Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance - Hillsborough County & City ...

The mission of the Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance is to
protect and enhance the ecological sustainability and quality of life
in the Hillsborough River watershed through coalition building, research,
education and advocacy.
Hillsborough River
Watershed Alliance
_____________________________
E-Newsletter
Save Our Watershed August 16, 2013
In This Issue
New Frog Listening Network
Audio Presentation
Information Regarding
Sinkholes from the Florida
Geological Survey
Green Infrastructure and Water
Management in Growing
Metropolitan Areas
TBEP Mini-Grant Webinar Set
for Aug. 20
FWC asks public to report
sightings of rare snakes
Lakeland 10th Annual
Cardboard Boat Challenge and
Lakes Festival
Programs at Brooker Creek
Preserve
Crowd-Sourcing the Nation:
Now a National Effort
Guided Paddle Trips at Camp
Bayou
UF researchers find changes in
forest management could
produce large water yields
Public Comment Sought on
State Conservation Land Sales
SWFWMD Springs Instagram
Contest
Pasco County Extension
Frog Listening Network
Audio Presentation
The Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance offers
an audio presentation on the frog and toad
population in the Hillsborough River watershed.
The program can be downloaded to your MP3 player or listened to via the
web (no audio player needed). In addition, there is a description of each
frog or toad and their calls. These are also downloadable.
The Frog Listening Network (FLN) is a volunteer-based monitoring
program in which the public is trained to collect data about frog and toad
populations in west-central Florida.
Volunteers learn how to identify amphibians both audibly and visually. You
do not have to be a scientist to be a part of the FLN and volunteers of all
ages and backgrounds are welcome. We provide free trainings complete
with educational materials such as full-color field identification cards to
help you learn each amphibian species and their individual calls. We'll also
teach you how to collect and record frog population data in a way that's
fun and easy.
To access the audio, please go to the following link:
hillsborough.wateratlas.usf.edu/fln/audio.aspx

Service Programs for
September 2013
Photo and Essay Contest: Life
in Pasco Today, 2013
Now Accepting Nominations for
FLERA Annual Awards
Sea Level Rise Summit 2013
Now Accepting Calendar Photo
Submissions!
Panther sightings reported
throughout Florida
Hillsborough River & Coastal
Cleanup
Gopher Tortoise Grants
Available
USDA Seeks Applications for
Grants to Create Jobs,
Economic Opportunity in Rural
Areas
Remembering the river.
Learn More About the
Hillsborough River
Watershed
Any groups or organizations
that may be interested in
hearing about the
Hillsborough River watershed
is invited to contact the
Hillsborough River Watershed
Alliance. The presentation
"Making Better Choices for a
Healthy Watershed" highlights
the watershed, its
environmental status, impacts
on water quality, what
residents can do to reduce
pollution, and where to get
help in protecting the
watershed.
The presentation is free.
For more information or to
book a presentation, please
contact the
Hillsborough River Watershed
Alliance
at hrwafl@verizon.net or call
(813) 245-0583.
Information Regarding Sinkholes
from the Florida Geological Survey
~Facts and information about
encountering sinkholes in the state of Florida~
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Geological
Survey has compiled the following information to provide a single point
source for general knowledge about the nature of sinkholes in the state of
Florida and additional information about proper protocol should you ever
encounter a sinkhole in an urban area.
Facts about sinkholes in Florida:
-The entire state of Florida sits on top of several thousand feet of
limestone. Limestone is a rock that can form with natural void spaces
called porosity. In limestone where the void spaces are connected, the
rock is permeable. Porous and permeable limestone makes great
aquifers and provide millions of gallons of fresh drinking water for
residents and agriculture. The most significant factor in the development
of sinkholes is the dissolution of the limestone underlying Florida by
naturally acidic groundwater.
-Sinkholes are a natural and common feature of Florida's landscape. They
are only one of many kinds of karst landforms, which include depressions,
caves (both air and water filled), disappearing streams, springs and
underground aquifer systems, all of which occur in Florida. Thousands of
naturally occurring sinkholes can be seen throughout the state of Florida
including many that connect underground to springs, rivers and lakes.
-Sinkholes form in karst terrain from the collapse of surface sediments into
underground voids. In Florida one may see solution sinkholes, coversubsidence
sinkholes or cover-collapse sinkholes. The first two types will
show very little topographical disturbance to the naked eye, while the third
is the type which shows a abrupt change in topography and is most
associated with the thought of sinkholes.
Questions about sinkholes in urban and suburban environments:
-My yard is settling... Do I have a sinkhole? Maybe. But a number of other
factors can cause holes, depressions or subsidence of the ground surface.
Expansive clay layers in the earth may shrink upon drying, buried organic
material, poorly-compacted soil after excavation work, buried trash or logs
and broken pipes all may cause depressions to form at the ground
surface. These settling events, when not verified as true sinkholes by
professionals, are collectively called "subsidence incidents." If the settling
is affecting a dwelling, further testing by a licensed engineer with a
licensed geologist on staff or a licensed geology firm may be in order.
Property insurance may pay for testing, but in many cases insurance may
not cover damage from settling due to causes other than sinkholes.
-A sinkhole opened in my neighborhood... should I be concerned?
Although sinkholes in Florida sometimes occur in sets, most are isolated
events. The bedrock underlying the state is honeycombed with cavities of
varying size, most of which will not collapse in our lifetimes. A quick

