Minutes of Last MAG Meetings
Dinner at South Beach,
Maurice Barancik
MANGROVE ACTION GROUP ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
MAY 17th, 2023 @ 1:30PM
PELICAN BAY COMMUNITY CENTER
MAY 17th, 2023 @ 1:30PM
PELICAN BAY COMMUNITY CENTER
CALL TO ORDER, QUORUM DETERMINATION AND PLEDGE: President Tom Sabourin
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Sabourin, Linda Roth, Louise Dowd, Mary Johnson, Ted Raia, Fil Raia, Peter Duggan and Mary Vance Duggan
SPEAKER, GUESTS: None invited.
MINUTES OF APRIL 19, 2023: All approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Reported by Tom Sabourin as unchanged since 3/31/23 with balance of $18,854.82 and two checks outstanding totaling $211.25.
REPORTS, UPDATES, DISCUSSION
BIRD BOXES: Tom reported on the berm walk he arranged with Brian Beckner, owner and operator of Native Bird Boxes, Inc. Peter and Louise also participated in the walk. Brian has submitted a proposal to MAG for the installation of 8 boxes at selected locations at a cost of $1100 plus an annual maintenance charge of $850. Tom suggested we could start with something smaller. Other related issues discussed were what permissions would be required and the possibility of getting financial assistance from the Foundation.
Motion Moved and Seconded by Mary Johnson and Ted Raia: To contact the Foundation to put six bird boxes along the berm in selective locations as recommended by Brian Beckner of Native Bird Boxes, Inc.
President Tom Sabourin will contact Foundation Board member Susan Levine for assistance in going to the Foundation to ask for help with the Bird Box project.
COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT STATUS AND ACTIONS: The purpose of the US Army Corps of Engineers Feasibility Study is to identify coastal storm flood areas at risk and to find sensible solutions to remediate problems in these areas. Recently released updated documents by the Corps indicate that a deadline of July 7th has been set for receiving public comments about the plan. We are reminded to circulate letters individually advocating for more nature based and locally preferred solutions before plans are finalized.
MAG PO BOX: Tom will set up a new box to receive MAG mail. There will be two keys for access.
SIGNATORIES ON MAG CHECKING ACCOUNT: Tom, Sabourin Louise Dowd, John Adams, as Treasurer, and Nancy Lewis will replace Peter, Linda and Ted as signatories. These people will have a meeting to effect the transition.
WEBSITE ANNUAL BILLING: Tom asked that all Board members familiarize themselves with the website and comment on how to maximize its use. We learned that it is ably handled by Nancy. A Web Host fee is paid.
2023/2024 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
President Tom Sabourin, Vice President Louise Dowd, Treasurer John Adams, Secretary Nancy Lewis, Directors Linda Roth, Peter Duggan, Mary Vance Duggan, Mary Johnson, Ted Raia, Fil Raia
ASSIGNED LEADS
Tom will continue getting our speakers. There was a discussion on the need for new members and how to recruit them. Membership, Fundraising, Research, Communications are other important areas in need of leadership. It was suggested that the Board reread MAG By Laws as a means of understanding how best to spur interest in MAG and to serve the community at large.
NEXT MEETING: October 18, 2023 (Speaker TBD)
Adjournment: 3:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Fil Raia, Acting Secretary
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MANGROVE ACTION GROUP MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 19th, 2023 @ 1:30PM
PELICAN BAY COMMUNITY CENTER
CALL TO ORDER & QUORUM DETERMINATION – Tom Sabourin, President, called the meeting to order at 1:37PM
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: John Adams, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Louise Dowd, Mary Johnson, Nancy Lewis, Fil Raia, Ted Raia, Linda Roth and Tom Sabourin
GUESTS: Linda Penniman, Donna Raab, Judy Korstad, Mona Friedman, Elizabeth Feit, Len Rothman and Laura Arnold
PLEDGE: Tom Sabourin
GUEST SPEAKER INTRODUCTION: Tom S. introduced our guest speaker Nick Penniman, co-author of ‘Enjoyment of the Same; A History of Public Lands in Florida.’
