WGCU

Writer/Producer: Lynne Howard Frazer

Millions of stray cats are killed every year in animal shelters -- a shocking statistic that has inspired a grassroots movement to change ineffective and inhumane animal control methods.

Throughout southwest Florida, an underground network of cat-lovers protects friendless felines, and promotes a new no-kill method of feral cat control called "Trap, Neuter, Return," or TNR.

Resources:

Michele Antonia, Founder
Animal Compassion Project, Inc.
humane@earthlink.net
(239) 825-4093

Jim and Jan Rich, Founders
For the Love of Cats
www.floridacatrescue.com
(239) 642-8674

Alley Cat Allies
www.alleycat.org

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

All it takes is one cause and any location to start-up community activism.  Many Southwest Floridians strive to clean-up their neighborhoods and area beaches by organizing groups to pick up the liter that would have otherwise been left to spoil and decay.  Trash left along roadways or washed-up on beaches makes our natural playgrounds hazardous, which is why grassroots organizations, such as Adopt-a-Road programs and Keep Collier Beautiful, continue to grow and flourish.  But, more community activists are always welcomed and needed.  Learn how to establish a trash-talking group, and meet others who share a common goal for a cleaner and safer environment to live, work, and play.

Resources:

http://www.keepcollierbeautiful.com/
Keep Collier Beautiful, the organizers of Bay Days

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/

Ocean Conservancy, the home for the annual national Coastal Clean-up

http://www.adoptaroad.com/
Lee County Adopt-a-Road program

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/
Florida Department of Transportation

http://www.wm.com/
Waste Management, trash and waste removal

Writer/Producer: Rosie Emery

Cape Coral is home to Florida’s largest population of Burrowing Owls.  When development first began in this area and the land was clear-cut for homes, these owls found suitable habitat in the sandy soil of freshly cleared lots and set up residence.

Burrowing owls create burrows and also make use of abandoned ones.  However, with increased development, many of the vacant lots where the owls live and nest are being bulldozed and destroyed.

Some of the citizens of Cape Coral have banded together to help protect their feathered neighbors and to educate the public about them

Resources:

Pascha Donaldson
President Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife
ed.pascha@att.net
Website:
www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org
239 980 2593

For information on building regulations regarding Burrowing Owls:
Lori Blydenburgh
Planning Technician
City of Cape Coral
239 242 3204
lblydenb@capecoral.net

Writer/Producer: Rod Clarke

When they retired from medical practice a decade ago, Dr. William Lascheid and his wife Nancy, a nurse, their consciences wouldn't let them walk away from the working poor who needed help but didn't have health insurance. They opened the Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples, which has utilized volunteer medical professionals and public donations to serve more than 25,000 people.

Resources:

St.  Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy

St. Vincent DePaul Community Health Clinic

Neighborhood Health Clinic (Naples)

Volunteers in Medicine

• Has not having health insurance ever been a threat to you and someone in your family?
• Were you aware that many doctors, nurses and other health professionals volunteer their time at free or reduced cost health clinics? 

Writer/Producer: Rod Clarke

At the Corner of Easy Street and Gibraltar Road in Port Charlotte stands a beacon of hope to some 40,000 local residents who lack adequate health insurance. The St. Vincent de Paul Community Health Care Clinic and Pharmacy relies on volunteer doctors and nurses to provide free care to the uninsured, the homeless, the indigent.

Resources:

St.  Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy

St. Vincent DePaul Community Health Clinic

Neighborhood Health Clinic (Naples)

Volunteers in Medicine

• Has not having health insurance ever been a threat to you and someone in your family?
• Were you aware that many doctors, nurses and other health professionals volunteer their time at free or reduced cost health clinics? 

Writer/Producer: Rod Clarke

When Southwest Florida's economy went into a tailspin, thousands found themselves out of work, out of health insurance and denied access to the health care system. Rather than wait for national reform, doctors and other medical professionals across the region took action to make sure the needy received the care they need.

Resources:

St.  Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy

St. Vincent DePaul Community Health Clinic

Neighborhood Health Clinic (Naples)

Volunteers in Medicine

• Has not having health insurance ever been a threat to you and someone in your family?
• Were you aware that many doctors, nurses and other health professionals volunteer their time at free or reduced cost health clinics? 

• Know of any other groups of young people that are working to protect the environment in this region?
• How can we support young people as they work to protect the planet?

Writer/Producer: Rosie Emery Food that is grown both organically and locally is becoming more and more available to Southwest Floridians. In addition to food, membership in a Community Based Agriculture Farm such as Worden Farm can provide other perks such as food workshops and a friendly community.  A trip to your local Farmers Market is a fun outing complete with colorful characters, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as well as other locally produced items.  

Resources:

Naples Farmers Market:
http://naplesfarmersmarket.com/ Punta Gorda Farmers Market
http://www.wordenfarm.com

The Fort Myers Beach Market
Contact: Anita Cereceda
(239) 463-4293
E-mail: timessquarefmb@aol.com

Farms:

Somerset Organic Farms LaBelle
Carl Ream – V.P. Sales 239 253 6055
www.somersetorganicfarms.com

Worden Farm
Chris and Eva Worden (941) 637 4874
office@wordenfarm.com
Jenny and David Burd(239) 263 0424FriendlyBurds@aol.com

To learn how to reduce your families carbon footprint:
David Suzuki Foundation
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/What_You_Can_Do/carbon_neutral.asp?source=WhatYouCanDo 

Forum Topics

• In 2007, the New Oxford American dictionary’s word of the year was “locavore”  - a locavore is someone who eats food grown within a 100 mile radius of where they live, thereby reducing their carbon footprint and supporting the local economy.  Will the rise in gas prices encourage us to become locavores?
• What can you to reduce your carbon footprint? Do you know how you can offsetyour personal C02 contribution – gasoline, plane travel, air conditioning?
• Does the word “organic” confuse you, or have you been buying organic food for some time
• Do you think organic food is better for you or that it doesn’t make any difference?
  

U.S. Green Building Council: www.usbg.org/LEED/

Estuary Conservation Association: www.estuaryconservation.org

• How do you feel about making affordable housing also “green”?
• What have you done to green your home and/or yard 
• Should local governments create ordinances to encourage homeowners to have more environmentally friendly yards?