“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, one finds it attached to the rest of the world.” — John Muir Every city must have a publication like Orlando Weekly. It’s an independent-ish publication that defines itself by not being the big paper in town and looks at the world through a lens vaselined with – often unnecessary – cynicism. You’re town has one too, right? I never miss an acerbic issue of the Weekly.
In the most recent issue, I ran across an item that changed my plans for the coming weekend. In their weekly column “Happytown” was an item about Florida Forever Coalition staging hikes throughout the state of Florida to bring awareness to public land acquisition. The preamble to the piece asks “Shouldn’t all activism be this easy?” and I couldn’t agree more.
Florida Forever and its predecessor, Preservation 2000, have managed to protect more than 2.4 million acres of land in our beautiful state. That’s land set aside that isn’t in danger of becoming another redundant (and, in Orlando at least, empty) condo building or strip mall or amusement park, well, you get the idea. The group is composed of “more than 100 diverse organizations that support conservation, environmental protection and recreation needs across Florida.”
Could a demonstration get any more peaceful than this? On Saturday, February 20, you and others will simply hike down one of the trails on the very land that is subject of the day. How does that help the cause? Well, of course you’ll tell your friends what you doing that day and that helps pass the word. Also everyone joining together to use the trails on this specific date gives Florida Forever a reason to alert the media, which in turn makes a point to our state government.
To find a hike near you, visit Support Florida Forever and you’ll find “Take a Hike, Florida!” under “Upcoming Events.” Below is information about the one my man Brendan and I will be participating in. I hope you will join us!
Little Econ State Forest, Flagler Trailhead
3290 Snowhill Road
Chuluota, FL 32766
Saturday, February 20, 10:00 AM
Contact info: info@supportfloridaforever.org/850.567.3393
Making a statement that doesn’t cost you a dime and improves your mental and physical health? Who can resist?
I’ll follow my hike up with a blog entry about the day and maybe a photo or two!