The HRWA on Facebook!
The Hillsborough River
Watershed Alliance now has
a Facebook page. You can
now share your
river/watershed adventures,
thoughts, stories, photos, and
other experiences from living
in or visiting the watershed.
Become a friend of the
Hillsborough River
watershed.
inspection of your property for any sinking or soft areas might be prudent.
Unless the sinkhole is very large, and extends to your property, there's
likely to be little reason for concern.
Should a sinkhole open in an area near you the hole should be
immediately cordoned off and clearly marked to protect traffic. Contact
local law enforcement to report the hazard and call your city or county
road department to initiate repair work. If the road is private, repair of the
hole is usually the responsibility of the landowner or property owners'
association.
-Is there a safe area of Florida where there is no chance of sinkholes?
Technically, no. Since the entire state is underlain by carbonate rocks,
sinkholes could theoretically form anywhere. However, there are definite
regions where sinkhole risk is considerably higher. In general, areas of the
state where limestone is close to surface, or areas with deeper limestone
but with a conducive configuration of water table elevation, stratigraphy,
and aquifer characteristics have increased sinkhole activity.
Additionally, the Department announced Friday that the Florida Geological
Survey, in conjunction with the Florida Division of Emergency
Management, has received a $1.1 million grant from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to address sinkhole vulnerability. Find
more information here.
Green Infrastructure and Water Management
in Growing Metropolitan Areas
14 - 16 January 2014
Patel College of Global Sustainability at the University of South Florida -
Tampa
Call for Abstracts
Green infrastructure can be an effective and efficient means of managing
stormwater flows and pollutant loading. Beyond these core functions,
green infrastructure offers multiple ecosystem services and health and
well-being benefits- offering a significant advantage over conventional
gray infrastructure . Despite these noted benefits, municipal leaders face
significant challenges when attempting to implement green infrastructure
strategies in new and existing development.
Green Infrastructure in Growing Metropolitan Areas will address the
challenges and opportunities surrounding green infrastructure. The event
will bring together scientists, engineers, urban planners, and urban natural
resource managers to highlight the latest developments in the science
behind of green infrastructure, illustrate new and innovative policy,
demonstrate innovative engineering techniques, and outline emerging
urban design models useful in protecting the water resources within the
world's growing metropolitan regions.
Practitioners and researchers from across the full range of engineering,
urban and landscape design, natural resource management and social
science disciplines are invited to submit abstracts for oral and poster
presentations. The abstracts should cover one out of the four conference

