Florida Right To Clean Water’s Post

#Aboutlastweekend, this is my favorite photo from our morning cleanup, Saturday, April 27, on the Ribault River. Capt. Sam Baker of Sol Margin Fishing & Conservation Foundation had just assisted a youth in catching this fish. I'm not an angler but he called it "a red." Our family from South Carolina said it looked like a spot. I don't know what its name, but before my plant-based lifestyle I called it good food. The look on the Captain's face reminds me of hearing a youngster say, "I did it!" I imagine that's the sentiment every time you have waited expectantly on fish to bite your hook and then, suddenly, it does! Capt. Baker loves nature. He loves fishing, loves the environment, and he loves teaching others about what he loves. Now he has a band of supporters, including us at the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Community Trust, Inc., who want to help him help the community sustain our culture by returning the river to a healthy state. He and Kristopher Smith of the #RibaultSportsmenAssociation, working with the St. Johns Riverkeeper and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Jacksonville, know that a #resilientribault means a #resilientcommunity of #GullahGeechee people who can maintain their #culture through #subsistencefishing and passing down #fishingtraditions to the next generation. #Environmentalconservation is #culturalconservation. Intervening in the #climatecrisis includes providing tools that communities in its path can use to become #sustainable. I'm looking forward to helping Gullah/Geechee people maintain our culture, despite the odds. When the right opportunities bite, we'll reel them in and then we can say, "We did it!" Photo credit: Glenda Simmons Jenkins

Today is World Wetlands Day! Here are five Give Lively nonprofit members who work year-round to protect these endangered and vital habitats. https://lnkd.in/eb3PT4Xj #worldwetlandsday #climatechange #climateaction #wetlands

TSF is playing an important role in conserving, improving, and protecting our nation's cold water resources while providing angling opportunities for future generations. Take five minutes to learn more about TSF's work!

During Shea Month this July, we're bringing attention to the environmental threats facing shea parklands, the impact on the shea supply chain and the communities that depend on it. This year, we're also focusing on how you can contribute to parkland restoration efforts to combat and reverse these challenges. The Global Shea Alliance partnered with its members to create a comprehensive guide for cultivating shea seedlings in community based nurseries. One of the goals of the Action for Shea Parklands (ASP) initiative is to grow 10 million trees and important to this mission is the availability of tree seedlings. By fostering the creation of community nurseries and motivating individuals to take part in shea and native tree cultivation, we can all play a role in revitalising shea parklands. ASP empowers individuals and communities to actively engage in environmental preservation, secure the shea supply chain and support the livelihoods of those reliant on these trees. Discover how you can get involved and find our guide to sowing shea seeds here: https://shorturl.at/g6hiF #WomenInShea #SheaMonth2024 #Sheaparklands #SahelParklands #Action4shea #Partnership4Shea #GenerationRestoration

My telephone is already ringing about this article, which I have not had an opportunity to fully absorb. It appears the article is conflating purposes for conservation easements (public conservation programs vs. regulatory easements) and ancillary issues such as land use (zoning). However, supporters of Florida's popular conservation programs, Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, need to understand the conservation easements used by those programs only permit extinguishment of a conservation easement "by judicial proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction" if "unexpected circumstances arise in the future" that render the conservation purposes of the conservation easement impossible, impractical or unfeasible to accomplish. This is the standard for charitable contributions associated with conservation easements established by the Internal Revenue Service, which is very focused on ensuring the perpetuity of the conservation restrictions. #florida #conservation #conservationeasements #floridalawyer

Cheers to Suncoast Waterkeeper for launching its Mangrove Ranger program to safeguard Florida's precious mangroves. Mangroves aren't just trees—they're lifelines for our coastlines, marine biodiversity, and our planet's health. They are critical nurseries for juvenile reef fish like tarpon and redfish, and for invertebrates like shrimp and clams. As sea levels rise and development increases, their protection is more crucial than ever. The Mangrove Ranger program empowers volunteers to monitor mangrove health and report violations, providing vital data for advocacy efforts. We all need to protect our mangroves for current and future generations! Read more about the program below. #mangroves, #ClimateAction, #water, #cleanwater --

