Miami Blue ACTION!

[Ron Gatrelle]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Foley" <patfoley at csus.edu>
Subject: Re: Miami Blue ACTION!


> Ron,
>
> If the butterfly is listed, then the agency in charge of the site will
> certainly have to find a way to ward off any "watching" activity that
results
> in damage to the critical habitat.
>
> Listing is not a matter of what would be convenient for you or me or J
> Glassberg. It is a matter of ascertaining the level of vulnerability of
the
> species.
>
> Patrick Foley
> patfoley at csus.edu
>

This is absolutely true.  My point is that it is a gross impression many
have that "listing" is some magic bullet that equals "salvation" of an
organism.  Too many people in the masses see listing as The Goal.  So that
when it is accomplished the job is done as far as they are concerned.

In the case of this butterfly at hand it is already in a State Park where
it can not be collected.  So collecting poses no danger to it there.  Next,
there have been reports that the minimum wage types parks hire to prune the
places have already cut down scraggly ol' Balloon Vine.  If so, it is in
danger from the uninformed "stewards" of the park.  Listing will not stop
Joe the Weed Guy from knowing not to cut any Balloon Vine or Nickerbean in
the park.   Listing will not close the park which is the only way to insure
no one ends up sitting on one on a park bench or stepping on one while it
is at the mud puddle outside the door to the Park restroom.

Listing may well create so much red tape that any easy means and programs
to propagate the taxon elsewhere will be greatly hindered or impossible.
A million dollar program and full staff could probably be arranged though.
The Atala was "saved" in south Florida by A) it's rediscovery by collectors
and B) the efforts of local gardeners and naturalists.   This is a "weedy"
species of butterfly and its needs are not complex or acute.  It is not
like the Schaus Swallowtail in needing a very special eco niche.

Pat, in your statement that "Listing is not a matter of what would be
convenient for you or me or J Glassberg. It is a matter of ascertaining the
level of vulnerability of the species.", the problem is that it is not a
lack of listing that permitted the abusive problem at the State Park -- It
is the incompetence of the PARK.   How can this Park be so unaware of this
unique organism while the US Dept. of the Interior is considering listing
it as an endangered species?   I find the bottom line fault not with the
watchers, or Glassberg, or lack of listing or what have you.   I find total
culpability with people who manage our state and federal parks with
attitudes and awareness levels of Theme Park managers.  Tourism is still #
ONE in Florida!!!   Come see the rare coral, birds, reptiles, and
butterflies.   Who or what is going to "protect" the Miami Blue from that
attitude - listed or not?

Ron




 
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