Here are some deer-lichen intensive hikes near Rocky Bayou and some ways for you to help save lichen, even if just by thinking about it. Updated the page in 2011.
Sites - local hikes
Explore forest paths with many deer lichens in Eglin AFB. Get a permit from Jackson Guard in Niceville.
- Range Rd. west of Pine St.
Park on Range Rd. near one of the paths into the forest. There are many branching intersecting paths here. The two-mile loop is compromised with road construction north of Pine Street.
- E College Blvd. at Forest Rd.
Site recommended by Choctawhatchee Bay Alliance (CBA) friend at nearby college. In April, 2011 the area is closed for construction.
Causes - consciousness, awareness, caretaking, activism, protection
Two issues that impact deer lichen are collection and destruction. The only deer lichen that is protected in our area is Cladonia perforata located on parts of Eglin Air Force Base on Santa Rosa Island in Okaloosa county. What do you think? Is it OK to collect or destroy deer lichen? Visit wholeo.net to learn more and send comments.
- Eglin AFB resource management - collection
From 2010 and 2011 annual map and regulations, Section VIII. Forest Products and Permits, B. Additional Personal Use Forest Products Permits, Deer Moss permit. Cost $1.00 per load. May be collected in any open area on Eglin AFB. Natural Resources Office (Jackson Guard) 107 Highway 85 North, Niceville FL 32578, phone 850-882-4164. Who gets it? Why does Eglin protect and propagate heritage Longleaf pines but let its precious deer lichen go? I object to this free use of a public resource that I would like conserved. The office person said a trivial amount of deer lichen was removed, it is not an issue, it is not monitored, rules are not enforced. I would like to have this permit removed.
- Deer Lake State Park new paths - destruction
In previous years a nature path north of Scenic Highway 30-A in Deer Lake State Park has wound through the forest and on old logging roads through, but not impacting large growths of deer lichen. In February 2010 the path was rerouted through the forest, crushing many old growth patches of deer lichen. The ranger responsible said the destruction was unavoidable. He had obtained permission from a biologist in Panama City. Members of the volunteer group Friends of Deer Lake State Park also think there is so much deer moss, it is everywhere, that killing it is not a problem. In fact, they expressed pleasure in treading over the light spongy puffs. "It's like walking on air" or some such idea. However, I had permission to relocate the crushed lichen from the paths to similar areas nearby in the forest. In 2011 the newer path is being widened.About
Lookout 2007, sites, Lookout 2009, Perspectives, Lookout 2010, Estuary Festival 2010, or Lookout 2011.
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lich...@wholeo.net
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