Wildwood Preservation Society has the support of families who have lived in the Wildwood neighborhood for three generations as well as individuals and organizations concerned about Fred George Basin from throughout Leon County and across the country.
A non-profit 501-(c)(4) all-volunteer project of the
Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good.
The Wildwood Preservation Society
Dedicated to protecting the Fred George Basin and our rural way of life from reckless development that threatens to:
* Increase flooding and traffic
* Contaminate our drinking water with runoff pollutants
* Contaminate our wells with cancer causing radon emissions
* Violate the comprehensive plan
* Endanger threatened wildlife and ruin ecosystems
SAVE
Fred George Basin
Wildwood Preservation Society is working with developers, property owners, conservation groups and public officials to place the last remaining 'core' or 'heart' of Fred George Basin into conservation.
On February 13th, 2007 the Leon County Commission voted unanimously to secure Blueprint 2000 funding to acquire all subject properties for purposes of conservation. In addition county staff were directed to submit a Florida Communities Trust Grant application seeking matched funds. Minutes from the meeting are available by clicking here and viewing Agenda Item #28.
The Leon County-City of Tallahassee Blueprint 2000 Intergovernmental Agency agreed February 26th, 2007 to pursue funding for the entire Fred George Basin conservation project. The unanimous vote followed two County Commission decisions that were also rendered without dissent, and initiates the process to move the Fred George project from Tier 2 to Tier 1 priority for funding, with up to $2.75 million earmarked for the purchase.
Conserving these parcels protects aquifer recharge area and therefore the Fred George Sink. Additionally, it allows for the planned building of the storm water mitigation infrastructure facility needed to treat storm water prior to its entering the Fred George Sink/Upper Floridan Aquifer (Blueprint 2000 Map 1: Fred George and Ochlockonee River Basins) and the City of Tallahassee drinking water supply (Bruce Ritchie citing Brian Katz, USGS).
Multiple listed species have been located on the site and depend on the health of the Fred George Basin for their survival: Wood Stork, Gopher Tortoise, Little Blue Heron and White Ibis. Many others are likely. Their habitat will be preserved.
Uplands and disturbed areas close to Fred George Road and Capital Circle have potential for hiking trails or other low impact recreational opportunities compatible with conservation, needed by the citizens of the community.
Great Blue Heron in Fred George Basin July 3, 2006. Photo taken within property once threatened by development, now slated for conservation.
Endangered Wood Stork in Fred George Basin, May 2008.
Fred George Basin’s newest residents, May 2008.
Summer 2008 Update
The Ochlockonee South aka Wildwood Rookery is in the midst of one of the most active mating seasons in recent memory! Numerous hatchlings like those in the photo above have recently been spotted among the already robust population. With South Florida colonies like the critically important Corkscrew Swamp on the decline , the conservation of fragile habitat in places like Fred George Basin is more urgent than ever.
On May 18th, WPS founder Misty Penton led a tour of Fred George Basin that was attended by county officials, wildlife photographers and concerned citizens. Our pictures section contains tons of newly added photos from the excursion courtesy Richard Baas and Joe Bonislawsky. We invite photo comments. Thank you Richard and Joe!
On May 6th Wildwood Preservation Society founder Misty Penton visited Magnolia School to share information about Fred George Basin and Wood Storks with the elementary school. The visit follows an earlier field trip when the middle school actually got to tour the Wood Stork rookery and hike a trail through the greenway. Misty talked with the students about the importance of land conservation and sustainability and showed them pictures of the endangered Wood Storks who depend on the basin for nesting and foraging. She also screened the movie based on Dr. Seuss’s famous story, The Lorax, which depicts the dire consequences of unchecked growth and consumerism. She asked the students what we can do to help. They said we should only use what we need and everyone should plant a tree. Great advice. Thanks to Magnolia students for their offers to volunteer to help preserve the Fred George Basin.
Wildwood Preservation Society commissioned a water quality study of Fred George Pond, seen in the photo above and located within the area slated for conservation. Sean McGlynn of McGlynn Laboratories conducted the report, which reads in part “Fred George Pond has very good water quality. It can be considered near pristine or oligotrophic by most limnological metrics. This pond is located at 30o 29’3675â€N and 84 o 21’1532â€W in Leon County Florida, in a karst area known as the Fred George Basin. Much of the Fred George Basin is considered a lake.†The field data describes fish jumping in the pond along with 4 wood storks, 2 white egrets, and 1 little blue heron having been present during the course of data collection. The WPS Fred George Pond Water Quality Report may be viewed in full by clicking here .
