Peter Crowley

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has called this region home since we opened our doors in 1955. As scientists who study the Gulf of Mexico and educators who teach the public about this unique body of water, we understand why you have chosen this area to purchase your new property.

Buying property is an important decision at anytime. Buying property right now, however, may come with some additional questions given the environmental concerns caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

All of us at Mote share your concerns. Will oil directly impact our coastal communities? What will happen to the animals that live in the Gulf of Mexico?

There are no easy answers to these questions. But there are some things you should know.

Southwest Florida is more than 300 miles (480 kms) away from the spill's epicenter. That means oil will have to travel far to reach our shores. In the meantime, it will be at the mercy of ocean currents and weather patterns that are much more likely to carry it elsewhere.

A more likely occurrence – if we see any impacts at all – would be the appearance of oil that is degraded, such as ”floating tar balls and / or scattered patches of weathered oil, perhaps mixed with Sargassum (algae) or other floating material,” according to NOAA. This is much easier(and faster) to clean up.

Each Florida county bordering the Gulf of Mexico – including those in Southwest Florida – has coordinated, carefully reviewed action plans in place to respond, should weathered oil begin affecting our shores.

The hundreds of employees, thousands of volunteers and members of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium look to the Gulf of Mexico for sustenance and recreation. Mote has been here for 55 years and we will remain here – vigilant in our efforts to understand and protect the Gulf of Mexico.

This region is our home – our habitat, if you will. We are committed to the Gulf itself and to playing and important role in it's conservation.

More Online

Find out how Mote scientists are responding to the spill and how you can help at www.mote.org/oilresponse.
View Mote's Beach Conditions Report at www.mote.org/beaches.

Habitat for Humanity moved up three spots to eighth on Builder Magazine’s “Builder 100” list for 2009. As for-profit builders struggle, Habitat has been shielded from many of the market pressures that have confounded for-profit builders. With a steady supply of no-wage volunteers, a donation-based operating model and a niche market of carefully screened low-income home buyers, the nonprofit has been able to weather the housing industry’s downturn.

Habitat for Humanity International welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. Habitat accrued 5,294 new-house closings nationally in 2009. The group repaired 710 homes in the U.S. and around the world built 23,657 new homes and rehabilitated or repaired 37,348 houses.

Habitat for Humanity hasn’t had a problem with foreclosures, as it serves as the lender for its homeowners, providing zero percent interest loans and fixed payments capped at 30% of income. Since its main goal is to keep homeowners in their homes and not to make a profit the organization is able to modify loans and help homeowners reshape their budgets. Their goal is to give people an opportunity to own their own homes and break the cycle of poverty. The fixed monthly payments are affordable so people are less likely to default. Beneficiaries must contribute a small amount financially and commit to sweat equity, which means helping with the project on their home or another Habitat project.

In 2009 in Manatee County, Habitat for Humanity completed the 100th home in its 16 year existence there. On August 21st it began construction at Hope Landing, which will be an 18-home subdivision in Ellenton, Florida. Manatee Habitat has also started a new initiative called A “Brush With Kindness”. This program offers low-income homeowners help with maintaining the exterior of their Homes by providing painting, yard work or minor roof or siding repair.

In Sarasota County, 2009 saw Habitat for Humanity, Sarasota, build 197 homes since its inception in 1985. Jordan’s Crossing, a development of 79 single-family homes across from Tuttle Elementary School, was completed in June 2009. The organization has joined forces with Sarasota County on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a federally funded initiative to provide low to moderate-income families the opportunity to own rehabilitated, foreclosed and abandoned homes.

RE/MAX Alliance Group has given its support to Habitat for Humanity since it’s formation by organizing and participating in fundraising events as well as volunteering on projects in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

