Save Our Reef and Save Your World
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A friend asked me, “What have you learned from writing on HubPages?”
I responded, “I have a long way to go to get up to speed on the internet, and I can’t seem to get away from being an outdoor writer.”
I have been writing for Coastal Angler Magazine for years, but never joined the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. I did not want to be pigeonholed as one. I want to do more . . . something better. I want to be more creative and I am concerned with social issues and the human condition. If you look at my collection of hubs, most of them are by an outdoor writer. I can’t escape my love of the beauty and my daily interaction with the natural environment. I guess I write about what I love. I am beginning to realize that the whole universe and everything in it is really, simply the natural environment. Our deepest thoughts and inner most feelings are just another unique habitat within it.
The Native Americans have a philosophy we would all do well to adopt, ”Live peacefully on the earth and leave a soft footprint.” Those of us who are trying to do just that are being overpowered by forces of pure economic interest who categorize everything in the environment as a commodity. Ever since Disney World came to Orlando, the business people have been trying to make our coastal communities a suburb of Orlando. To reinforce my point, they have renamed the Beeline (an autobahn to the coast) the Beachline. Coastal residents continue to call it the Beeline (to us it goes to strait to Orlando) and we are constantly being corrected. Today, I am going to be doing the correction.
Several years back, Port Canaveral was dredged to accommodate Disney and other cruise lines. It has been a boost to the economy, but it has hastened the erosion of the local beaches. The owners of oceanfront property are up in arms and demanding that something be done about it. Business people are errantly convinced that it will affect tourism. Brevard County, Patrick Air Force base and the Army Corps of Engineers have plans to “mend” the beaches with a beach re-nourishment program. There is no sense in arguing with me . . . beach re-nourishment never works! The stuff (can’t call it proper beach sand) that they pump or dump, just washes away, every time. There are environmental concerns as well.
Satellite Beach used to have rolling dunes and wonderful transition habitat to the higher more solid ground of the barrier island. Nothing should have ever been built on the ocean side of Highway A1A. It is against state law to pick a single sea oat, but the county zoned it and issued permits to have entire dune lines bulldozed to build condominiums. The money for the projects came from all over the world. The residents of the town finally banded together and bought what remained of the undeveloped shoreline. This is how love and wisdom work. Their money is gone, but they have preserved a priceless heritage for their descendants. You can enjoy it, too.
I am focusing on a short stretch of beach with a living reef that is in danger from the plans of the uninitiated. Sure, they have credentials, but they aren’t from around here. Transplanted big shots are forever conducting expensive studies to find out what we would be glad to tell them for free. At first glance, the reef looks dead, like nothing but rocks, but it is vibrant and full of life. We are trying to save it.
Reef at low tide. It is underwater at High tide.
To me, this is a microcosm of a worldwide struggle between the sacred, natural world and an abomination of concrete steel and glass. We are being carried by a strong current into a global economy, and a “New World Order”. I have heard federal government officials in America claim to be globalists. There is tremendous pressure being exerted on all of us to become a homogenous global community.
The “Third World” is quickly being developed and the people are proving themselves capable of competing with the “First World” for their position in the lead. I want to encourage those people to hold on tight to their regional traditions, resources and identity and not sacrifice them on the altar of “progress”. Don’t emulate the centralized systems of the “First World”. Set a better course and a superior example. Remain who you are and keep what you have. Maintain a regional stronghold from which to do business and a modular approach to energy. These will be the keys for survival and success. I will speak more of this in the future.
Meanwhile, let me share our small problem as we hope to save our ugly little reef with a grassroots effort. It is really the best way to go for permanent solutions. Violent revolution is like beach re-nourishment. Our best efforts will only be swept away by the rising tide of the next few storms.
Donate six minutes of your life for our ugly little reef.
This is a two minute look at the reef. Jake Smith from Pure Ocean TV.com strums a worm rock (soft coral) tune on his guitar in accompaniment. Take a close up look at what we want to keep in our backyard. Meanwhile think about what is worth saving near your home.
This is an interview with two locals in the know. Mike Daniel (surfer, surf board designer, shaper, manufacturer, representative from Sebastian Inlet Chapter of Surfrider Foundtion). and Rodney Smith (professional angler, guide, publisher, community developer). It is very informative!
- Surfrider Foundation
Dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the worlds oceans, waves and beaches - Anglers for Conservation - Education through programs like Hook Kids on Fishing
Anglers for Conservation is an individual and community development organization. They provide education and activities that promote appreciation and responsible use of waterways in Florida and throughout the world.
Here is what we are up against! Go ahead & take a look.
I know it is a lot to ask, but take a look at this article. You don't have to read the whole thing to get the idea that the powers that be are touting this project as a positive improvement. I am not being callous. I am being real. To the people who own beach homes and are worried about the ocean, I say, "Didn't you read the book? Don't build your house on sand."
