Giving back to the community

Volunteerism is so important in so many ways. 

First, it helps someone else, which in turn, is rewarding on its own. 

But even better are the really great people that you'll meet.

(Setting up at 8am for the Taste of the Tropics)

I recently volunteered at the Taste of the Tropics event sponsored by the Master Gardeners of the Stuart Garden Club. Interestingly, there are by-laws that prohibit the Garden Clubs from showing any political affiliation, but we (the group I represented) were the exception to the rule. Quite honestly, I never considered myself a political person, but I was asked to represent Florida's Water and Land Legacy, an environmental cause I absolutely support.
http://floridawaterlandlegacy.org.

(All ready to collect signatures for Florida's Water and Land Legacy)

Many members of the Garden Club were the first to sign the petition to put an amendment on Florida's  constitution to dedicate a portion of the state's budget (less than 1%) to environmental conservation and preservation. Although funds had been dedicated to the environment in the past through Florida Forever, the funds have not been put toward it in a very long time, and the state's natural resources are suffering.

(Wekiva Springs, Apopka, FL)

Wekiva Springs used to be as blue and beautiful and the crystal clear waters where the Mermaids swim in the Weeki Wachee. Sadly, pollution caused algae and the water turned green and unhealthy.

(Thanks @Facebook.com/Weeki Wachee)

Florida's natural resources are her greatest assets. Have comfort in knowing that there are people who are actively looking out for the environment, but if you love nature, make sure you speak up for it, too, because if there are a lot more people like us, we can make a difference.

Be the change.

Quiet Dignity

 You never know when a life experience will become a humbling one.
For me, each job site offers a new adventure and no day is ever the same.
Each site offers something different, whether it's coastal,
upland, wetland or somewhere in between,
and that's what I love about being out in the environment.

(Nature Love - Thanks to Facebook.com)

The former marina area needed a seagrass survey. The site was on the edge of a fairly poor area of Miami, and I had the usual concerns about personal safety. The two men I was working with were in the water identifying the grasses, while I took notes and marked the site map with the seagrass species and locations. I thought that I had the easier job on land because it had dipped below 40 degrees that morning, and the air was chilly. I really did not want to have to go snorkeling on such a cold day if I could avoid it. I got lucky on this one.

That thought quickly escaped my mind when I saw two very large dogs, a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd, baring their teeth at the North side of the perimeter fence, and the clothes of a homeless person hanging at the South side of the property. I had to go in both directions alone, and wondered which was worse - the growling dogs, or the unknown homeless person. With a baggie of wheat thins in my hand in case I needed a distraction, I carefully walked toward the guard dogs and started taking site notes. To my relief, the dogs' owners had seen us working and took them inside.

 Moving South was going to be even more interesting. As I approached the bridge, I noticed two pairs of pants had been hanging out to dry on the far perimeter fence, along with a blanket. Underneath the bridge, up where it met the road, tucked under the bridge, was a makeshift bed - but there was no one in it. There was a garbage can with a plastic liner just outside the broken gate that led under the bridge. The area was fairly tidy for a bridge easement.

We were standing at the sea wall next to the bridge as we finished up the study. We were reviewing the map, and comparing the data, when an older man with gray hair coasted down the hill toward the water on a beach cruiser bike. He locked the bike to the fence, and unpacked his fishing gear. He settled in under the bridge, and dropped a line in the water, wiggling it every now and then. He looked over and sized us up with one glance. He nodded with approval when we told him where the fish were swimming under the bridge. This was obviously his home. Everything he cared about was on his bike, or under the bridge. He traveled light.

(Smiling Pansies. Thanks @amazing things in the world)

He didn't say much, but what he did say was a pleasant surprise of quiet dignity.
 He welcomed us into his home, looked at us and said,
"What a beautiful day. What a beautiful day to be fishing, I feel blessed."
That was it, but for me, it was enough for me to forget my own problems
and to remember what is truly important.
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is the future, and today is a gift, that's why it's called the present.
Cherish it.

Creativity in Nature

Creativity in nature comes in so many different shapes, sizes and colors. 

Sometimes it appears in the most unusual places.

Whether it develops from a cutting, or finds a way to grow around something, 

it has a way of adapting to survive.

(Thanks to Lilly S., one of my favorite former students, and Facebook.com for the photo and story)

Left by a soldier who went to war in 1914 and never returned, 

the tree continued to grow and the bike became part of it.

Adaptability comes in many forms, but sometimes it just comes naturally- 

leading me to believe that Mother Nature has quite a sense of humor.

(Special thanks to Science is Awesome)

Psychotria elata, also known as the Hot Lips plant, 

is a real plant guaranteed to make anyone smile. 

Beware! 

The little ant battalion formed to survived the flooding waters 

of Tropical Storm Isaac has a mighty bite. 

The almost perfect circle of red ants navigate toward higher ground for survival. 

(Thanks @ Julie Garberg)

Some of the most beautiful things are the simplest things, 

like sunrise on the beach during a morning run.

And some of the littlest things are the sweetest.

Munching on a peanut while checking out the surroundings, 

the squirrel became a regular visitor to a vacationing friend. 

Sometimes the squirrel brought a friend and shared the peanut. 

Nature is awesome like that.

(Thanks @ Amazing things in the world)

Marked for life.

The flower-nosed cat. 

Mother Nature strikes again!

Sandhill Cranes enjoying a beautiful, 

sunny day have no problems sharing the bike trail. 

Nature is cool like that. 

When we create an area with sustainability in mind, it benefits nature. 

This site at one time had been a dump. 

The builder purchased the site and incorporated wetlands with passive recreation for the residents. 

Whether it occurs naturally, or we create it by happenstance, 

creativity in nature reminds me of a few basic concepts. 

Maintain simplicity in design, plan for the future through sustainability, 

and always keep a good sense of humor.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, 

under whose shade you do not expect to sit.

                                                                                   - Nelson Henderson