1. Appliances. Updating your home’s appliances to Energy Star Qualified appliances could save you as much as $150 per year in energy costs. Appliance usage makes up 18% of a household energy bill and the newer, EPA approved appliances use 10% - 50% less energy and water than older models.
2. Heating/Cooling. Our warm climate on Florida's west coast results in air conditioners running most of the year and as a result, almost half of a home’s energy consumption is from heating and cooling. Keeping your thermostat set at 68 degrees and cooler in the winter and 78 degrees and warmer in the summer saves 3% - 5% in energy. A programmable thermostat helps maintain these temperatures.
3. Water. With an annual dry season, water conservation on Florida's suncoast is a must. There are several ways to conserve water in your household. Using an aerator on all faucets can cut annual water consumption by 50% and a low flow toilet uses only 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to 3.5 gallons used in older models. Also changing water usage habits help as well; turning off the water when you brush your teeth will save 4.5 gallons of water each time.
4. Cleaning. Use cleaning supplies that have eco-friendly, rather than toxic ingredients. Read labels and look for products that contain grain alcohol rather than toxic butyl cello solve (window cleaners) and plant oils rather than petroleum (detergents).
5. Lighting. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) that use 66% less energy and last up to 10 times longer. This change alone can also save you $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
6. Paper. Look for greeting cards, toilet paper and many other paper products that are made “tree-free” with 100% post-consumer recycled paper or unbleached paper (the bleaching process creates harmful byproducts).
7. Flooring. Instead of hardwood floors that use woods from trees that take 50 – 100 years to mature, use bamboo which replenishes itself rather quickly, maturing in 4 – 6 years. Also look for products and installations that use glue that does not contain formaldehyde.
8. Plastic. The processing and burning of petroleum-made plastics is considered one of the main contributors to global warming. Polyethylene plastic grocery bags and water bottles filling up our landfills increase greenhouse gasses. Bring re-usable cloth bags with you to the stores and ditch the plastic water bottles for refillable bottles.
9. Paint. According to the EPA, conventional paints contain solvents, toxic metals and volatile organic compounds that are released into the air while you’re painting, while the paint dries and even after the paint is dry that cause smog, ozone pollution and indoor air quality problems. Most paint manufacturers now offer zero or minimally toxic paint options.
10. Gardening. Use compost for fertilization which provides all of the soil organisms and nutrients needed for healthy soil without the chemicals in synthetic commercial fertilizers. Healthy soil also minimizes the growth of weeds, which in turn prevents pest problems, reducing the need to control both. Better methods include using organic pest control products including diatomaceous earth to kill insects, using beer to bait slugs and pouring boiling water on weeds. Also, use native plants in your landscaping as much as possible because they need less water and attention.

REMAX Alliance Group is a Certified Green Business Partner, offering a Certified Green Team of Agents whose expertise in eco-friendly real estate assist buyers and sellers who value homes that are energy-efficient and environ­mentally friendly.

Last week I attended a specially held meeting at Mote Marine Laboratory to discuss the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its potential threat to our Southwest Florida coastline. In attendance were a handful of area real estate leaders as well as Kumar Mahadevan, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory, and Ed McCrane, Emergency Management Chief for Sarasota County.

I walked away from the meeting with a handful of comforting impressions. First and foremost, the threat of oil directly impacting the coastline in Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte counties is minimal with less than a 1% chance according to this map released by NOAA .

Several factors contribute to this analysis, but most importantly, the direction of Gulf currents reduce the likelihood of oil washing ashore on our area beaches.

The second overwhelming impression I experienced was how fortunate we were to have Mote Marine Laboratory and the dedicated scientists and staff right in our own back yard. From day one of the oil leak, Mote Marine has been proactively seeking to provide input and analysis to assist with the response in the panhandle as well as prepare for a potential threat to our coastline. Dr. Mahadevan pointed out something interesting during the discussion – our area is fortunate that we have the benefit of time to take baseline measures of water quality and wildlife quantity throughout the aquatic areas locally. Those areas closer to the spill site, Louisiana for example, did not have the benefit of time and will have a difficult time assessing the true damage without a baseline to compare. The volunteers and scientists at Mote Marine stand at the ready, prepared to assist in whatever capacity and I am proud that such an organization exists in our community.

When asked what “we” can do to assist Mote Marine in their efforts, Dr. Mahadevan’s response was quite simple:

1) Donate to Mote Marine Laboratory since it is a privately funded institution, and

2) Inform as many people as you can of the accurate information regarding the oil spill and its unlikely direct impact on our area beaches.

Another reason to feel fortunate for living in our local community, is the caliber of preparedness and preparation that our local government exhibits through their Emergency Management division. While we typically think of this group responding to hurricane threats and response, they are equally vigilant in their preparation for a potential threat of oil landing on our coastline. Again, Mr. McCrane stressed the benefit of time that our area has to monitor, prepare and learn from the ongoing recovery efforts to ensure the most effective response in the unlikely event that the oil reaches our shores. Another interesting fact is that many beach goers may be fooled into thinking that “tar balls” have landed on the beach, when in fact they are looking at naturally occurring aquatic life known as tunicates or “sea squirts.”

It is no secret that our area beaches are one of the most precious resources in our community. Our white sand is the reason that millions vacation here and many decide to stay permanently and live in paradise. This group of area real estate leaders simply wanted to know “What can we do to help?” and do our part to preserve the pristine coastline that we are fortunate to call home. This article is one small part to provide some accurate and non-sensational information to you, the reader.

Please pass this information along so that we can get the word out that Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County beaches are as beautiful as ever and open for business!