Link to pro-replenishment article from Florida Today
Enjoy your beach days while the beach is still here!
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Are you motivated to join a grassroots movement to improve the quality of life in your region?
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- Do You Eat the Fish?
Is it safe to eat fish from Florida? Find out from WD Curry 111
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Rasta1 - You are very astute. We must make our stand against Babylon. In Florida it is "Pre-fab-alon", brother. Are they wasting their time on BoBo hill? Its all good!
When the Lord comes back . . . will he look like he is from Scotland? The underdog wins in the end.
Hey Curry! You did it again, great hub! I'm a bit jealous, though. I almost wrote on the same subject, but would not have been able to give it the justice you did. Great job!
Don't kid yourself jennjenn. Besides, it is not a competition.
We need all of the voices we can get. The powers that be are responding to some people who got ripped off when they bought ocean front homes from people who knew they would end up in the drink. I feel for them, but we can't stop them from going in. When I first surfed in Satellite Beach in 1967, there was at least 150 yds more beach, dunes, trees, and the waves broke way better. Beaches are always in a constant state of flux, and it is impossible to stabilize them permanently. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Start squeaking!
I think sometimes we feel helpless at the environmental destruction, especially of the Great Barrier Reef. But there's a lot we can do in our own backyard, protecting a little stretch of reef. Every little bit helps. Voting this Up and Interesting.
Thanks for that input, alocsin. You are right. Every little bit helps.
Now get busy out in Cali - save a tree!
This article is very informative. I am not in touch with this subject although there is a lot of hue and cry about environmental destruction.
Recently I wrote in a hub that cutting down more trees and not planting them will add to the risk of lung cancer.
You have beautiful pictures and solid content!
Voting up and sharing.
It is so good to see you Ms. Thumbi7. See, you are in touch with the subject after all. Let's plant more trees they are a renewable resource. I have never been to India, but from what I have seen in pictures and film, it is a beautiful place with much diversity. It will be nice to preserve it for the future.
i agree with rasta it's a losing or at best an up hill battle good share wd curry.. move forward with preservation I say but thats just me :(
Thanks Frank. We do what we can. We are making good progress around here. Development is almost stopped in its tracks right now. Restoration is on our list, and we are doing okay there.
Very interesting read. Thanks for raising awareness.
Thanks for the fascinating hub. I presently live near a copper mine which, for political reasons, continues to be allowed to damage the environment. When a local river was to be annexed to satiate the mine's constant thirst for water, only a local uprising was able to prevent it. Not that I'm encouraging violence, just making the point that environmental issues are a global and complex problem.
Lady_E - Always nice to have English Aristocracy stop by. We do what we can!
Thanks for your good work. Would that be Anaconda Copper or a local operation? Either way, copper mining is a mess. The problem would not be as bad if we downsized and took a regional approach. Of course moguls want to supply the entire world with the endless demand for the metal.
I don't promote or support violence, but whats wrong with orderly protest? I am considering blocking the bulldozers if we can't stop it in time. If you don't hear from me again, I got run over.
The copper mine is called Southern. I agree about the downsizing, but copper is in such demand right now. In this case it was a not-so-orderly or peaceful protest that stopped the mine!
vespawoolf - Ours wouldn't be so orderly, either, if they were destroying our land, contaminating everything and poisoning our children. People like that don't fight unless they are desperate.
Yes, I definitely agree. There just isn't enough water here and it's all because of the mine. And there seems to be more cancer in this part of Peru, as well.
vespawoolf - Not only that, but the Peruvian people have been getting exploited from every direction for a long time now. Even sweet, gregarious people will get fierce when pushed too far. I live in Florida and am researching the Seminole wars right now. The Miccossukee and Seminoles are still some of the friendliest and most peaceful people on the planet. They gave the Americans hell, though.
You seem to know a lot about Peruvians...the exploitation goes back a while. It started with the Spaniards. Fast forward to present day and people are often a victim of their own kind. Political corruption has led to the sale of many of their natural resources and the poor especially never see any benefit from it. The same old story repeats itself throughout history!
The only people who didn't have problems with European explorers killed them on sight.
Ha! I'd never thought of it that way! lol
It's all good!
Brilliant article and very persuasive towards saving the reef.
Too much of our natural earth is already being damaged.
I love the expression ´´to leave a soft footprint´´.
Videos were beautiful too. Thank you.
Dim Flaxenwick - Thanks for coming by and leaving a supportive comment. The videos are by my young friends at Pure Ocean Tv.com. They are dedicated to educating the public to promote good stewardship of our natural heritage.
great hub! its sad that our culture has grown to place the enviornment and economics on opposing sides, it does more harm then good. As for your issues with beach erosion, like many areas of the world, we don't give the beach environment enough room, it's a transitional enviornment that is in a constant state of change and it needs the room to change in a somewhat balanced way. I hope you continue to fight to preserve your reefs, they are so fragile but yet so important to biodiversity in the ocean! voted up! interesting, awesome, and beautiful. Also Sharing with followers and on Twitter!
