1-7
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1-14
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1-22
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1-28
Florida's Lost Tourist Attractions
This week's hot link is just for fun, a hobby site developed by a Robert H. Brown who states: "I'm creating this site as an homage to the diversity that was Florida tourism, and, as my research fills things in, I'll be delving into the details of those forgotten places and updating this page with a record of this largely uncharted chunk of the state's history." There was the Prince of Peace Memorial that shared a parking lot with Silver Springs, the wood parade, the "world's most unusual drug store" and even a page about parks that were planned, but never came about.

2-4
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Bonus Link: Just for fun, find out what kind of animal you are with this romance style quiz just in time for Valentine's Day.

2-11
Florida History & The Arts Magazine
A few EcoFlorida readers have mentioned they'd like to read about Florida history in EcoFlorida. But the state puts out a publication that's already really good at this. Published by the Florida state department, Florida History & The Arts Magazine highlights Florida's history through articles about museums, buildings, landmarks and, of course, people. If you're a history buff, check it out! :) And be sure to also read EcoFlorida's print publication for Florida nature, wildlife and nature travel.

2-19
Adventure Travel Quick Connect Essentials
If you haven't planned your summer vacation yet, now's the time to do it. And if you're thinking about an adventure travel trip, try out this page for links to numerous activities and other important items like how to get passports and convert currencies. Whether you're looking for beaches, hiking trails, whitewater trips or just flights, you can start and come back to this page to plan your trip.

2-25
Car-Free Cities
What would your city be like if people didn't depend on cars to get them around? Is it possible to have a car-free city? This site says it's not only possible, but there are already such cities, like Venice, Italy; Louvain la Neuve, Belgium; the UK's Island of Sark; and Michigan's Mackinac Island. It's easy to find your way around at this site, where you can view proposed car-free city layouts, read about life in a car-free city and read the author's responses to objections to this approach. The site also sells a book on the subject.

3-4
American Trails
You may have already heard the news that the 16th National Trails Symposium run by this organization is coming to Florida this year in November. American Trails calls itself "the only national trails advocacy organization working for the common interests of all trail users -- including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four wheeling." At the site, you'll find information about trails state by state -- and even internationally. You'll also get trail news and "Action Alerts," and the American Trails newsletter (downloadable in PDF format). The site is a great resource for people who work/volunteer on trails and for those who use trails for recreation.

3-12
Earth Lights
Have you seen the Earth at night? This image on the NASA Web site shows the Earth from space on night. It clearly shows the light pollution we have around the world. It's a neat image, and you can also use it to test your geography knowledge. Can you see the Everglades and the dark national forests in Florida? My question is: How did they capture the image when night doesn't fall at the same time on both sides of the world?

3-18
Florida DEP Bureau of Invasive Plant Management
About 1.7 million acres of Florida's natural areas have been invaded by non-native plants, according to the state's Department of Environmental Protection. The Bureau of Invasive Plant Management has just released its annual report on non-native plants, which you can view on this site. Here also, you gardeners, volunteers and concerned citizens can see which plants are the trouble makers and report your non-native findings. Have questions about non-native plants? See the frequently asked questions section.

3-25
The Black Water Phenomenon
Boaters and scientists have discovered a strange "dead zone" in the Gulf stretching from about Naples to about Marathon in the Florida Keys. The dark water doesn't appear to kill marine life, but it does turn them away -- indicating a lack of oxygen in the water. You will need an audio player on your computer to listen to the 5 segments about the Black Water area.

4-2
Nature in the City
OK, how many of you are central Florida residents? If you live in the middle of the peninsula, then you might be interested in this new minisite from the City of Orlando. The site provides information and tips on "cold-hardy and drought-tolerant plants from trees to flowers to make your yard more beautiful and resistant to our changing weather patterns." Start with a landscape plan, then choose trees, shrubs, ground covers, grasses, vines and flowers that are perfect for this part of the state.

4-9
RedJellyFish: Your Source for Natural Living
This is another portal for environmental info on the Web (like some past hot links). It has advice on everything from allergies to hemp, green baby products to organic wine, environmentally responsible B&Bs to animal rights news. And its Web host is a company that powers its servers via solar energy. Some portions of the site require you to become a member (for free), like sending e-cards. You'll find all kinds of environment-related topics here, including ecotravel, but be aware that the site's content is largely made up of what appears to be commercial plugs for various products and services.

