Make A Resolution To Be More Wildlife Friendly
January 1, 2013
The tradition of the New Year’s Resolutions dates back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was said to have two faces which allowed him to look back on past events and forward to the future.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect on the issues of the past and resolve to do better in the upcoming year. The 2010 Gulf oil spill had a devastating impact on local wildlife. Florida is a state renowned for its diverse and unique ecosystems. But rapid development and environmental disasters, particularly in coastal areas, is continuing to destroy wildlife habitat. Resolve to be more wildlife-friendly in 2012 by following these easy tips from the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.
Provide food
Select plants with seeds, fruit, foliage, or flowers that butterflies, birds, and other wildlife like to eat. Berries, fleshy fruits, nuts, and acorns are all treats for many animals.
Supply water
Any water you provide will attract wildlife. You could have running water in the form of a natural feature, such as a pond, creek, or other body of fresh water, but a fountain or birdbath will also beckon wildlife. Empty and clean your birdbath every few days. Do not clean it with soap or bleach—just physically scrub all surfaces with a brush or scouring-type sponge. Change the water regularly to prevent mosquito breeding and bacterial contamination.
Leave snags
Leave snags, which are the trunks of dead trees, in place if they do not create a hazard. Many birds use snags for perching, nesting, and feeding. Snags are often removed from yards or land mistakenly thought of as no longer having value. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A tree’s full life cycle at this point, is far from over.
Manage pets
If you permit pets to harass or kill wildlife, you will only hinder any efforts you make toward attracting wildlife. This is especially true for cats allowed outdoors.
Reduce insecticide use
Each time you apply an insecticide to your landscape, you reduce insect populations, which form an important food source for birds. Some chemicals can also poison birds and other animals that feed on affected insects.
Reduce the amount of mowed lawn area
Unmowed areas can contain more plant species than mowed areas, providing more potential food sources and habitat for wildlife. Reduce the mowed area around your house, especially in low-traffic areas, such as corners of the yard.
Increase vertical layering
Plant a variety of plants in different sizes and heights to provide more cover and feeding opportunities for diverse species of wildlife.
By following the simple tips in this chapter, your Florida-Friendly lawn and garden can become a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as part of a migratory passage between one wild space and another. Animals need to move from place to place, just like people. They have trouble traveling in heavily urban and suburban landscapes, but you can help them by joining your Florida-Friendly yard with others in the neighborhood to create a “natural corridor”—a safe, traversable route between woodlands, wetlands, or other wild areas.
For more specific information, visit the University of Florida/IFAS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscaping_for_wildlife or call your local Extension Office.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Larry “LP” Powell
January 1, 2013
Mr. Larry “LP” Powell, age 68, of Powell Circle, Flomaton, passed away Sunday, December 30, 2012, at his residence after a brief illness. He was a native and life long resident of Flomaton. Mr. Powell was of the protestant faith. He was a 1962 graduate of Flomaton High School, a member of the 1961 Allstate football team, and a U.S. Marine veteran.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Linda Fayette Powell.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Powell of Brewton; two sons, Paul (Kerrie) Powell of Castleberry and Corrie (Annette Massey) Powell of Jay; four daughters, Melinda Powell of Highland Home, Ala., Trisha Powell of Jay, Candice (Jerry) Carnley of Pineview, Ala., Kim (John) Mustin of New York City, NY; three brothers, Mickey Powell of Flomaton, Tony Powell of Pensacola, and Kenny Powell of Flomaton; one sister, Dianne Stafford of Colorado Springs, Colorado; ten grandchildren, Kyle Sebestyen, Morgan Powell, Cody Chance, Marcus Wallace, Jerry Carnley III, Mia Kress, Morgan Mustin, Cooper Carnley, Henry Mustin, and Sinclair Mustin; and one great-grandchild, Carsyn Powell.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 2, 2012, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, January 3, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Richburg and speaker Roy Tatum officiating.
Interment will follow in Catawba Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Bonnie Lucille (Dyal) Luddusaw
January 1, 2013
Bonnie Lucille (Dyal) Laddusaw, age 65, of Dixonville, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 29, 2012. Mrs. Laddusaw was a long time resident of Jay. She was a member of Cornerstone Church and a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend to many.
She was preceded in death by her parents Edna and Leamon Dyal Jr.; brother, Michael Hernandez Jr.; and sister, Gloria Annette Dyal.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Darrell “Dutch” Laddusaw; daughter, Deanna Hart; son, Darrell Jr. (Jana) Laddusaw; brother, Bobby (Teresa) Dyal; mother-in-law, Gloria Dyal; step-brothers, Greg Fleming and Larry Fleming; grandchildren, Meagan DeAnne (Timothy) Catania, Christina Hart, Christian Hart, Emily Laddusaw, Marybeth Laddusaw and Abigail Laddusaw; nieces, Kristy Dyal Brand and Caitlin Branson; nephew, Buck Branson, brother-in-laws, Ronnie (Carol) Laddusaw, James (Karen) Laddusaw, Doug (Sherry) Laddusaw, Argell Laddusaw, Roland Mau, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at Cornerstone Christian Church (Formerly Jay Assembly of God Church) in Jay with Rev. Fredrick Barrow and Ernie Calhoun officiating.
Burial was at the Dixonville Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Eddie Padget, Charles Carter, Oscar Scarborough, John Strength, Jimmy Calhoun and Rod Phillips. Honorary pallbearer was Phil Calhoun.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.