conservation committee
--- On Fri, 5/30/08, Wildcritters99@aol.com 

    From: Wildcritters99@aol.com <Wildcritters99@aol.com>
    Subject: Hernando Audubon Society Conservation Update
    To: Wildcritters99@aol.com
    Date: Friday, May 30, 2008, 9:16 AM

    Hey Y'all,
    
    Hello and hope all is well with you!  I wanted to give folks a quick update on where we are going next with our Hernando Aububon Society Conservation Committee and Program efforts.  I have to confess I have been pretty swamped with work (no pun intended) and am working to revive and refocus some of our efforts.
    
    We'll be having a Hernando Audubon Society Conservation Committee meeting in mid to late June (TBD) and we'll get folks info on that ASAP.  We'll meet on a regular basis over the summer and into the fall.
    
    In terms of issues that are shaping up to be ones we will be wading into and working on here is partial list.
    
    -Quarry Preserve DRI (sprawl and wildlife habitat issues)
    -Keeping the USDA property in north central Hernando County in public ownership
    -Springs protection efforts and a Hernando County fertilizer use ordinance
    -Developing our work to support sandhill and scrub education and restoration via our work with scrub jays and the West Central Florida Uplands Working Group
    -Supporting the County's ESL Program
    -Working with our partners in the Gulf Coast Conservancy on their efforts to protect and expand coastal habitat for bears
    -Developing an "Adopt a Decision Maker" program to develop better communication with our Commissoners and our Hernando County Legislative Delegation
    
    I'll be out of the office and unavailable (unable to access email or voicemail) until Sunday June 8th.  When I get back let's get the ball rolling with our summer conservation efforts and protect the Nature Coast!
    
    Joe Murphy
    Hernando Audubon Society
    352-583-0870



 In the next week, the Senate will cast a historic vote on critically important legislation to reduce global warming pollution.

    I am writing to ask you and your chapter members to contact your Senators now and urge them to strengthen and pass the Climate Security Act, S 3036 (formerly S 2191).

    Audubon believes that global warming is the most serious threat to the environment in human history. There is no greater threat to birds and wildlife and to the future we all want to pass on to our children and grandchildren.

    The most important thing Congress can do right now is pass strong legislation that starts us on the path to a cleaner, more secure energy future. The most important thing you can do to protect wildlife and the environment is to call your Senators.

    Here are some simple steps.

    1.  Make the Call.

    Call your senators (Not sure who they are? See the list below) via the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senator’s office.  The operator will connect you. Leave a simple message with whomever answers the phone. (If you want to leave a more detailed message, we have provided additional talking points below.)

    2.  Here’s the Message.

    I am [your name] from [city, state] and I am calling Senator _____ to ask him/her to strengthen and pass the Climate Security Act.  Passing this bill is critical to solving global warming, creating jobs, saving consumers money and providing energy independence.

    3. Tell How Us it Goes.

    After you make your call, use the quick and easy form at http://audubonaction.org/campaign/s3036report to tell us what you learned! This information can really help us keep tabs on where the votes are. This legislation is likely to be debated over several days, so every little bit helps!

    

    4. Pass it On.

    Please let your chapter members and others in your community know about this critical vote! Every call counts, we need everyone's help.

    Please take a few moments to make these calls.  We have every facet of Audubon pulling together to get a strong vote. The work of Audubon chapters and volunteers across the country has helped get us to this historic vote and your help now will make all the difference.

    Want more information?

    Here are some expanded talking points you can use:

    1. Global warming is an urgent issue that requires immediate action.

    The Climate Security Act (S 3036) puts America on the path to cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 60 percent by 2050.

    2.  The most important thing Congress can do this year is to strengthen and pass the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act.

    We must ensure that the bill is not weakened by providing excessive giveaways and assistance to polluters.

    3.   The Climate Security Act will not only will take important steps to solve global warming, but it will create hundreds of thousands of new, clean energy jobs, save consumers billions of dollars and provide energy independence.

        *
          Addresses impacts to consumers, especially low- and middle-income families and helps build a clean energy future.
        *
          Creates new jobs and stable sources of fuel to power America’s economy.
        *
          Helps protect America's habitat and wildlife from climate changes that cannot be avoided.

    We expect debate and votes to start on Monday, June 2nd and they will extend into the week.  Your efforts are timely and much appreciated.

    Thank you for taking the time to contact your Senators and passing this message to others in your chapter and your community.  Together we can make a real difference in what I consider to be the biggest challenge of our generation.  Thank you again for all you do for Audubon.

    Most sincerely,

    John Flicker

    President

    National Audubon Society


    Senators by State   

    Florida: Mel Martinez, Bill Nelson