GUEST SPEAKER: Franklin Adams(co-author of the book) was scheduled to speak along with Nick Penniman but was feeling under the weather. Nick, explaining that Franklin was truly the treasure trove behind much of the book, instead, decided to share with us how the book came to be, how it was made and share just a few snippets from it.
Initially, Nick started writing a book to understand more about the source of a massive die off of Florida manatees on the east coast of Florida in hopes of preventing a similar die off on the west coast of Florida.
In doing his research, Nick began to realize that much had already been written about it. Nick’s focus had been primarily on the east coast of Florida so he knew he needed to switch gears.
While doing further research, Nick kept running into Franklin’s name. So, Nick reached out to Franklin and they entered into expanded conversations. Franklin has such a plethora of knowledge and they began to discuss how so much of Collier County—almost 70%—ended up as public lands and about how to make sure that future development was to the highest standards of land management.
As they continued conversation, Nick realized that not only was the Turner River its own story, but a microcosm of the paradigm shift to move away from unrestrained development and into an era of appreciation, and of trying to save our natural resources. Franklin Adams had great experience with saving the Fakahatchee Strand and an ongoing love of the Turner River, that was part of his growing up in southwest Florida.
In writing the book, Voice to Text software was used. Nick asked the questions and throughout the book, Franklin’s quotations and comments are in italics and shadow-boxes. All are either words from interviews, or direct quotes from letters and private notes written by Adams.
Nick shared a few snippets of Franklin’s recollections about his love of the Turner River:
He also spoke about Franklin’s longtime friend, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a conservationist and journalist whose father was the publisher of the Miami paper (later, the Miami Herald). Adams met her while he was in college at Miami-Dade College. Marjory was the author of The Everglades: River of Grass, and an outspoken advocate to save the Everglades from development and restore its natural resources.
Marjory founded Friends of the Everglades and Franklin used to arrange her speaking engagements. Later, she recruited Franklin to head up the Collier County Friends of the Everglades. As part of that effort, he also worked to have the Big Cypress Swamp named a National Preserve and became deeply involved in the formation of a number of large conservation projects, in particular the Turner River and the Fakahatchee Strand.
In 1981, Adams was appointed by Gov. Bob Graham to the Big Cypress Swamp Advisory Committee, as a representative of environmental organizations.
Thank you Nick! MAG looks forward to having Franklin join us to learn more about efforts to preserve Florida’s public lands this Fall!
Reports/Updates/Discussion:
COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT (CSRM) UPDATE – Linda R. and Tom S. reported that yesterday’s in person CSRM meeting (the 2nd) was well attended and had over 400 people on ZOOM. Tom thought it was well presented and conducted.
Tom S. thought suggestions were well received regarding more nature based solutions, with references made to the Miami Dade CSRM and other studies.
Linda R. reviewed some of the original 2022 proposed hardening solutions and stressed the importance of everyone responding before the public comment deadline of May 8th in order to advocate for nature based, locally preferred solutions.
Questions were raised about what exactly the ‘charettes’ were, who was invited to attend them and why, if the study had been re-initiated last August 2022, why was there no community advisement or public engagement until April 2023?
Discussion followed about how MAG can get the message out: Letters to NDN Editor, Mangrove Action Group public statement, sharing the link for public comment and telling everyone you know about it.
BOARD REPORTS:
REPORTS/UPDATES/DISCUSSION CONTINUED:
OLD BUSINESS:
Next Scheduled Meeting Date - May 13, 2023 at 1:30PM, PB Community Center. It will be a business meeting to set policy and assignments. There will be no speaker.
ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business Mary made a motion to adjourn, Louise 2nd and the meeting adjourned at 3:45PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewis, Secretary
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Sabourin, Linda Roth, Louise Dowd, Mary Johnson, Ted Raia, Fil Raia, Peter Duggan and Mary Vance Duggan
SPEAKER, GUESTS: None invited.
MINUTES OF APRIL 19, 2023: All approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Reported by Tom Sabourin as unchanged since 3/31/23 with balance of $18,854.82 and two checks outstanding totaling $211.25.
