few remaining isolated fragments of pine rockland--a globally critically imperiled plant community. Planted areas can include private yards, rights-of-way along roads, and public lands such as schools and parks. Installing native pine rockland plants and removing non-native, invasive plants increases the probability that bees, butterflies and birds can find and transport seeds and pollen across developed areas that separate pine rockland fragments, improving gene flow and genetic health of native plant species.
  • Free plants!  New members have the opportunity to receive a free "pine rockland starter kit," grown by native plant experts in Fairchild's nursery.  Existing members watch our newsletter for other opportunities for free plants throughout the year.
  • Yard sign:  We provide an optional yard sign to signify your property is part of Fairchild's Connect to Protect Network.
  • Newsletter:  All members receive the Connect to Protect Network's monthly e-newsletter
  • Member meeting:  Members convene semi-annually for education, discussion, plant exchange, and a pine rockland field trip.
  • Citizen Science: All members have the opportunity to act as citizen scientists, providing information back to the network.  
  • Lower bills and increased wildlife presence:  Last but not least, members receive all of the benefits that come with planting native plants (lower water and maintenance bills, increased visits from birds and butterflies).
Joining Connect to Protect is free and easy!  We only require that you are located in Miami-Dade County, and that you can maintain pine rockland plants (existing or donated) on your property for at least two years. If you would like to join the network but do not own property, you are welcome to join as an Email-only member, just contact us at ConnectToProtect@fairchildgarden.org.  


CREATURE FEATURE:
 Bartram's scrub-hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami) is a federally endangered butterfly that is native to the pine rockland habitat of south Florida. At rest, this species is easy to recognize by the broad white bands with a black edge that can be seen when the wings are closed. Bartram's scrub-hairstreaks seldom fly very far from their host plant, pineland croton (Croton linearis). Adults can be found every month of the year but are never very abundant in Everglades National Park (NP). Careful observers may also be able to spot caterpillars feeding in pine rockland habitat throughout the year.
 Despite its rapid flight, this hairstreak is easily observed because the bold white lines beneath both wings provide an instant flash of color.
 The Bartram's scrub-hairstreak once occurred in pine rockland habitat throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Over time, their populations have declined throughout their historic range and their distribution is now extremely limited. While no one is certain of the exact cause, the reasons for this decline may include destruction of pine rockland habitat, introduction of exotic plant and insect species, fire suppression or exclusion, use of insecticides for mosquito control, and collecting. Bartram's scrub-hairstreak can still be found in a few pine rockland fragments in Miami-Dade County and on Big Pine Key in the lower Florida Keys.
Within the United States, Bartram's scrub-hairstreak is found only in south Florida and only where the host plant of its caterpillar stage—pineland croton—grows.
Caterpillars of the Bartram's scrub-hairstreak feed only on pineland croton, a shrub that grows in the understory of pine rockland habitat. Consequently, this species is dependent on the health of their host plant populations. Pineland croton and most other plants found in pine rockland habitat require periodic fires that maintain an open understory, reduce competition from other plant species, and help prevent infestations of nonnative plants. The Everglades NP Fire Management Program uses prescribed fire to ensure that pine rockland habitat, along with all of its associated plant and animal species, is maintained.
  Bartram's scrub-hairstreak caterpillars molt five times as they grow. Each different caterpillar stage is called an instar.

National Park Service scientists study the Bartram's scrub-hairstreak and its host plants to help answer two main questions. Surveys of areas in Long Pine Key where this species has been found in the past help the National Park Service understand where host plant and butterfly populations are located and how those populations are doing over time. In addition, these surveys also allow Everglades NP to ensure that management activities do not have unintended impacts on this and other species. Park scientists also collect data on host plants, caterpillars, and adults at specific locations. This detailed monitoring has helped the park understand how the Bartram's scrub-hairstreak responds to the application of prescribed fire.
  
First and second instars remain well camouflaged amongst the white croton flowers, while the later stages roam the entire plant.
The National Park Service also shares information about the Bartram's scrub-hairstreak with its sister agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, scientists at Everglades NP work with local conservation groups such as the Imperiled Butterfly Working Group and citizen scientists concerned with long-term status of the Bartram's scrub-hairstreak. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to ensure that this species does not disappear into extinction from one of the few places on Earth where it is found.
Photos by Jimi Sadle
Everybody wants one…..
The new shipment of MPRC spirit gear arrived right on time.  If you or someone you know wanted to purchase a t-shirt, tank or hoodie but didn’t get a chance... never worry.  We will restart the campaign again in the near future & will keep you posted when orders can be taken.  Thank you for your support!











 September “Fall in The Pine Rocklands” 
General Membership meeting – Thursday, September 15, 2016 – 7 PM
Tropical Audubon Society – Doc Thomas House 
                                             5530 Sunset Drive
                                                                                    South Miami, Florida 




 For more information on the Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition & to become a member please visit:




    We extend a special “Thank you” to our coalition partners & to YOU our coalition members.













Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.

Henry David Thoreau
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