Lessons from an Old Toad:
Amphibian Life Histories

C. Kenneth Dodd
Research Biologist, Retired
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Thursday, November 6
7:30 pm

University of Florida
Nematology / Entomology Building r. 3118

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Welcome to The Suwannee - St. Johns Group of the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club. The national Sierra Club was founded by John Muir in 1892. The local group was founded by Ken and Betty Watson and has been active since 1971.

Alachua County is developing a Countywide Waterways Master Plan to ensure that its natural water resources continue to provide recreation in a safe and sustainable way well into the future.

www.AlachuaWaterways.org

United Nations Day
Gainesville Women's Club
October 23, 2008
9:00am - 1:00pm

Oct. 25, 2008
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fourth Annual Florida Bat Festival
Lubee Bat Conservancy
1309 N.W. 192nd Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32609
more>>>

Folding Party for
November Newsletter
Friday, Oct. 24, 7:30 pm

Folding Party for
December Newsletter
Friday, Nov. 28, 7:30 pm

SSJ Group Contact Info:
Rob Brinkman
Cell: 352-318-4934
Home: 352-337-1757
RobBrinkman@cox.net

Sierra Club Endorsements for Election 2008:
http://www.sierraclub.org/politics/endorsements/index.asp

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VOLUNTEERS WANTED!       The Community Weatherization Coalition Announces:
                                                           Volunteer Energy Auditor Training- Fall 2008
Sign up to learn to teach homeowers how to save energy.         More Info>>>>>>>>>>>

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Saturday, October 4         “International Coastal Cleanup Day”
Service Outing: Newnans Lake Cleanup and Adopt-A-County-Road Lake Shore Drive Cleanup. Meet at the Gainesville Area Rowing Facility (located where East University Avenue meets the lake) at 8:30 am.

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Cypress forests throughout the Gulf region and the southeast are being logged in many cases solely to produce cypress garden mulch. Cypress forests are important habitat for wildlife, provide important storm surge and flood protection, and enhance water quality. In Florida, cypress domes act as natural filters in areas of aquifer recharge providing critical filtration for the water supply. The destruction of such valuable ecosystems for an inherently disposable product must be halted, especially when sustainable mulch alternatives are readily available.

The problem of cypress deforestation has been well-documented in Louisiana and Florida, and the problem can grow beyond those states as the market for mulch expands. In Louisiana, the best science shows that many of the swamps may never grow back once cut, and in Florida, data shows that the trees are being felled faster than they can come back. Data from 2003 indicates that almost half of the cypress cut in Florida is used for mulch production.

http://www.healthygulf.org

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INVASIVE EXOTIC SNAIL IN NEWNANS LAKE:   The non-native ISLAND APPLE SNAIL was discovered in Newnans Lake near the Windsor public boat ramp last fall. This is the first discovery of this invasive snail in Alachua County. Eradication of these exotic plant-eating snails is underway by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Johns River Water Management District, and the University of Florida, IFAS.  
More info >>>>>>

http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/Docs/FWC_applesnails_FLMS_handout.pdf

              

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The consensus of scientists around the world is that human activities are causing an increase in greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere resulting in a rise in average global temperature.                     Read more>>