REPORTS, UPDATES, DISCUSSION
BIRD BOXES: Tom reported on the berm walk he arranged with Brian Beckner, owner and operator of Native Bird Boxes, Inc. Peter and Louise also participated in the walk. Brian has submitted a proposal to MAG for the installation of 8 boxes at selected locations at a cost of $1100 plus an annual maintenance charge of $850. Tom suggested we could start with something smaller. Other related issues discussed were what permissions would be required and the possibility of getting financial assistance from the Foundation.
Motion Moved and Seconded by Mary Johnson and Ted Raia: To contact the Foundation to put six bird boxes along the berm in selective locations as recommended by Brian Beckner of Native Bird Boxes, Inc.
President Tom Sabourin will contact Foundation Board member Susan Levine for assistance in going to the Foundation to ask for help with the Bird Box project.
COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT STATUS AND ACTIONS: The purpose of the US Army Corps of Engineers Feasibility Study is to identify coastal storm flood areas at risk and to find sensible solutions to remediate problems in these areas. Recently released updated documents by the Corps indicate that a deadline of July 7th has been set for receiving public comments about the plan. We are reminded to circulate letters individually advocating for more nature based and locally preferred solutions before plans are finalized.
MAG PO BOX: Tom will set up a new box to receive MAG mail. There will be two keys for access.
SIGNATORIES ON MAG CHECKING ACCOUNT: Tom, Sabourin Louise Dowd, John Adams, as Treasurer, and Nancy Lewis will replace Peter, Linda and Ted as signatories. These people will have a meeting to effect the transition.
WEBSITE ANNUAL BILLING: Tom asked that all Board members familiarize themselves with the website and comment on how to maximize its use. We learned that it is ably handled by Nancy. A Web Host fee is paid.
2023/2024 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
President Tom Sabourin, Vice President Louise Dowd, Treasurer John Adams, Secretary Nancy Lewis, Directors Linda Roth, Peter Duggan, Mary Vance Duggan, Mary Johnson, Ted Raia, Fil Raia
ASSIGNED LEADS
Tom will continue getting our speakers. There was a discussion on the need for new members and how to recruit them. Membership, Fundraising, Research, Communications are other important areas in need of leadership. It was suggested that the Board reread MAG By Laws as a means of understanding how best to spur interest in MAG and to serve the community at large.
NEXT MEETING: October 18, 2023 (Speaker TBD)
Adjournment: 3:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Fil Raia, Acting Secretary
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANGROVE ACTION GROUP MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 19th, 2023 @ 1:30PM
PELICAN BAY COMMUNITY CENTER
CALL TO ORDER & QUORUM DETERMINATION – Tom Sabourin, President, called the meeting to order at 1:37PM
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: John Adams, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Louise Dowd, Mary Johnson, Nancy Lewis, Fil Raia, Ted Raia, Linda Roth and Tom Sabourin
GUESTS: Linda Penniman, Donna Raab, Judy Korstad, Mona Friedman, Elizabeth Feit, Len Rothman and Laura Arnold
PLEDGE: Tom Sabourin
GUEST SPEAKER INTRODUCTION: Tom S. introduced our guest speaker Nick Penniman, co-author of ‘Enjoyment of the Same; A History of Public Lands in Florida.’
GUEST SPEAKER: Franklin Adams(co-author of the book) was scheduled to speak along with Nick Penniman but was feeling under the weather. Nick, explaining that Franklin was truly the treasure trove behind much of the book, instead, decided to share with us how the book came to be, how it was made and share just a few snippets from it.
Initially, Nick started writing a book to understand more about the source of a massive die off of Florida manatees on the east coast of Florida in hopes of preventing a similar die off on the west coast of Florida.
In doing his research, Nick began to realize that much had already been written about it. Nick’s focus had been primarily on the east coast of Florida so he knew he needed to switch gears.
While doing further research, Nick kept running into Franklin’s name. So, Nick reached out to Franklin and they entered into expanded conversations. Franklin has such a plethora of knowledge and they began to discuss how so much of Collier County—almost 70%—ended up as public lands and about how to make sure that future development was to the highest standards of land management.