topics:
1. Defining the Benefits of Green Infrastructure: Theme will focus on
scientific foundation of the use of green infrastructure in managing
urban water, including surface water and ground water recharge,
as well as identify the gaps in our present knowledge.
2. Barriers to Green Infrastructure Implementation: Theme will focus
on scientific inquiry and cost-benefit analysis that address the
perception that performance is unknown, concerns about
regulatory agency acceptance of green infrastructure,
maintenance requirements and costs, conflicting legal mandates,
and the lack of staff expertise.
3. Funding Green Infrastructure Design, Implementation and
Maintenance: Theme will focus on investigations into the true
economic costs and benefits of transforming a municipal gray
infrastructure system into a mixed gray-green system and the
implementation costs, as well as long-term maintenance costs of
green infrastructure.
4. Implementation Strategies for Governments, Communities and
Developers: Theme will address the organization and
implementation of public policy, including land planning regulation
and green infrastructure site development procedures.
Submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the Green Infrastructure in
Growing Metropolitan Areas scientific committee. The authors of the
accepted abstract will be notified by October 15, 2013. The authors must
confirm their attendance by registering for the conference by December
15, 2013. The accepted and confirmed abstracts will be published in the
conference proceedings of the "Green Infrastructure and Water
Management in Growing Metropolitan Regions Conference". After the
conference, selected abstracts will be invited to contribute a full-paper to a
special edition of a journal.
Conference Organizers: University of South Florida's Patel College of
Global Sustainability and the University of Florida IFAS with additional
financial support from the U.S. Forest Service.
Abstract Submittal: Download abstract template and submit abstract Here
or go to usfweb3.usf.edu/PGS/abstractform.aspx
Important Dates:
Sept 15, 2013 - Deadline to Submit Abstracts
Oct 15, 2013 - Notification of Abstract Acceptance
Dec 15, 2013 - Deadline for Early Registration
Jan 6, 2014 - Deadline for Registration
Registration & Logistics: Click patel.usf.edu/patel-center/2014-greeninfrastructure-conference/
(contact skoures@usf.edu if you have
trouble viewing website)
Contact: For questions and conference details please contact Bessie
Skoures at skoures@usf.edu

TBEP Mini-Grant Webinar Set for Aug. 20
Do you have a project to help improve Tampa Bay and want to submit a
grant application?
Mini-Grant projects often include removal of invasive plants like Brazilian
pepper
Tampa Bay Estuary Program's annual Bay Mini-Grants program is offering
funding up to $5,000 to civic organizations, schools, clubs and
businesses. A Bay Mini-Grants Webinar will be held at 3 pm on Tuesday,
August 20, for interested parties.
This webinar will focus on submitting bay improvement projects for grant
approval AND will answer frequently asked questions about the grant
application and selection process. The webinar will accommodate only 25
participants, so sign up today! To register and receive log-in information,
contact Misty at misty@tbep.org or call (727) 893-2765.
To learn more about Bay Mini-Grants go to
tbep.org/bayminigrants.html, where you can also find information about
grant recipients from previous years.
FWC asks public to report sightings of rare snakes
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists are
asking the public to report sightings of three rare snake species: Florida
pine snake, southern hognose snake and short-tailed snake. Citizens can
help with research on these species by reporting sightings online.
"Reports from the public will aid us in determining where these snakes live
and their status," said Kevin Enge, FWC research biologist.
All of these snake species have been petitioned for federal listing.
The three species are found in dry, upland habitats and spend most of
their time underground. They are only occasionally seen moving along the
surface or crossing a road.
For each report, the citizen is asked to provide the location where they
saw the snake and the month and year the observation occurred.
Researchers are also requesting citizens to submit photos of the snakes,
when possible, to verify identification.
Reports can include live or dead animals.
Although these species are nonvenomous, citizens should avoid handling
or disturbing them.
For more information about living with snakes and to submit sightings to
the FWC, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation, select "How You Can
Conserve," and choose "Snakes" under "Living with Wildlife."

