Another reason for Florida Hometown Democracy - The Bat and the Fern

I thought it would be nice to get away from the stress of the local campaign today and talk about some of our wildlife that needs our help. The Florida bristle fern and the Florida bonneted bat have been in the news over the last several days thanks to us--We have done an extremely poor job in protecting our wildlife. Greed has taken over. And development along with hunting and our in-attention to our wetlands has literally driven certain species to possible extinction.

Florida bonneted bat

This is the largest and rarest bat. Very few of these are in existence with the last known roost being a hole of a pileated woodpecker in a pine tree in Charlotte County. That tree was cut down for a road construction project 30 years ago. They like to live in Spanish tile roofs, tree hollows and dead palm fronds. They are only found in 12 locations in central and south Florida.

The Florida bristle fern

I did not realize how rare this fern is. I have seen it. It is only found now in Miami-Dade and Sumter counties. More than 40 of our Ferns could someday become extinct. The government’s failure to rebuild and protect the Everglades has led to more and more plants and animals to be placed on the Endangered species. Over development of our State has wiped out the habitats of many plants and animals.

These are just two more reasons to vote YES on Amendment 4 next year.