4-15
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4-22
Planetaria and Observatories of the United States
The Lyrids meteor showers are providing us with a light show now through April 25. Apparently, if you look to the northeast just before dawn, you can see some of these "shooting stars." That got me thinking: Are there planetariums in Florida that are having special viewings of the showers or related events? And I found this page of planetariums (ahem, planetaria) around the United States. Just scroll down the page to find those listed for Florida - or any state!

Bonus Link: The Earthshine Phenomenon is something to see.

5-1
Riverwoods Field Laboratory
Now, let me guess what you're thinking. "Riverwoods Field Laboratory" doesn't sound like a very fun site to visit. But if you're interested in the Florida environment -- and I think that's all of us on the list -- then you'll likely find something here for you. This is a site of the Florida Center for Environmental Studies, which offers environment training and research programs. Want info on becoming a certified nature guide? Learn about the Kissimmee River restoration project? Find out where to take your students on a cool field trip? See nature photos? The Riverwoods site has the goods. You'll also find information on current research projects, agro-ecology and volunteer opportunities.

5-6
The Great Calusa Blueway
Not only does nearly every little corner of Florida have a name for itself -- think Nature Coast or Gulf Islands, for example -- but now more and more areas are developing their own regional paddling trails. The State of Florida already offers official paddling trails, but regions are creating their own. And why not? There are plenty of watery areas in our state to go around. The latest one is the Lee Island Coast Paddling Trail, a.k.a. the Great Calusa Blueway. The site is beautiful and easy to navigate. Here, you'll find basic information about the trail, plus trail maps, put-in locations, outfitters along the route, tide charts and weather information, and vacation-planning tips. It looks like a fun trip!

5-14
Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals of Florida
This is a great resource for EcoFloridians. This online field guide, developed by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (a Tallahassee-based organization that provides ecological data to public agencies and private firms alike), can be handy if you want to find a certain species or just learn more about it. Before you click on "Search the Field Guides Online," be sure to read the boring-but-helpful "Using the Field Guide" section. Once you're on your way, you can search by keyword, species type, scientific family, county, legal status or rarity. Results are in PDF format, so you'll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the reports on individual species, which include a Florida map showing where the species is found, a photo or illustration of the species, its habitat, how it's being protected and basic scientific information.

5-20
She Gear: Equipment and Adventure for Women
Many companies have sprung up to sell women-only sporting goods and athletic clothing, and this is just one of them. (Wait, guys! Before skipping this one, think about your sister, wife, girlfriend or daughter.) She Gear offers not only "stuff," but also articles and news about women in sports. Biking, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving -- even hang gliding -- and more outdoor activities are featured here. Women new to a particular sport are welcome and are pointed to places for lessons, plus associations and Web sites for more information. And when you're ready to buy equipment, She Gear offers a guide to what you'll need and links to manufacturer's Web sites so you can make an informed purchase. Think of it: bike seats, paddles and shoes just for you (e.g., no more buying a small men's boot).

6-4
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Bonus Link: Florida Division of Emergency Management. Now that hurricane season is here, this is your one-stop-shopping place for hurricane information. The best feature on this site is the ability to input your address to find hurricane shelters (and whether they're open or closed), evacuation routes, storm surge areas and more, with an interactive map. Hurricane history is another feature apart from the typical preparedness tips you'd expect to find here.

6-11
Florida bird songs
Here is a great page that will help you learn about the birds that are flying overhead. While, as the title of the page suggests, it's the birds' songs that are the main feature, you can also see what most of the birds look like by clicking on a bird's name. (I say "most of the birds" because some bird pictures aren't available; you'll know because the bird's name won't be clickable.) Hear and see bobwhites, limpkins, great horned owls, Carolina wrens, indigo buntings and more. There will be a quiz later. Just kidding.

6-17
Rain Gardens
Have you ever heard of a rain garden? With plants that help filter storm runoff that would otherwise become pollution, rain gardens can be a way to landscape your yard and help the environment. This article explains how the suburban landscape can be one of the biggest polluters and how suburbanites can help change that with some planning and planting. Check out a list of rain garden plants here, but your best bet for subtropical plants that would work in a Florida rain garden is to check with your Florida county extension agent.