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WPS is excited to have our fabulous new intern Stephanie Poulk aboard. Among the initiatives Stephanie has taken includes reporting listed species sightings in Fred George Basin to the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) . Thank you Stephanie!
Wildwood Preservation Society has become the newest member of The Florida Endangered Species Network (FESN) . The Florida Endangered Species Network is a collection of organizations that share a common goal of protecting Florida's imperiled wildlife and plants.
Our founder Misty Penton was recently nominated to serve the remainder of Thure Caire’s term on the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District Board. The mission of the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District Board is to annually assess the condition of the soils and waters, both above and below ground, in Leon County; to educate the public about the state of the soils and waters; to educate the public about conservation practices which will enhance the conditions of the soils and waters; and to promote and advocate conservation practices and policies which will benefit the soils and waters of the County. Misty’s seat is set to expire, so if you are in Leon County please vote Misty to a full term in November!
WPS founding members Damien Filer and Jon Bleyer have joined the newly launched Progress Florida . Progress Florida is a nonprofit organization that promotes progressive values through online organizing, media outreach, and networking with Florida's leading progressive organizations. Issues include economic fairness, social justice, health care reform, environmental protection, great public schools and more. Click here to check out NPR's June 5th coverage of Progress Florida's ongoing campaign to save the Everglades from encroaching development (and thanks to all of you who signed the petition thus far!).
On Saturday, February 16th the FSU Environmental Service Program led a wildly successful Fred George Sink cleanup. Volunteers toiled hours to remove hundreds of pounds of trash and debris from the area around Fred George Sink, which feeds into the Floridan Aquifer and the City of Tallahassee drinking water supply. Thanks to the ESP and everyone who pitched in!
And in case you missed it, on January 15th, 2008 the Leon County Commission voted unanimously to approve the grant agreement with Florida Communites Trust awarding $2.4 million to finalize acquisition of Fred George Basin Greenway. Only 20 out of 118 grant applications from all parts of Florida received funding from this program, and the Fred George Basin Greenway was ranked 5th among these top 20 projects. The Fred George Basin Greenway will provide Leon County cleaner water, flood control, precious wildlife habitat, recreation for our citizens, and a priceless gift for our future generations.
Once the Fred George Basin Greenway is open to the public, WPS will provide archaeological services, water evaluation testing, public education classes and onsite wildlife data collection. Commitments are already in place to provide community classes from professionals in the fields of: archaeology and cultural history of the area; native wildlife-biological diversity in natural environments; endangered species (focus on Wood Stork and Gopher Tortoise) and their habitats; ecology and geology of sinkhole (Karst) terrain. Classes will be held at Fred George Basin Greenway Park on the first Saturday of each month.
Wildwood Preservation Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit effort. Thanks to all of our supporters, volunteers and coalition members. Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Florida Audubon Society
Environment Florida
1000 Friends of Florida
The Habitat Trust for Wildlife
Cornwall's Voice For Animals
Heart of the Earth
Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District
Blueprint 2000
Leon County Commission
Apalachee Audubon Society (local Audubon Chapter)
Friends of Lake Jackson
Lake Jackson Protection Alliance
FSU Environmental Service Program
Big Bend Sierra Club
Wildwood Neighborhood
Erin Brockovich
State Rep. Loranne Ausley
State Sen. Al Lawson
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bill Brooks, Fish and Wildlife Biologist
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Letter in support of Fred George Basin Greenway acquisition
May 3, 2007. Excerpt:
"Throughout its range in the Southeast U.S., wood storks are dependent upon wetlands for breeding and foraging. Short and long hydroperiod wetlands continue to be lost to residential and commercial development and urbanization. Preventing loss of wood stork nesting habitat and foraging wetlands within a colony's core foraging area is a high priority for the recovery of this species."
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
Letter to Leon County and City of Tallahassee Commissioners
February 12, 2007. Excerpt:
"This project will not only ensure that Tallahassee residents continue to have safe and clean drinking water, but will also protect numerous fragile ecosystems and endangered and threatened species. Additionally, the creation of the Fred George Basin Greenway will reduce traffic and school overcrowding in an area of high development."
Wildwood Preservation Society
Stakeholders’ 156 Acre Acquisition Option Recommendation/Settlement
December 5, 2006. Excerpt:
"The Leon County Commission has an opportunity to safeguard one of our most critical natural assets by acquiring 156 acres in Fred George Basin for perpetual conservation, storm water mitigation, and water quality treatment purposes. This land acquisition has unprecedented support with developers, landowners, neighbors, Leon County, Blueprint 2000, public policy groups representing almost 100,000 supporters, and elected officials all working together to protect these parcels for future generations."