A brilliant hub on such an important issue worldwide.
Here in NZ through holiday season college kids replant grasses and plants in the dunes to hold them in place along some coastal areas. Mount Maunganui built an artificial reef but it seems that it has caused problems with rips so they are now going to dismantle it.
I know in many places there are now laws against building any structure along beaches. Saving our shores and reefs is crucial.
We also have laws stating that anyone wishing to cut down a native tree must seek permission first. And laws that state any tree cut down must be replaced one for one.
I don’t hold with these moguls that are willing to build anywhere as long as they see a profit in it.
Keep up the good fight, good luck
BWB310 - Thanks for your intelligent comment. The environmental protection agency is not our enemy. I appreciate the twitter shout out. I am remedial about social networking. The reef is our concern today, but we have a constant battle for every aspect of the natural Florida habitats. As soon as we win a battle and move to another issue, it seems like someone always wants to come in and undo it behind us. Keep them honest in Connecticut, too, brother.
Rosemary50 - New Zealand sets the standard for the love and protection of our true natural resources. Yet, you still have to stay sharp in order to stave off greedy developers, and industrial fishing.
Thanks for your support.
Voted up and all across but funny. Sorry I haven't been by in a while. I really appologize because you are a wise man that we all can learn from and appreciate. I love the outdoors myself and I could fully understand why one would write about it. I have to fully commend you on this article. People don't realize things until its gone. It is sad that it takes losing things to realize their worth. Then again, that is just a life lesson rather then being stupid, or perhaps a little bit of both. We could all do more for our community. It includes land, old buildings, historic marks, ect. We should try to preserve everything we can so our children and grandchildren can visually see what we once saw. Great videos. It is such a beautiful place. I always worry about Florida, mainly due to global warming. You make great points that can't be ignored. Sorry about going on and on. A fantastic article with a strong message. I will be back for sure. Take care and keep them coming.
Hey, thelyricwriter. First, there is no need to apologize for not coming by. We live in a busy world. I should come by and see you more. No need to worry about going on, either. This is an interactive magazine format and one of the best features is being able to expand and expound on a subject, which you did (old buildings).
I worry about Florida a lot. The majority of the people here don’t really know where they are. They see a contrived, manicured, prefabricated paradise filled with swimming pools, golf courses and tiki bars. Florida is really a hard scrabble, harsh environment. Most people love a lifestyle projected by advertising, not the real beauty that real Floridians fall in love with. West Virginia has a lot to preserve, and I am glad I have inspired you to think about that. Keep those mountains and streems pristine!
One of our main concerns now is offshore drilling for oil. The rest of the country is eyeballing those meager deposits and licking their lips.
This is a fantastic article about an important subject! We must all do what we can to protect special places in our neighborhood. The Earth isn't something we own, we just borrow it from our children! For some reason it seems that the oceans around the world is the environments where human ruthlessness is at its worst. Thanks for this interesting article, voted up, interesting and shared!
Tina
If I am not mistaken, the Scandinavian countries are leaders in this regard. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Excellent hub! Wonderful information and I loved the video! It sickens me to see greedy people take over our beautiful resources in the name of progress or tourism. If they keep it up, there will be nothing special to see! Our natural environments are too precious, not only to us but to our children as well.
I have to tell you that I laughed when I read the fan mail you left. It was very nice and humurous! Thanks you so much! I have voted this hub up, awesome and sharing! :)
sgbrown - thanks for the affirmative comment. You just added your voice to the majority who feel the same. It looks like the project is going to be hard to stop. At least we are getting attention for the reef. The sand that they move in will not even protect the property. There is a sea level issue. Florida is slowly sinking. The old dune line is way inland from the beach. Maybe it will end up ocean front again.
Excellent hub WD Curry. I found myself attached to this little reef by the time I finished reading and watching the videos. I believe these politicians and all enemy forces involved will listen to the only language they understand, which is money. These poor saps should take a hit in the pocketbook for what they are doing to this reef. I say hit em in the pocket book and run em out of office. Thanks for an awesome read.
JamesPoppell - They are getting it in the pocketbook, but haven't figured it out yet. I like your idea. We are working on it. The reef came back from the last time they buried it, but that doesn't mean they should bury it every five years. Get a clue!
rasta1 Level 6 Commenter 3 months ago
I see it as a losing battle. The reefs are pretty important for maintaining the beaches of Jamaica. Due to dredging for accommodating large modern cruise ships, I can see the slow damages of the beach.
They don't see that they are damaging the same products that they are trying to sell.