<HTML dir=ltr><HEAD><TITLE>Re: [PCA] NEWS: Wildflower rescue groups often operate onestepahead of developer bulldozers</TITLE>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16608" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV id=idOWAReplyText59842 dir=ltr>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Thank you, Paul, for a reasonable response. Following is a link to an invasive plant educational program which is targeting upper elementary thru high school students. It equips teachers with all kinds of tools to teach about native biodiversity and invasive plants. I know there are other programs underway in different areas of the U.S.: </FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><A href="http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education/">http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education/</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=idSignature63600 dir=ltr>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Karen Brown</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>University of Florida | IFAS</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>~and~</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Editor, Wildland Weeds magazine</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>~~~~~~~~~~~~</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>7922 NW 71st Street | </FONT><FONT size=2>Gainesville, FL 32653</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>352.392.1799 | (Fax) 352.392.3462</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><A href="mailto:kpbrown@ufl.edu"><FONT face=Arial>kpbrown@ufl.edu</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial> | </FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><A href="http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/">http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><BR>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> native-plants-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org on behalf of Fuhrmann, Paul<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wed 3/5/2008 10:38 AM<BR><B>To:</B> Adolf Ceska; Olivia Kwong; native-plants@lists.plantconservation.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [PCA] NEWS: Wildflower rescue groups often operate onestepahead of developer bulldozers<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<P><FONT size=2>Saving, salvage, recycling, re-use are all good components of any<BR>project planning/design. There are many "so-called environmental<BR>firms" that are adept in circumventing regulatory compliance which<BR>usually results in a 'scorched earth approach' to site preparation<BR>unless stakeholders can influence resource protection/restoration<BR>decisions during the permitting process. In many US regions, project<BR>site clearing and grubbing activities involves marketing saw logs, fire<BR>wood, topsoil and anything else of value. That precludes any plant or<BR>soil 'salvage' unless it is in the permit specs.<BR><BR>Other environmental consultants will engage stakeholders to work with<BR>developer and regulators to address (all) resource issues prior to<BR>permitting. Most projects have regional and site specific plant<BR>community issues that require a diversity of experience on the project<BR>team to define saving, salvaging, harvest, preservation, and mitigation<BR>for resource losses. Those concepts have many meanings and are viewed<BR>as obstacles to most developers. <BR><BR>Agree totally that primary school age humans (pre teen) are most<BR>reachable and the hope for better understanding of the value (economic<BR>and spiritual) of the natural world, 'saving', preservation,<BR>restoration, mitigation, etc. For now adults need to pressure their<BR>local governance and regulators for better land use planning. Resource<BR>minded people need to become part of the project design process early<BR>and often and not let development or governmental pressure drive project<BR>planning or design.<BR><BR>Paul R. Fuhrmann<BR>ecology and environment, inc.<BR>368 Pleasantview Drive<BR>Lancaster, New York 14086<BR>Tel. 716 6848060 ext. 2876<BR>Fax. 716 684 0844<BR>www.ene.com<BR><BR></FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>