If you'd like to be added to our email list to be advised when we're having an event, that may be the likes of a talk at the library, fund raiser or a river/creek clean-up, please send us an email to northportfowl@gmail.com so we can add you to our list. We do not share your contact information. FYI, typically our talks take place October - April.
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January 20th, 2021 at 6pm NPFOWL will be sponsoring a talk by Matt Miller titled "Ecologic Corridors as a Tool for Smart Growth ". This will be facilitated by the Shannon Staub Library. Be sure to register and here's the link to do so:
https://scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/north-port-friends-wildlife-lecture-series-live-0
According to Matt, there are numerous tools in the tool belt that stakeholders can implement to ensure the sustainable protection of our natural resources. The tools may include federal, state and local regulations, land acquisition, and land management which should complement each other to effectively maximize their benefit.
Pasco County is the first County in the state to implement an Ecologic Corridor Ordinance. This ordinance was developed to provide connection between large tracts of publicly owned lands. In support of the ordinance, the County conducted numerous studies to identify locations, species utilizing the corridors, an applicable width specific to each corridor, among other information.
Ecologic corridors are an important topic for local projects in North Port along with statewide discussions on Florida Department of Transportation, M-CORES (Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance) projects.
Matthew P. Miller, P.W.S. is the Environmental Manager at Water Resource Associates, Inc. (WRA), located in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Miller has worked in both the public and private sectors in Central and Southwest Florida managing a variety of environmental projects including the regional approval of a 3,500-acre master planned development which included 1,100 acres of regionally, ecologically significant wetland mitigation. Mr. Miller is a Professional Wetland Scientists (P.W.S.) with the Society of Wetland Scientists and is authorized to survey and relocate gopher tortoises through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).