On your mark, get set, row!
Lakeland 10th Annual Cardboard
Boat Challenge and Lakes Festival
Mark your calendars to join us Saturday, September 14, 2013 for the 10th
Annual Cardboard Boat Challenge and Lakes Festival.
This is a great community event where the challenge will be to design,
construct and race a boat made of cardboard around a marked course in
Lake Hollingsworth. There will be exhibitors, food vendors, live music and
a variety of other activities to enjoy while teams are building their boats.
The fun begins at 8 a.m. and goes through noon.
We know what you're thinking, but a cardboard boat really can float if you
construct it wisely! Even if you don't have a team in this event, come out
and watch and enjoy a beautiful day at the lake.
For more information, please contact me if you have any questions at:
lakeseducation@hotmail.com
Keep up to date with this event on our Facebook page:
facebook.com/pages/Lakeland-Cardboard-Boat-Challenge-
Lakeshore-Festival/178261525563717
Featured Creature: The Coyote
Sat., August 17 10:30-11:30 am
Programs at Brooker Creek Preserve
If you have seen a coyote in a residential area, you are not alone. Come
and learn about this nocturnal creature and its presence in our area. Join
UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension Agent Lara Miller as she discusses
the life history of the coyote as well as its ability to adapt and survive in
urban environments. Free, but registration requested at coyoteseorg.eventbrite.com/
Crowd-Sourcing the Nation: Now a National Effort
The USGS continues to expand its crowd-sourcing of geographic data and
is seeking volunteers nation-wide to contribute structures information.
The mapping crowd-sourcing program, known as The National Map Corps
(TNMCorps), encourages citizens to collect structures data by adding new
features, removing obsolete points, and correcting existing data for The
National Map database. Structures being mapped in the project include
schools, hospitals, post offices, police stations and other important public
buildings.
Since the start of the project in 2012, more than 780 volunteers have
made in excess of 13,000 contributions. In addition to basic editing, a
second volunteer peer review process greatly enhances the quality of data
provided back to The National Map. A few months ago, volunteers in 35
states were actively involved. This final release of states opens up the

entire country for volunteer structures enhancement.
To show appreciation of our volunteer's efforts, The National Map Corps
has instituted a recognition program that awards "virtual" badges to
volunteers. The badges consist of a series of antique surveying
instruments ranging from the Order of the Surveyor's Chain (25 - 50
points) to the Theodolite Assemblage (2000+ points). Additionally,
volunteers are publically acclaimed (with permission) via Twitter,
Facebook and Google+.
"I enjoy mapping structures, it's a unique combination of validating
structures from aerial photography and web-based sources," says
TNMCorps volunteer Don Kloker. "My structures contributions have
provided me with an excellent geography lesson and I have learned many
things about communities that I most likely would not have been otherwise
able to experience." Don has contributed more than 2,000 points and
quickly reached the highest recognition badge, the Theodolite
Assemblage.
The citizen geographers/cartographers who participate in this program
make a significant addition to the USGS's ability to provide accurate
information to the public. Data collected by volunteers become part of The
National Map structures dataset which is available to users free of charge.
"TNMCorps allows me to update structure locations and their official
names from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)," said
Corey Plank, Cartographer for the US Bureau of Land Management.
"These updates allow The National Map and US Topo map series to better
represent ground structures and official labels."
As part of an effort to engage civilian organizations, this year's 4-H
National Youth Science Day, planned for October 9, 2013, will feature
geographic technology projects that are part of TNMCorps data collection
efforts.
Tools on TNMCorps website explain how a volunteer can edit any area,
regardless of their familiarity with the selected structures, and becoming a
volunteer for TNMCorps is easy; go to The National Map Corps website
to learn more and to sign up as a volunteer. If you have access to the
Internet and are willing to dedicate some time to editing map data, we
hope you will consider participating!
Guided Paddle Trips at Camp Bayou
Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center in Ruskin will offer guided canoe
tours once a month on the following dates: August 24 and September 21,
starting at 9 am and lasting approximately 90 minutes. Cost is just $25 per
canoe. Have your own canoe or kayak? A donation of $5 is requested to
be part of the guided tour. Reservations required- contact 813-641-8545
or email campbayou@gmail.com for more information.

