Next Steps Collective

2010 Wildflower Symposium Sept 25

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:22:15 +0000

The Florida Wildflower Foundation’s (FWF) 2010 Wildflower Symposium and Plant Sale on Sept. 25 will feature presentations on flowering native shrubs for landscapes, butterfly and pollinator plants, using wildflowers in landscapes, and wildflower advocacy. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs headquarters, 1400 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park.

A native plant and seed sale will be held concurrently and silent auction will offer seed mixes, plants, gardening utensils and ornaments, books and art up for bids. Proceeds from the event will benefit native wildflower research, planting and education.

Register on-line by Sept 18 to reserve your box lunch. Vendor plant lists are also available for pre-ordering many native species.

On-line Fla Wildflower Seed Store Just Right for Fall Planting

Cindy Liberton — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:26:33 +0000

The Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative is pleased to announce completion of an on-line gateway to the Cooperative’s products. Seed is available by the packet for small plantings as well as in bulk for major endeavors. You can visit the Seed Store at http://www.floridawildflowers.com/

Roadside plantings bring attention to Florida's wildflowers

The Cooperative represents a group of Florida wildflower producers who work in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Wildflower Foundation to develop strategies to increase Florida’s native plant acreage and seed production to better meet the demand for native species.

Purchasing seed from the Cooperative supports the efforts of our state’s growers, which in turn helps improve the supply and quality of native seed.

“Life on the Edge” Nature Coast Exhibit opens in Sarasota

Cindy Liberton — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:15:41 +0000

Starting August 27, Eric Zamora’s conservation photography exhibit on the story of Florida’s Nature Coast will be featured at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Life on the Edge tells the story of the vast region from St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge near Tallahassee, to northern Pasco County, covering 240 miles of Florida’s Nature Coast. The exhibit reveals a landscape where a sparse human population lives and works within the greater context of the natural world. Zamora’s focus is the importance of understanding the potential impacts of development and industry on these remaining natural areas, and using our wisdom to preserve the area.

Says Zamora, “My conservation photography project Life on the Edge (LOTE) uses the visual power of photography, and the collective energy of individual and institutional partnerships, to share the story of Florida’s Nature Coast with the goal of helping to mold a sustainable future for all.”

Friday, August 27, 2010, the University will host a reception opening the exhibit from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear Zamora’s observations regarding the past, present and future of the Nature Coast.

Eric Zamora capture the natural beauty of Florida's Nature Coast

Read more at the LOTE Web page: http://www.ericzamora.com/conservation/life-on-the-edge.html
USF event announcement: http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/news/?p=60

Sign Up for the Tampa Riverwalk for Dads

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:05:45 +0000

Take a stroll with Dad on Father’s Day weekend to help end prostate cancer. The Inaugural 2K Riverwalk for Dads is Saturday, June 19th at 9:00 a.m. along the Tampa Riverwalk in Downtown Tampa. The walk begins and ends at the Tampa Bay History Center on Channelside Dr. right next to the St. Pete Times Forum.

100% of all proceeds will benefit the Advanced Prostate Cancer Collaboration (APCC) being conducted by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa. For $20 adults, $10 kids, you get a hot breakfast from Columbia Cafe, entertainment, and support research to help all Dads live long healthy lives.

“Imagining A New Florida” Documentary

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:39:38 +0000

“Imagining a New Florida” airs starting May 13, 2010 on most Florida PBS stations. This series of four regional documentaries looks at how our car-dependent lifestyle amid sprawl development is causing social isolation, as well as taking a toll on the environment and the pocketbook. It also explores how Floridians might chart a new path towards sustainable growth and a better quality of life. For more info and the broadcast schedule, see the media kit provided by the Florida Humanities Council.

Sometimes the Story Leaks Out

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:11:54 +0000

We think this meter speaks for itself. Here in Florida, our coastal ecosystems are looking down the barrels, so to speak. Let’s see. About 1.5% of US daily oil consumption is currently escaping into the Gulf. Another fun fact: If we drilled in Florida’s Coastal region, we’d get about one week’s worth of US consumption total, roughly 155,000,000 barrels (see http://www.nationmaster.com/country/us-united-states/ene-energy). So in about 74 days, should the leak hold steady, we can waste more oil than Florida can drill.

Florida’s Springs are Dying: Take Action

Cindy Liberton — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:20:51 +0000

From the steps of the State Capitol, John Moran challenges the Florida Legislature to act to protect the state’s unique freshwater springs. His speech at the Florida Springs Rally reveals his sense of loss at the changes he’s seen. As he speaks, a collection of Moran’s springs photography illustrates the beauty and degradation he has witnessed over the past 30 years.

Experience this 12-minute video, and forward it to a friend. Click here to tell the Florida Legislature we need meaningful springs protection now.

Foes Target Growth Laws

Cindy Liberton — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:02:25 +0000

From Jane Healey’s ‘Feet to the Fire’ column:
As legislators prepare for next year’s session, those in favor of weakening growth laws have started lurking the halls. Already, there are warning signs of what might come.

Danger No. 1: The big boys are at it again.
If you thought that development pressure was on the wane because Florida is terribly overbuilt, with one of the nation’s highest foreclosure rates, think again.

Danger No. 2: Legislators attack the one backstop.
The one thing Florida has done right when it comes to managing growth is having a strong state planning agency that can put the brakes on outrageous projects that local elected officials lap up.

Danger No. 3: Misjudging the threat of Hometown Democracy.
There’s one reason developments like Destiny and Farmton are in such a rush: so they can get approved before voters weigh in on Hometown Democracy this fall.

Read The Full Article at OrlandoSentinel.com

Resources for Non-profits and Socially Responsible Business

Cindy Liberton — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:50:57 +0000

As we go along, we are identifying and compiling resources to help our partners navigate the changing world of web-presence and social marketing. This page features links to recommended reading.

Assess Your Website
This worksheet allows you to check for features that improve the quality of websites at no cost except attention to detail.

Brief Glossary of Internet Terminology
This cheat sheet defines some key terms relevant to discussions on electronic dissemination and web design.

Resource Links and Ten Point Check List for Non-Profit Websites
This is a two-page tool kit for improving your website. It features links to recommended tools, galleries of good and bad sites, and articles on topics such as “how much you should pay for a website.”

The Current Universe of Social Media Tools
This diagram helps demystify the purpose of popular tools and sites for all aspects of Social Networking.

Selecting a Content Management System for your Non-Profit Website
This section of a more extensive report by Idealware, a non-profit organization that provides Consumer Reports-style articles to help nonprofits choose effective software.

Crist Slips On Oil

William Tillis — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Photo Credit: mikebaird

Slow the Rush to Oil Drilling
Florida’s decades-old ban on oil and gas drilling in nearshore waters has been under siege since spring when a shadowy group of oilmen tried to rush a sweetheart deal through the Legislature in the final weeks of the 2009 Regular Session. The oilmen are still at it – spending millions on campaign contributions, public relations and lobbying.

Now they are trying to get the issue considered in a special October session of the Legislature. We thought we could count on Governor Charlie Crist to hold the line on drilling, but he has slipped again.

This is how the Lakeland Ledger describes special sessions:
“Special sessions are traditionally limited to a few topics that lawmakers have largely agreed upon in secret. But they are also opportunities for controversial issues to be rammed through without the horse-trading and white noise that accompanies a regular session when hundreds of bills are being debated.”
Read More at: AudubonAction.org