6-24
Ecofriendly Hotels
There aren't too many around--and only one in Florida--but if you're interested in spending your summer vacation time at a place that respects the environment, you may want to check out this program. Lodging facilities that conserve water and energy, manage waste well, have a commitment to the environment, and engage their employees in community involvement and environmental education can be certified by HVS Global Hospitality Consulting as an ECOTEL. From this site, you can find ECOTELS around the world.

7-1
Binoculars Buying Guide
Although it's not exactly birding season in Florida, summer is the time for viewing juvenile birds. I've got some baby woodpeckers in my yard right now. Summer is also a time to prepare for the fall migratory birding season. So if you're thinking about buying a pair of binoculars for birding or other wildlife watching, visit this site for some in-depth tips, including lens size, zoom and night vision properties. The site also sells binoculars of various brands, so you'll be able to comparison shop. Look for sales in stores close to your home, too.

7-8
Where to Bird -- Florida
Last week, I talked about preparing for the fall bird migration and pointed to a binoculars buying guide. This week, I'd like to mention this page about bird-watching sites in Florida. It's really a page of links, but this is a great jumping-off point to learn more about places to see birds, birding e-mail discussion groups, Florida Audubon chapters online and birding festivals. You can also click over to bird checklists from this page. Or just "wing" it . . . .

7-22
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7-29
Plants for Lakefront Revegetation
Whaddya know? I didn't even know "revegetation" is a word. But apparently, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection believes it's important to revegetate freshwater shorelines with native plants, and it has provided this guide to such plants. The FDEP says that planting native plants along the shore provides food and shelter for birds and fish, helps prevent bank erosion and help naturally purify the water, among other things. Some of the plants on the list include bald cypress, swamp lily, pickerel weed and maidencane. If you live on a lake or have a backyard pond, this publication could be helpful.

8-5
Student Conservation Association
What with all the back-to-school sales taking place in preparation for the coming school year (school starts in 3 weeks here), I thought this would be a good time to point out this service organization. The SCA provides outdoors education and internships for young people thinking about a career in conservation, boasting that its volunteers give more than a million hours of service each year. It also operates a job database to match people to environmental careers. If you're a high-school- or college-age person considering working with the environment -- or if you know someone who is -- then a visit to this start could be the start of some hands-on experience and guidance.

8-12
Conservation Through Birding
If you are a birdwatcher or any kind of wildlife watcher, this site will interest you. With the motto "We value what we use, and we conserve what we value," this movement's name is self-explanatory. (I call it a movement because I can't find proof that it's a nonprofit organization; however, CTB appears to be organized by nature economic impact study firm Fermata Inc.) The raison d'ˆtre of CTB is "while arguably the most popular wildlife-related recreation in the country (eclipsing hunting and fishing), birding has few advocates to further its interests. Birding is effectively silent." You won't find a lot at this site, but you will be able to read news items about birdwatching and join a discussion group about how to promote the idea of CTB as it gains momentum.

8-19
Living on Earth
Living on Earth is a weekly radio show funded by the National Science Foundation that EcoFloridians may be interested in. For a sample of the topics the show covers, just look at what it discussed this week: Curbside composting in Nova Scotia, teaching wallabies to fear predators, recycling cellphones and whether eating curry will guard against Alzheimer's. There's also a segment that "airs" daily on the Web; right now, it's portions of the book "Journey of the Pink Dolphins." The Web site lists only 3 stations in Florida that carry the show (in Fort Pierce, Orlando and Miami). But if your local station doesn't carry the program, you can listen to it on this site in MP3 and RealAudio formats.

8-26
Watchable Wildlife
Partaking in ecotourism while preserving the environment is the challenge that faces us now. Watchable Wildlife does its part to promote wildlife watching while supporting the habitats that sustain the wildlife. And showing communities how they can prosper economically while promoting their wildlife is this organization's challenge. You'll want to check out WW's Guide to Ultimate Wildlife Watching, downloadable as a PDF file or available through the mail, and A Look at the Worth of Wildlife Viewing, which breaks down this form of ecotourism into dollars and cents.