UF researchers find changes in forest
management could produce large water yields
Despite a soggy summer, water supply remains a critical issue in the
Sunshine State. University of Florida researchers now say that reducing
plant material, or biomass, in forests could significantly increase water
supplied to streams, lakes and aquifers.
Researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences made
the finding by creating computer models that analyzed the effects of
reduced forest biomass on regional hydrological supplies. Their results will
be published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Water
Resources Association.
In one 4,000-acre tract in Central Florida, the model predicted that
converting a densely planted pine forest to one managed with slightly
fewer trees per acre could supply an additional 400,000 to 1.6 million
gallons of water per day to the regional water supply.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Annual
Status Report on Regional Water Supply Planning, water use in the St.
Johns Water Management District, where this study occurred, was about
1.3 billion gallons a day in 2010.
Matthew Cohen, study co-author and an associate professor in the
UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation, said between 70
and 100 percent of rain that falls on Florida's forests returns to the
atmosphere through evapotranspiration instead of becoming water stored
in wetlands, lakes or aquifers.
During evapotranspiration, water from the sky enters the soil, is taken up
by plant roots and then is released into the atmosphere through plant
leaves.
By adjusting the evapotranspiration rate even slightly, for example by
reducing the number of trees in the simulated forest or by introducing
prescribed fire to control small shrubs and underbrush, large water yields
become apparent, Cohen said.
With more than 16 million acres of forest land in Florida, forestry provided
a more than $6 billion impact on the state in 2011 and supplied nearly
76,000 jobs.
To maximize profits, many private and industrial landowners densely plant
pine trees. To entice growers to reduce tree densities to free up more
water for the aquifer, incentives might be an option for policymakers to
consider, Cohen said.
"Because there are so many people out there who would like to see more
water available, if forest land owners could be paid some kind of
easement compensation, known as payments for ecosystem services,
then they might be willing to adopt a new management strategy that would
make water available," he said.
Daniel McLaughlin, the study's lead author and a research assistant

scientist in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, said
forestry is already one of the most water-conserving ways land can be
used for profit.
"We're just looking for opportunities to yield even more water off those
lands," he said.
The study was funded by Rayonier Corporation, a forest products
company. David A. Kaplan, an assistant professor in UF's Engineering
School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, is also a co-author.
Public Comment Sought on
State Conservation Land Sales
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has launched a
webpage and is hosting three public meetings this month to inform the
public and accept public comment about its assessment of state-owned
conservation land.
The purpose of the meetings is to present the scientific process used to
assess conservation land managed by state agencies and the results of
that assessment, as well to receive public comment. This follows the
Florida Legislature's directive to conduct an assessment of state-owned
conservation land in order to sell up to $50 million of land no longer
needed for conservation purposes, which will allow for the purchase of
more valuable conservation land.
A technical meeting of stakeholders in July was held to determine what
criteria should be used in assessing conservation land as well as what
weight to give each criteria. The group of experts determined the weight of
65 criteria categories, including the land's value regarding springs, lakes,
rivers, the Floridan Aquifer, hunting and recreational opportunities,
archeological features and marketability.
The Department is hosting three public meetings in August, at which time
the initial list of scored sites will be available:
5-8 p.m. Aug. 21 in Tallahassee, FL
6-8 p.m. Aug. 22 Webinar
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 23 Webinar
In addition, the Department will host regional meetings throughout the
state in order to receive additional comment. Those meetings will be
announced on a new webpage designed to keep the public informed
about this scientifically based assessment of state-owned land.
For more information or to receive email updates, go to
dep.state.fl.us/lands/assessment/default.htm
SWFWMD Springs Instagram Contest
Capture a photo or video while visiting a spring and enter to win a springs
prize pack.

Whether you are tubing, kayaking, swimming or just gazing, summer is a
great time to visit the many springs in our District. And now you can share
those experiences for a chance to win a springs prize pack that includes
tickets to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
Here's how it works:
Shoot a photo or video while visiting any spring.
Upload your photo or video to Instagram and tag it
#RenewOurSprings between July 1 and September 2, 2013.
It's that simple! Users earn one entry for every photo or video tagged.
The details can be found here swfwmd.state.fl.us/springs/contest/
For more information, contact Michele Sager at:
Michele.Sager@WaterMatters.org
September 2013
Pasco County Extension Service
Programs for September 2013
Landscaping with Florida Natives
9/3/13 (Tuesday)
6:30 - 7:40 pm
Come discover how to reduce water usage and the time spent caring for
your garden by incorporating natives into your landscape. This is a FREE
Pasco Extension seminar.
Hudson Library
8012 Library Road (off Fivay Road)
Hudson
Dooryard Citrus 101
9/14/13 (Saturday)
9:00 - 10:30 am
Come gain an understanding of the "do's and dont's" of planting citrus,
basic care, and an introduction to pests and diseases; a brief history of the
Florida citrus industry will be discussed. This FREE Pasco Extension
seminar will be presented by Jamie Burrow, University of Florida citrus
expert.
Land O' Lakes Community Center
5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd. (US 41)
Land O' Lakes
Hydroponics
9/28/13 (Saturday)
10:00 - 11:00 am
Discover secrets to success with growing hydroponically. Basic start-up
equipment and care will be shared. This Pasco Extension seminar is
FREE to the public.
Home Depot
10017 US 19
Port Richey