Letters of Intent are now being accepted for 2024 Biodiversity Conservation Grant With major support from Toyota Motor North America, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is excited to announce $200,000 in grant funding to support shovel-ready pollinator habitat enhancement projects on America’s Public Lands. Habitat enhancement projects should directly support the creation, restoration, remediation, improvement, and/or protection of habitats for important pollinator species such as butterflies, bees, bats, and more. The project should directly impact pollinators on at least 200 acres of public land. Additionally, projects should incorporate community outreach and engagement activities designed to educate and empower the public to help enhance pollinator habitats. Eligibility Requirements: * Open to non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, state or federal government agencies, federally recognized tribes and local governments, and educational institutions. * Projects must be on public lands defined as any local, state, or federal government- or nonprofit-owned land that is accessible to the public for recreational use on a regular basis. This grant period will run from 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025. The grant competition will be a two-part process. Those interested in applying must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) as an online application. NEEF will then select and invite a small number of finalists to submit a full application for review. From that pool, NEEF will then choose its grantees. The deadline for LOI submission is March 1, 2024. https://lnkd.in/ekAtQUUG

Happy International Day of Action for #Rivers... Let’s face the facts… How much plastic do you think goes into the ocean every year in Australia alone? Answer: Annually, around 130,000 tonnes of plastic find their way into the marine environment in Australia. Source: Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. What is the main source of Ocean plastic pollution? Answer: Rivers carry plastic waste from deep inland to the sea, making them the main contributors to ocean pollution. It is estimated that 1,000 rivers are accountable for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions into the ocean, which range between 0.8 and 2.7 million tonnes per year, with small urban rivers amongst the most polluting. Source: The Ocean Cleanup. On average, how much plastic trash does each Australian dispose of per year? Answer: Each year, Australia produces a grand total of 2.6 million metric tons of plastic waste, equating to about 100 kilograms per person. Source: The National Waste Report 2022. Taking control of the pollution reaching our rivers and ocean begins with our choices and actions. Are you ready to take action? https://lnkd.in/g7RD8_mB #freshwater #watercrisis #watersystems #waterconservation #takeaction

Engaging in the legislative process is a long-term investment. As an example, remember back in 2021 when we asked you to get involved in passing HB 122 to increase AccessYes! and wildlife crossing funds? That bill passed and those funds were raised. As a result, the WGFD just purchased a parcel near Woods Landing, WY. This 460-acre property opens up great access to river bottom along the Laramie River, as well as providing hunting access to the foothills west of the river. Not to mention, this means the habitat will remain conserved for wildlife in perpetuity. Wins like this are why, as an 86-year-old organization, we're engaged and at the table during the legislative sessions year-in and year-out. If you would like to give to help WWF continue expanding and improving on these legislative efforts, please learn more about the 2023 End of Year Giving. Photo: Mule deer wintering near Woods Landing, WY, February 2019. Taken by Jaden Bales.

I am thrilled to share an incredible funding opportunity for our community: the Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant, generously offered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 🏞️ Grant Title: Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant 🌐 Funder: Florida Department of Environmental Protection ⏰ Deadline: January 10, 2024 The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program is a game-changer for local governments and eligible non-profit environmental organizations. This state land acquisition grant program aims to support the acquisition of community-based parks, open spaces, and greenways that enhance outdoor recreation and protect natural resources as outlined in local government and comprehensive plans. 💡 Key Program Highlights: 💼 Leverage Local Dollars: This program allows local governments to maximize their impact by combining local funds with state dollars, optimizing conservation efforts. 💼 Encourage Partnerships: Fostering public-private partnerships is at the core of this initiative, promoting collaboration for a sustainable future. 💼 Land Acquisition Initiatives: The grant actively supports and encourages initiatives focused on acquiring land to preserve and enhance our natural environment. This is a golden opportunity for our community to enhance the quality of life, promote outdoor recreation, and contribute to the protection of our valuable natural resources. Let's come together to explore the possibilities, create lasting impacts, and make our shared vision for a greener, healthier community a reality. For more information and to apply, visit: https://buff.ly/3Exzwib Act now, mark your calendars, and let's make a positive difference together! 🌍💚 #FloridaForever #CommunityDevelopment #GrantOpportunity #GreenSpaces #Sustainability