9-2
Environmental Learning Center
When I stumbled across this site last week, I couldn't believe I had never heard of it before. If you don't know about the ELC, in Vero Beach, then you may want to take a look through this site. If you visit the ELC, you can take a hike through Indian River Lagoon habitat and explore the science of nature in its labs with aquariums and computers. But even if you don't visit, you can find out what the ELC is doing for shoreline restoration, read articles in its online newsletter and find out about events like guided tours and clinics.

9-9
Sidetrackers
Here's a group that takes nature and adventure travel to a different level. If you're single and looking to meet other like-minded folks -- or know someone who is -- consider Sidetrackers. Based in Jacksonville, this group organizes outdoors get-togethers and field trips for single people. For example, this site's calendar shows that upcoming events include a walk through downtown Jacksonville, parasailing, a park cleanup, a day trip to Savannah, Ga., and a talk on survival techniques -- all within the next month.

9-16
Off-Road Vehicles in Florida National Forests
The group Defenders of Wildlife has released this booklet/white paper on the impact of ORVs on public lands. Available in paper form or as a PDF downloadable from this site, DOW turns a critical eye on ORV traffic, pointing out environmental, economic and aesthetic impacts on the habitats in our 3 national forests. Photos and maps seem to indicate that ORV use and reuse create erosion that is slow for areas to recover from. The booklet even states that "The Forest Service has failed miserably in complying with the spirit or intent of these [laws] or with federal statutes and regulations governing ORV management on federal lands." Whether you enjoy riding your ORVs or whether you spurn them, you may take an interest in reading what DOW has to say about them and their suggestions for future use.

9-23
Battle Under the Firs: The RVs Vs. the Tents
If you've camped even a few times, you'll appreciate this writer's take on how people choose to camp. For a fun read, try this story of Timothy Egan's camping trip in the mountains of Washington State and his conversations with tent campers and RV campers. He writes: "To the tent people, RV campers are impostors....They drag to the campground everything the tent campers are trying to escape. To the RV people, tent campers are slackers, not particularly fresh-smelling, even a little suspect."

Bonus Link: In keeping with the camping theme, check out this site for purportedly good camping food for your next trip.

9-30
Interactive Green Swamp
I love this site! You know I don't gush much, but this site is something else. Using Flash, the Southwest Florida Water Management District brings the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve to life with sounds of birds and crickets, with scenic and aerial photos and with beautiful illustrations of the habitats and wildlife found in the swamp. The Green Swamp, which covers quite a bit of territory in Polk, Sumter, Pasco, Hernando and Lake counties, is the birthplace of 4 Florida rivers -- Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Peace and Ocklawaha -- so it's a significant piece of land to protect. Alongside the interactive Flash movie screen are notes that explain more about what you're seeing and that include links to other pages like maps and glossaries. If you don't have the ability to view the site, you can download Flash, or check out the text-only version of this site. More Web sites on Florida's natural areas should be like this.

10-7
USDA Forest Service Tourism Program
If you ever think about planning a trip through a national forest, you may want to check out this site first. Here, you can find national forests and grasslands on a map of the United States, find out how to get maps, brochures and permits, and find out if there are any travel advisories for the place you want to visit. You can also link to other sites to reserve your cabin in the forest (including Ocala National Forest in Florida). Some places even allow you to reserve lookout towers! Several links along the left side of the page help you plan your trip and give kids something to do as well with a kids' page.

10-14
How to Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator
Just as people do, wildlife have accidents, get themselves in jams (sometimes traffic jams) and fall ill. When you find such an animal, it can be overwhelming. Getting the animal proper care in time can mean life or death, so here is a site to turn to when you need to look up a wildlife rehabilitator. Select your state and find a caregiver close to you. (See Florida.) Also, check out the main page for tips on what to do if you find wildlife young, tips on how to avoid harming wildlife, and more.

10-21
Florida Geologic Map
Do you live on trail ridge sands? How about Miami limestone? Few may ponder what lies beneath their communities, but in case you're interested, take a gander through this site. Look at several maps of the geology of Florida, and find out trivia to tuck away in your head, such as Florida "spans more than 350 miles (565 kilometers) at its greatest width and extends southward more than 450 miles (725 kilometers) at its greatest length." You can even get the complete geological survey of Florida if you like.

