Various counties are working on bringing back what they call the “Old Florida” feel. They are bringing back nature from the way that it used to be for the locals and tourists to experience and enjoy. St. Johns County is working on making the area they have look like they way it did to the Native Americans and the explorers who came through. Public access will be allowed through out the place. They expect that people will be able to walk, jog, bike and even go horse back riding. While areas around it will be eventually developed for homes, community center and with the trails going through the area, there will be a one and half mile wide area that will not be touch and left undeveloped.  The money to help develop and preserve this area comes from the tree bank fund from which developers have to pay into if they do not replace the required number of trees on the property that they have cut down for development. This fund goes towards conservation and natural preserve areas, so using it to create this piece of wildlife haven for both the wildlife to be protected and for people to enjoy, works.

         In Stuart, Florida, at the Halpatiokee Regional Park, land was purchase in 1989 with county and state funds after residents voted for a half cent tax towards conservation. Now, that land is getting ready to be made available to the public to enjoy. This is a 357 acre refuge that was purchase through this conservation effort. Two man made lakes have been created for recreational fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. It contains freshwater grass, pickerelweed and spike rush to create a marsh. There will be access to the St. Lucie River. Throughout the park, there are going to be hiking and biking paths as well as various camp grounds for all to enjoy. The conservationists here are also trying to do the same as St. John; bring back the old feel of Florida, while preserving the land for the wildlife and letting the public enjoy it all the same.  Both counties are stepping up in efforts to preserve the land around them and help the wildlife by building corridors around the land to keep them safe. Their conservation efforts are going to be well received and the nature recreation availability in the area will increase.

http://www.jacksonville.com/community/shorelines/2009-06-20/story/trail_will_bring_old_florida_to_nocatee-area_travelers

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jun/23/southern-addition-to-halpatiokee-to-give-old/

A former warship, USS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, that was used in World War Two and the Cold War has been sunk about seven miles off the Key West coast to create an artificial reef. It was a project commissioned to protect the current reefs from further exploration and damage. It allows these reefs to flourish with out the pressures of fishing and over diving. The artificial reef will be open to all and is expected to last over 100 years with lots of long time habitats of various marine species.   The main intention of the sinking is to protect current reefs, but it will attract many tourists and boost the tourism economy in the area. It will be the second largest intentionally sunk reef in the world. The sinking of the ship was successful and the reef itself is expected to be as well.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/27/ship.sinking.reef/

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1073207.html

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/31/content_11458853.htm

         Many people in Florida are aware of the variety wildlife that surrounds and live among us. Most though, are not aware of the Black Bear. Black Bears can be found in the Florida wild; more so in southwest Florida. Unfortunately, as humans are sprawling more and more, we are infringing onto the Black Bear habitat. This leads to new backyard visitors. You might be used to raccoons foraging through your garbage at night. Some are seeing Black bears coming into their homes. One incident resulted in a "nuisance bear" having to be euthanized because it was going into people's homes foraging for food. It was pushed out of its natural habitat and was trying to simply survive.
         The Naples Zoo has created a Black Bear Hammock. Its purpose is to educate visitors on who their neighbors are and how to keep them out of their backyards safely. They set up two different style habitats. One shows them living life in the wild normally in their natural habitat. The other has them living in a backyard showing how they are able to adapt to man-made products and their garbage. The habitats are set up to try and show how easily it is for a Black Bear to be among humans and to tell you how to prevent that in a way that is good for both parties. They are a species that we pushed out of their homes to make room for ours. Now, you have to help them stay adapted to what little wildlife they may have left in the area that they are in.

Sources:

http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-1434-Black_Bear_Hammock_at__Naples_Zoo_Features_a_Natural_and_a_Backyard_Habitat

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090516/NEWS01/905160315/+Nuisance+bear++is+euthanized