How do you feel about environmental groups??

[mrscharms]

I posted a while back ago..not sure when or even where...too many topics lol...but anyways, I joined the Chesapeake Bay Foundation...I have to attend 8 classes each held on a Monday night (there goes my Monday night shows!!!)...each one is 2-1/2 hours each.  I attended the open house last week and this past Monday was the first class...there were over 20 people there! And the weather was really bad.    I joined in order to learn...you know I need a lot of that!  I want to learn all about the Chesapeake Bay and how we can improve it...but I did see some things there that I did not like...people arguing....arguing about the flush tax...arguing about political things which I am NOT interested in....all in all, I left the class with a good feeling, but a lot of the people there seemed to be a little on the nasty side...but then again, a LOT more seemed to be so nice and helpful with any questions.  I am not interested in joining any political groups.  There was one guy there with his wife and he was very loud.  He lives on the Choptank River and I was so afraid of him but I wanted to ask him about crabbing on the Choptank River, as I would like to go there this year...are there even crabs there...but I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. 

So now I am questioning if I would even want to continue with this group...I am going back this Monday...I'll see how it goes...I don't give up too easily. 

I also heard that there is some kind of big sign I think near Smith Island that says "We Hate the Chesapeake Bay Foundation"....I do not want to get into any politics at all...I just wanted to find a place I could learn more about the bay.... is this what it has come to???

Janice

[Stevo]

IMHO, A lot of these groups are founded with great intentions, however, they quickly become overwhelmed by extremist opinions that halt the progress of desired results. They often seem to become a love-hate relationship to the community and mirror our government in wasting a tremendous amount of time, energy, and resources to get very little accomplished. To quote an old saying, they quickly become "To many Chiefs, with no Indians" Every one seems to want to argue about right and wrong, but very few actually have a solution.
I have participated in events ( not so much groups) such as Public Lands Day, and County Programs and see some merit and accomplishment to them.
As far as groups such as C.B.F. , I support them in theory, but not in effectiveness. I really feel I can do more just by educating the people on my boat, in my neighborhood, and my community the importance of protecting the Bay we are so proud to have in our backyards ( figuratively) for future generations to cherish, and possibly even effect thier livelyhood as it has many of us.
Looking even beyond the importance of its ecological importance.Many of us think of the Bay strictly as recreational without considering the tremendous amount of revenue it brings to the region.  The Bay is a enviromental, ecological, and economic responsibility that everyone in the region should hold close to thier core values being a member of the local landscape.

If we could all live like the Indians, with respect and dignity for earth and all forms of life, it would be such a simple solution. All we can do is our individual part and encourage others to do thiers.

[madcrab]

  It sounds like you've got some people at these CBF meetings that, because they can be heard, will be.  I'm not quite educated on the CBF...what they do...etc, but I'm sure they set out with good intentions.  BTW...yes...the Choptank is quite a good place to crab.  I know the local crabhouse by my neighborhood gets their crabs exclusively from the Choptank.  Keep up with going to the meetings.  Obviously you've already made up your mind in that you don't give up easily, and that you want to learn.  I say there is nothing to harm you, or anyone else, in attending these meetings.  Sure, you might learn a little more than you expected (especially about things you really aren't interested in...or maybe you are)...but these meetings WILL teach you want you want to learn.

  Yes, the Indians of bygone days are a good role model....BUT WE ARE NOT INDIANS (at least when you look at us as a whole).  I'm not saying this is a bad opinion Stevo....I just hope people don't get attached to this idealogy....as a whole, we would probably never be able to follow the "natural" ways presented by
Indian culture (we are too impure of a race with greed/wants...etc).  "The Bay is a enviromental, ecological, and economic responsibility"......EXACTLY!!!  Remember this folks...

[Crabslayer]

Many times there are hidden agendas.  One must be careful because before you know, legislation or court orders are imposed sometimes without the general public not even knowing that they took place.  This is how some of the "No Fishing Zones" were intoduced in SF Bay in CA. 