Bonus Link: Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers is an environmental education center with nature trails, special programs and, of course, that planetarium, which few nature centers seem to have. If you'll be traveling around Fort Myers, you might want to take a look. And if you live in Fort Myers, you might want to try Calusa's "Rent-A-Scope Program" that gives you what you need to get started skywatching.

10-28
Paddling.net: Canoeing and Kayaking Info
Whether you're just starting out in paddling (a handy word to describe both canoeing and kayaking) or you're a pro, this site has a lot to offer. If anything, visit just to enter the giveaways that the site seems to have on a regular basis, and score yourself a sharp kayak or a vacation at Florida's own Paradise Found Island Retreat, which is part of the current sweepstakes running. If you're new to paddling, check out the "Guidelines" page to get acquainted with the basics of what you'll need to know. And if you're into gear, check out the buyers' guide and product reviews. Any EcoFloridian will probably want to check out the Florida trip reports. An e-mail newsletter and store round out the site.

11-4
Sierra Club Trips
No doubt you're familiar with the Sierra Club. Operating since 1892(!), the club promotes conservation and responsible use of natural lands. It publishes a great magazine. It also offers trips into natural lands, like the one to be led next month in the Everglades by Florida's own Into the Outdoors, listed on the EcoFlorida Tour and Outfitter Directory. To find nature-based Sierra Club vacations/outings in Florida, just go to the page above and select Florida. Several trips are planned for next year, including those to the Dry Tortugas, Ocala National Forest and the Suwannee River. You can narrow your search using key words or selecting a specific activity. If you go, let us know how you liked it!

11-11
Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing
As a publication about nature travel, EcoFlorida is always concerned about the effects of outdoors activities on nature, especially those who would feel any impact directly -- the wildlife. Watching wildlife is a popular activity and one that has the potential to do more harm than good for the wildlife. Surrounded by water, Florida gives people the chance to see many kinds of marine animals, like sea turtles, dolphins, manatees and whales. This page is a jumping-off point for various wildlife-watching etiquette pages online. For example, visitors learn that they should stay at least 50 yards away from sea turtles and dolphins. And as always, feeding is prohibited. Here are widlife-watching tips for the southeastern United States.

11-18
Leonid Meteor Shower Special Report
Every year in November for a while now, the Leonid meteors have been putting on a show for us Earthlings. It's here again, and starting late tonight is apparently the best time to see "shooting stars" and the like. Luckily, Florida should have a clear view for the show. This week's site is a great way to get acquainted with the Leonids or, if you already are, to see photos taken of them and to get news. Watch how the Leonid meteors work. Also, find out which planets you'll be able to see along with the meteors. This may a good time to stay up late because the Leonids apparently won't continue to be with us . . . .

11-25
WorldSurface
This site is a jumping-off point for researching and booking sustainable travel. There seems to be limited information on travel in the United States, with an apparent focus on other countries. Check out the Florida page for an example, where the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas are listed and where a reader's report discusses Arizona. Go figure. The Travel Information section provides brief notes and recommendations on traveling to these countries, taken from guide books. If you join the site as a member you can add your Live Diary. You can also book flights and hotels, and buy travel books.

12-2
Earth Foot
This site lists and profiles ecotours around the globe. From viewing manatees right here in Florida to touring Ghana villages to birdwatching in Bhutan, you'll find nature tours. The site is plain but easy to navigate. Click on the map to choose a location, or select an activity that interests you. Either way, lists of tours come up.

12-9
Florida's Springs: Protecting Nature's Gems
With great pictures and a lot of content, this site should get a lot of attention. Here is a site that tells you just about everything there is to know about Florida's springs. You can see diagrams of how springs form, where to find springs in Florida, swimming, snorkeling and diving in Florida's springs and easy things that everyone in Florida can do to help springs.

12-16
Center for Private Conservation
Here's a site with an interesting objective: "to promote the practice of private approaches to conservation of the earth's resources through the use of property rights and markets." There isn't much at this site, but you will find case studies of private conservation projects and news about what's going on the realm of private conservation. While the site itself isn't much, keep your eye on this one - and on the concept - as more and more people take it upon themselves to do what they can to preserve what they can.