The Habitat Trust for Wildlife
Leeona Klippstein, Executive Director
December 4, 2006. Excerpt:
"As honorable County Commissioners, you must make a fully informed decision...why not focus on conservation? Numerous conservation organizations locally and nationally are watching what you are doing. Even the local media recognizes the importance of your decision-making. Be conservation heroes!! No one wants to spend time and money on litigation of a development project. If the County supports development of the parcels, such destruction will be in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and others. Litigation in the courts goes on for many years. So please, just support giving time to finding a way to conserve the area."
Florida Wildlife Federation
Preston T. Robertson, Vice-President/General Counsel
September 28, 2006. Excerpt:
"On behalf of the 50,000 members and supporters of the Florida Wildlife Federation, I write to express our strong support for the perpetual conservation and protection of the Fred George Basin. This 160 acre tract northwest of Tallahassee contributes to our water quality, as well as serving as much-needed habitat for many species of plants and animals, particularly the rare wood stork, our only native stork."
Rep. Loranne Ausley
Florida House of Representatives, District 09-D. Excerpt:
"The Wildwood Preservation Society (WPS), a project of the 501 (c) (4) non-profit Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good (ACCG) has worked with the Ochlocknee River Soil and Water Conservation District (ORSWCD) to bring attention to the sensitive areas, including endangered species habitat, on these parcels. In July 2006, ORSWCD passed a resolution to support conservation of sensitive areas in the Fred George Basin. I am pleased to join the ORSWCD and Audubon of Florida in lending my support to this vital conservation effort in our area."
Loranne Ausley is serving in her third term in the Florida House of Representatives. Her district includes most of Tallahassee and a part of adjoining Jefferson County.
Environment Florida
Submitted letter of support August, 2006.
Environment Florida is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Their professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for Florida's environment. Environment Florida draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state's top environmental problems.
1000 Friends of Florida
Submitted letter of support August, 2006.
1000 Friends of Florida promotes healthy urban and natural places by wise management of growth and change. They educate, advocate, negotiate and, when necessary, litigate to protect our high quality of life.
Florida Audubon Society
Eric Draper, Policy Director
July 19, 2006. Excerpt:
"Florida Audubon (is) pleased to hear of the opportunity to place parcels 21-08-20-602-000, 21-08-20-606-0000, and 21-08-20-604-0000 within the Fred George Basin into conservation status. The unique ecological niche that these parcels encompass includes multiple layers of rare plant and animal species, aquifer recharge, storm water attenuation and flood protection...We...encourage the Commission to support the protection of this land."
Blueprint 2000
Dave Bright, Planning Manager
July 19, 2006. Excerpt:
"The Bluprint 2000 and Beyond Project Definitions Report does identify this area for protection. The narrative for Blueprint Map 1: Fred George and Ochlockonee River Basins, describes the project as follows: Storm water. Acquisition of Fred George Sink and much of the undeveloped portions of the Fred George Closed Basin will preserve groundwater quality in the area. *A wet detention pond is proposed to be constructed within the Fred George Basin to ensure that storm water entering the sink has been treated."
Apalachee Audubon Society (local Audubon Chapter)
Eric Draper, Conservation Chair
July 19, 2006. Excerpt:
"The Wood Stork is listed by Florida and the Federal government as endangered. A colony of several dozen nesting pairs can be found foraging on this property. They depend upon the health of the Fred George Basin for survival... We consider this land to be a very high priority for the uses of water quality Blueprint 2000 funds and therefore encourage the Commission to support the protection of this land."
Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District
Resolution in support of conserving Fred George Basin
July 7, 2006
The following resolution was adopted unanimously by the ORSWCD. WPS would like to thank Thure Caire and Sean McGlynn.
Fred George Basin Resolution
Regarding the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation Districts interest in the future of parcels 21-08-20-602-0000, 21-08-20-606-0000, 21-08-20-604-0000 within the Fred George Basin.
Whereas, The mission of the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District includes promoting and advocating conservation practices and policies which will benefit the soil and water of Leon County.
Whereas, conservation of the listed parcels will provide permanent areas important for flood mitigation, flood prevention and aquifer recharge.
Whereas, conservation of the listed parcels will protect habitat of endangered species including, but not limited to, the American Wood Stork and Gopher Tortoise.
Whereas, neighbors, property owners, and developers have currently reached agreement for the need to protect the sensitive area through conservation.
The Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District resolves to support the use of the listed parcels for conservation.
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