[mrscharms]

Thank you so much for your input, you guys.....I wish we could revert back to the old Indian ways...but I don't think that is possible on a large scale...but we can all do our little part in trying, at least.

I've done a lot of reading about the CBF over the weekend...they can't really be polical minded...in that they are a nonprofit organization..they can't donate to any candidates...but they are becoming more involved with politics...I'm going to continue with my classes because I did learn a lot...

And thanks for the info about the Choptank...we're definitely going to try that area this season!

Janice

[Crabslayer]

Janice, just because they are non-profit doesn't mean they can't sway public opinion.  They can hire lawyers and most importantly "Lobbyists".  It is the lobbyists that can influence the politicians in which way they vote.

[mrscharms]

Crabslayer...a lot of these groups, I have just found out over the weekend...will have  their nonprofit status lifted if they go out and lobby....I am still learning and boy, did I learn a lot this weekend!!! 

I have only one fear...the fear of development..this is imminent  where we live....this means more people....more waste...more fertilizers for lush green lawns!   I have learned one big thing..that there is too much nitrogen ooing into the bay....this is from too much fertilizer being used for lush green lawns for those who live on the rivers...I am sure there is more, but I  can only tackle one thing at a time or else I get confused....I don't want to be one of those holier than thou people....but when I read about how much filtering of the bay even one oyster does in a day...and now the oysters are at an all time low....it makes me really want to make a difference....one gal at our class last week pointed out that if you put ten oysters in a totally "blind" fishtank..that the water would clear out within 24 hours....not really "sure" of exactly what she said, but it sounded amazing...with the oyster population so low...this has to really affect the bay....I am tired and I am saying good night to all...I am just hoping that we can restore the bay to a  somewhat "live" zones,  rather than all of the dead zones  that the CBF has  pointed out....and I want to do it in a positive way....

Janice

[procrabber]

i find the CBF to be a very moderate organization. they are very political of course, but will side with the watermen in a heartbeat if they have the same cause. as for individuals, you always get a friutcake or two.  but i in general trust CBF.  they are not like peta or anything

[Crabslayer]

Crabslayer...a lot of these groups, I have just found out over the weekend...will have  their nonprofit status lifted if they go out and lobby....I am still learning and boy, did I learn a lot this weekend!!! 

Janice, that is not true.  Any 501(c)(3) corporation can lobby for puplic policy change.  It is garunteed by the Constitution of the USA.  Also IRS regulations also allow for this. There are certain laws and regulations that must be followed.  I know I have 18 years of Non-profit experience and this is one of my areas of expertise as a non-profit accountant.  I would be interested in knowing what source document is being referenced by whoever is providing you with the information.

[jack1747]

Janice, Find and read the findings from the "Maryland Tributary Teams".  You can start by searching Google.  Their latest reports are right on the money.  Way to much detail to go into here.  Some of the highlight are: New developments and new commercial isnt a big problem because of the "Storm Water Management" that has to be part of the development plan.  The big problem is old developments and commercial that do not have SWM.  Sewage treatment is not a problem, its the SWM that causes the sewage plants to overflow.  I was amazed at the new sewage treatment plants that are being built today.  I think there are two new ones just in the DelMar area.  Another concern today is the little farmettes (or larger properties up to 10 acres).  People that buy them have to have a horse, then two.  They do not know what to do with the manure or even who to ask for help.  Plus the two horses are more than the grass they have can support.  The horses graze the grass down to dirt... more run off.... 

Anyway its interesting reading.  And Yes, my comments above are off the top of my head from reading the reports and are out of context.

[jack1747]

btw, b4 you say anything about moving your topic , I did it because guests can not see posts in chitchat and i think this is an important topic.

[Boss Haus]

I joined last year but because of work can not go to meetings. If you dont like something you see there try to change it.