As they continued conversation, Nick realized that not only was the Turner River its own story, but a microcosm of the paradigm shift to move away from unrestrained development and into an era of appreciation, and of trying to save our natural resources. Franklin Adams had great experience with saving the Fakahatchee Strand and an ongoing love of the Turner River, that was part of his growing up in southwest Florida.
In writing the book, Voice to Text software was used. Nick asked the questions and throughout the book, Franklin’s quotations and comments are in italics and shadow-boxes. All are either words from interviews, or direct quotes from letters and private notes written by Adams.
Nick shared a few snippets of Franklin’s recollections about his love of the Turner River:
- It was a pristine wilderness setting, the perfect setting in the 50’s when he was in high school.
- The older Seminole Indians used to come and dig in his yard near the river. They were digging for medicine - not white people’s medicine. The ground was virgin soil… no fertilizer was used.
- The river was deeper & cleaner. Today, you can no longer see the bottom.
He also spoke about Franklin’s longtime friend, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a conservationist and journalist whose father was the publisher of the Miami paper (later, the Miami Herald). Adams met her while he was in college at Miami-Dade College. Marjory was the author of The Everglades: River of Grass, and an outspoken advocate to save the Everglades from development and restore its natural resources.
Marjory founded Friends of the Everglades and Franklin used to arrange her speaking engagements. Later, she recruited Franklin to head up the Collier County Friends of the Everglades. As part of that effort, he also worked to have the Big Cypress Swamp named a National Preserve and became deeply involved in the formation of a number of large conservation projects, in particular the Turner River and the Fakahatchee Strand.
In 1981, Adams was appointed by Gov. Bob Graham to the Big Cypress Swamp Advisory Committee, as a representative of environmental organizations.
Thank you Nick! MAG looks forward to having Franklin join us to learn more about efforts to preserve Florida’s public lands this Fall!
Reports/Updates/Discussion:
COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT (CSRM) UPDATE – Linda R. and Tom S. reported that yesterday’s in person CSRM meeting (the 2nd) was well attended and had over 400 people on ZOOM. Tom thought it was well presented and conducted.
Tom S. thought suggestions were well received regarding more nature based solutions, with references made to the Miami Dade CSRM and other studies.
Linda R. reviewed some of the original 2022 proposed hardening solutions and stressed the importance of everyone responding before the public comment deadline of May 8th in order to advocate for nature based, locally preferred solutions.
Questions were raised about what exactly the ‘charettes’ were, who was invited to attend them and why, if the study had been re-initiated last August 2022, why was there no community advisement or public engagement until April 2023?
Discussion followed about how MAG can get the message out: Letters to NDN Editor, Mangrove Action Group public statement, sharing the link for public comment and telling everyone you know about it.
BOARD REPORTS:
- MINUTES: (approval /additions or corrections): Peter D. made a motion to approve the March 15th meeting minutes after Linda Roth made a correction to page 2. (carbon storage), and all approved.
- FINANCIAL REPORT: Peter D. reported Truist checking balance is $18,854.82, as of 03/31/23 (an increase of $0.16 interest) with two checks outstanding: $150 to the Conservancy and $61.25 for the annual report filing.
REPORTS/UPDATES/DISCUSSION CONTINUED:
- Bird Boxes: Brian Beckner Berm Walk – Tom discussed the Bird boxes that can be seen in different clubs throughout Naples (Club PB, Tiburon, etc.) and while they for beauty, they are also pollinators. Tom has arranged a berm walk for Thursday, April 27th @ 9:45AM. Anyone who wishes to participate and learn more about the bird boxes can meet Tom & Louise @ the Commons.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Election of Officers: Continued until the May business meeting
Next Scheduled Meeting Date - May 13, 2023 at 1:30PM, PB Community Center. It will be a business meeting to set policy and assignments. There will be no speaker.
ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business Mary made a motion to adjourn, Louise 2nd and the meeting adjourned at 3:45PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewis, Secretary
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