Photo and Essay Contest:
Life in Pasco Today, 2013
Pasco residents--from kids to adults--are encouraged to take photographs
and/or write essays that capture what life is like in Pasco County today, in
2013. Winning essays and photos will be placed in a time capsule which
will be kept in the East Pasco Government Center. The time capsule is
scheduled to be opened in 2087, the year of Pasco County's Bicentennial.
Thus, all contest entrants will have a chance to have their work viewed by
people almost 75 years from now!
Entries will be judged in three age groups: 6-12, 13-17, and 18 and older.
First place entrants in each age group will receive $75 gift cards; 2nd
place entrants will receive $25 gift cards.
The contest runs from July 1 through October 15, 2013. Please submit
entries along with contact information to
virtualservices@pascolibraries.org. Photos must be submitted in JPEG
format, and essays must be in DOC or PDF format. All entries must be
submitted by 6:00 p.m. on October 15, 2013.
For more information and a complete list of contest rules, please visit the
Pasco County Library System's web site: PascoLibraries.org.
Now Accepting Nominations for
FLERA Annual Awards
The FLERA Board of Directors is pleased to announce initiation of the
nomination process for FLERA's two keystone annual awards.
Nominations will be accepted by e-mail and fax only. Nominations close
on September 1, 2013. Presentations of awards will occur at the FLERA
Awards Luncheon, during the FLERA Annual Conference, on Thursday,
October 24, 2013.
There are two categories of awards:
Rick Wilkins Environmental Leadership Award - established in honor of
Rick Wilkins, this award is open to the environmental professional who
best demonstrates exemplary leadership, integrity and dedication to
service.
Elected Official's Environmental Leadership Award - This award is open to
the elected official at municipal, county, state, or federal office who over
the course of his or her term in service has displayed leadership in
effecting environmental policy.
Nominees will be reviewed by the FLERA Board of Directors, who will
select the two awardees during their quarterly board meeting in
September. Nominees do not need to be members of FLERA for
consideration.
Click here for the Nomination Form

Please feel free to contact Tony D'Aquila at (813) 389-2238 or
flera@tampabay.rr.com if you have any questions about the awards or
the process.
Sea Level Rise Summit 2013
Florida Atlantic University's Center for Environmental Studies will be
hosting Sea Level Rise Summit 2013: Resilience in the Face of Change.
As a follow up to our successful 2012 Sea Level Rise Summit, held at the
Boca Raton Marriott, this year's summit is in partnership with the 2013
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture's (ACSA) 4th Biennial
Subtropical Cities Conference: Braving a New World: Design Interventions
for Changing Climates.
The Sea Level Rise Summit 2013 will be held October 16th & 17th in the
City of Fort Lauderdale. On the evening of the 17th, a joint keynote
speaker will officially open the Subtropical Cities and ACSA Conference
which will continue through to October 19th.
Focusing on the economy and built environment, the Summit will address
the issues professionals face in adapting to sea level rise (SLR) and other
climate change related impacts.
Local, national and international experts will demonstrate best practices
and state of the art research focused on the needs of the following
industries:
The Built Environment: Architects, Planners, Landscape
Architects and Engineers
The Economy: Insurance & Reinsurance, Finance & Real Estate
Panel Sessions will include:
State of the art climate and SLR forecasting and visualization
techniques demonstrating how science is being translated into
practical actionable tools;
Planning for impacts on the built environment:
Examining the issues facing aging and/or vulnerable public
infrastructure such as utilities, electrical grid, water and waste
management;
Addressing the needs of architects, planners and others charged
with designing the built environment in the face of SLR and other
climate change related impacts;
Analysis of policy changes that allow for the building of resilient
communities including barriers to implementation.
Economic implications, including:
Focusing on the critical issues facing the insurance and
reinsurance industries following the two worst years on record for
climate related disasters;
Working to understand how banks and the real estate market will
be affected as vulnerable infrastructure continues to be put at risk;
Examining the regional approach - how can local governments
integrate planning efforts with a holistic regional plan of action that

