PENSACOLA - PARADISE LOST

I love MaClay Gardens in Tallahassee. While I am filled with wonder at the pristine beauty of this priceless little paradise, I am also saddened for I realize that at one time all of the gulf coast was lush with many species of large trees. The long leave pines at MaClay are larger then any I have seen in Escambia County. They fill me with awe. I feel so privilege to walk among them, to touch their bark and smell the sweet aromatic scents that come from the bark when it is heated by the summer sun.
The great natural beauty of northwest Florida has been ravished and plundered for the all mighty dollar. No where is this more evident than in the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. Though both entities have tree ordinances designed to protect certain species of trees, there is little enforcement. I go to the Development Review Committee meetings in Escambia County and not once have I observed a negative ruling against a developer, builder or property owner who request to cut down or mutilate a protected tree. The failure of the City of Pensacola and Escambia County to protect our lost paradise is a crime against nature. We must hold our public officials accountable for these acts. We must demand strict enforcement of tree ordinances. We must stop run away clear cutting developments such as Cobblestone that took out over 17,000 trees. We must stop the continued degradation of Carpenter Creek and the ecosystem that supports its vegatation and wildlife. We must demand sustainable development that protects our natural resources.
This blog is the people's blog. It will tell us how to do this. How to speak truth to power. How to be the voice of the voiceless. Come share your ideas. If earth speaks to you - share her thoughts and wisdom. Share her tears and groanings. Share her joys and sorrow. Speak! Speak! with whatever means you have. Speak!