includes humans and the built environment.
The Sea Level Rise Summit 2013 will also include:
2D and collaborative modeling and digital displays;
Partner museum exhibits; Film screenings of the movie Chasing
Ice;
And joint keynote speakers in partnership with the ACSA &
Subtropical Cities Conference.
Please visit our website
For more information contact:
Mary Beth Hartman, Conference & Outreach Coordinator
Center for Environmental Studies at Florida Atlantic University
Mary Beth Hartman or 561-799-8558
Now Accepting Calendar Photo Submissions!
Photo submission time has arrived for the 2014 Stormwater Environmental
Programs Calendar. We'll be accepting pictures of Hillsborough County
lakes, ponds, and streams. This year, we're going to change things up a
little bit. We've been getting a lot of photos of sunsets and sunrises.
Although these photos show a beautiful array of colors over the water, it's
hard to see the natural colors provided by the waterscape.
This year, we'd like to see photos that show the true colors of the greenery
and flowers growing along the edge of the waterbody. Show how these
natural elements reflect off and accent the water. How they provide
wonderful backdrops for your wildlife viewing. And how they beautify the
waterside.
Send your high resolution, digital photo to AragonJ@
HillsboroughCounty.org. Include the photographers name, the name of
the waterbody, and a brief title for the photo. If yours is selected for the
calendar, we'll notify you by email. Submitted photos may also be used in
future publications. The deadline to submit your photo is August 22, 2013.
Panther sightings reported throughout Florida
The public has reported hundreds of sightings of Florida panthers to the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website
launched a year ago, where people can record when and where they saw
a panther or its tracks.
As of August 2013, the public had submitted 790 sightings to
MyFWC.com/PantherSightings.
Only 12 percent of the reports included a photograph and could be
evaluated by Commission biologists. Of those with photos, the majority
were confirmed as panthers. Other animals identified by FWC biologists
were bobcats, foxes, coyotes, dogs, house cats and even a monkey. Most
often the reported animal or tracks belonged to a bobcat, when it was not
a panther. The verified panther reports were largely confined to southwest

Florida, the well-documented breeding range for panthers in the state.
There also were several verified sightings in south central Florida.
"The public's willingness to share what they have seen or collected on
game cameras is incredibly helpful and shows us where panthers
presumably are roaming in Florida," said Darrell Land, who heads the
FWC's panther team. "We thank everyone using the Report Florida
Panther Sightings website and encourage others to participate in this
citizen-science venture."
"As the population of this endangered species grows, the FWC expects
more Florida panthers to be seen in areas of the state where they have
not lived for decades," Land said. "To properly plan and manage for the
expansion of the panther's range in Florida, information about where the
panthers are is vital."
The FWC has a new "E-Z guide to identify panther tracks" available at
FloridaPantherNet.org.
The Florida panther population is estimated to be 100 to 160 adults and
yearlings, a figure that does not include panther kittens. As recently as the
1970s, the Florida panther was close to disappearing, with as few as 20
animals in the wild.
Learn more about Florida panthers at FloridaPantherNet.org.
Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful presents the 26th Annual Hillsborough River &
Coastal Cleanup followed by the Rollin' on the River Rally on September
21st, 2013 at Lowry Park (7525 N. Blvd, Tampa).
We are currently looking for sponsors of the event and Site Captains to
lead groups of volunteers. Locations are determined by Site Captain
participation and will be posted on our website after August 1st.
The cleanup begins at 9:00 am at various sites along the Hillsborough
River, Alafia River, Tampa Bay and other waterways. Volunteers are
invited back to Lowry Park for the Rollin' on the River Rally from 12:00 pm
to 2:00 pm which includes recycling drives, live music, picnic lunch,
games, environmental educational booths and exhibits.
Volunteers are welcome to enjoy this free party to say thank you for all
you do to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful!
Recycle Regatta
The Recycle Regatta will challenge participants to construct a watercraft
from at least 70% recycled materials. Teams will launch from Lowry Park
Boat Ramp and race it over a 50-yard course on the Hillsborough River
providing a hilarious competition for the spectators to enjoy. High School,
College and Corporate teams must register in advance by contacting
Daisy at dpacker@keeptbb.org or (813) 221-8733.

Gopher Tortoise Grants Available
The Gopher Tortoise Council is seeking applicants for the Donna J.
Heinrich Environmental Education Grant, which was established to
support educators and organizations committed to developing educational
projects about the gopher tortoise and the fascinating world in which it
lives. The grant also honors Donna June Heinrich, an environmental
educator, whose life was dedicated to conserving wildlife and their
associated habitats.
Deadline for 2013 applications is August 31; a maximum of $2,000 per
grant is awarded. Applications may be downloaded from the web site
gophertortoisecouncil.org. On the left hand side of the page click
"Grants Program" and scroll down. Applications which contain the
following will be given preference:
Projects that reach diverse and new audiences
Projects that focus on the importance of the conservation of intact
upland ecosystems
Projects that encourage community involvement
Projects that have matching funds
For questions, please contact George L. Heinrich at
george@heinrichecologicalservices.com
USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to
Create Jobs, Economic Opportunity in Rural Areas
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for grants that will be awarded
to organizations to help rural businesses create jobs and spur economic
development. USDA is making $5.6 million available through the Rural
Community Development Initiative (RCDI), a program that generates
economic activity in rural areas.
"This funding will help local and regional organizations as they assist small
and emerging businesses," Vilsack said. "The Obama Administration
recognizes small businesses as the engines of job creation and essential
to strengthening our national economy."
Strengthening the rural economy remains a main focus of USDA, despite
budget uncertainties. Qualified intermediary organizations receiving the
grants will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to
develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facilities, or
community and economic development projects. Recipients will be nonprofit
organizations, low income rural communities, or federally recognized
tribes. Intermediary organizations must provide matching funds at least
equal to the RCDI grant. Funds are not directly provided to business
recipients by USDA under the program.
The deadline for submitting RCDI applications is November 12, 2013.
Applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development state
office where the applicant's headquarters are located. A list of these
offices is available on the USDA Rural Development website. For more
information, see the August 14, 2013 Federal Register at
gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-14/pdf/2013-19773.pdf.

RCDI brings economic opportunity to rural areas. For example, in 2012,
NC REAL Enterprises in North Carolina, received a grant for its "Growing
Small Businesses in Rural North Carolina" project. NC REAL Enterprises
provides entrepreneurship education to a network of more than 300
certified facilitators (teachers and civic leaders) who, in turn, provide
courses to individuals seeking to transition to an entrepreneurial small
business career. Over a two-year period, RCDI funding is expected to
provide business education and training to at least 2,000 individuals
participating in this project; help start 40 new businesses; and improve the
capacity of 20 existing businesses.
Secretary Vilsack said that today's announcement is another reminder of
the importance of USDA programs for rural America. A comprehensive
new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy,
Vilsack added, saying that's just one reason why Congress must get a
comprehensive Bill done as soon as possible.
President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic
investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the
President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities,
businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue
leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural
communities.
USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that
stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal
resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the
government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working
families in rural communities.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of
programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities,
businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life
in rural America. USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for
the American people, even as the Department implements sequestration -
the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the
Budget Control Act.
USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more
than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense
budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to
carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a
fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.
Reduce Your Personal Pollution
Florida's environment and its economy are intricately tied. Water is why people come here. Clean water brings visitors who
are critical to our businesses. Water quality can directly impact your property values. Water pollution is the ultimate job killer
in Florida. We all must do are part to protect this important resource. Help Florida and your economy by reducing your
personal pollution.

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