83 replies to this topic

[Not a Folsom Snob]

Hi everyone,
Sorry that our turtle platform is not floating well yet! It was put there by a girl scout troop trying to create a basking area for the pond's turtle population. Their options grow very limited as the lake dries up during the summer. It is designed to lay flat on the water's surface once it becomes water-logged - I know it looks like a boat ramp right now. If you could please be patient and hopefully it will float flat soon and not even be noticable. We might try to put some water in the buckets to level it off - just havn't had a chance yet.

That lake has never dried up during the summer

[Agent_007]

This is rediculous, it's already been clarified that it's for a girl scouts project. Leave it the hell alone. I'm sure some very proud kids made that and you are basically telling them it is crap and you want to remove it. I bet you would tell the neighborhood kids to take down their tree house because it is an eyesore.

no, you're wrong.

if you go to the lake and look at it as it stands now the project looks like construction debris which I have personally cleaned from the pond in the past.

as i stated it's an eyesore. i am not against the idea or project so tough it up and respect someone's opinion. it's purely an opinion.

if they want to tie some logs together and create a "natural" raft, sun bathing area for turtles, then go for it.

you can't stop the turkey hawks that hover around the lake, lift up turtles to the sky and drop them to the road so they can eat. so you're desire to "protect" nature is a human trait and nature will win in the end.

i live near the lake, am a conservationist, teach my kids about nature often and walk around the pond with my kids and dog often.

my issue is with something that looks like debris. if it were more "natural" i wouldn't care.

sorry for offending you with my opinion. i didn't know you were the almighty opinion judgement master. please forgive me.

[TheWeimGuy]

[Agent_007]

Here's another thought. I'm not sure how many of you have any experience with girl scout troops-but those of you who do--know how hard it is to to things. The movements of girls scout troops are carefully monitored and leaders it seems are constantly on alert for people questioning their motives and such. It's hard just to get a troop out to a park. The paperwork is ridiculously cumbersome. The fact that the troop did-and is trying to earn a conservation badge is admirable. Just building the turtle fort is not enough to earn that badge. They will have to interview park rangers and --blah blah the list goes on.

This I think is a worthwhile endeavor--to teach rather than allow another child to grown up ignorant of animals. If you really find the platform objectionalble- maybe we should discuss a way to help that troop make it less of an eyesore- as well as more helpful to the turtles. What do you say? Anyone willing to committ to this? Why not Pm that scout leader and see what that troop would say. I'm sure the kids would think it's great that their actions brought out a few civically minded community members interested in a girlscout troop!!!

there used to be an annual pond clean up day where neighbors would spend a few hours on Earth Day and clean the debris from the lake and clean the shore line.

It would be great if the GS troop organized a similar type of event and got more people interested in their project and engaged in conservation. This is a great way to spend time in nature, see up front how humans damage natural ecosystems, and how we together can work to change the way people interact with nature.

as an addition to the GS project, they can spend time at the pond, identify what nature exists their and make signs to post along the path to educate people how alive the area is and how human actions can help or hinder that area.

many people would benefit from knowing that in our little nature area we have fish, turtles, frogs (plenty o frogs), owls, bats, hawks, geese, ducks, field mice, snakes (king and rattle), herons and many more.

this type of project would reach more people and have a greater, long term impact.

if the GS troop wants to discuss funding for this project PM me. I'll be happy to contribute from my business and help raise money with you. I am sure you will find many of my neighbors receptive to such an endeavor. your conservation effort will be memorable for years to come.

[Agent_007]

Exactly my point, it is something that kids built. It is not going to look perfect. But whatever, you seem to know all about this stuff. Do you allow your kids to have imaginations?

when you can't speak to the issue, attack the person. great way to argue your point. you win.

and you don't even live in the area near the pond.

[tgianco]

I spoke exactly to the issue. You personally have problems with stuff that doesn't belong in nature being there. No matter what it is and who put it there. You now know that it is a girl scout project and you still want to remove it because it doesn't look good and the fragile ecosystem is going to be ruined. Don't you have some SUV's to go blow up...

Your attack on this guy, new to the forum and bringing up something that he didn't know about, is way off base. Nice assumption on this guy!

Did I change my opinion knowing it's a Girl Scout project? Yeah, but it's nice that he is willing to help make it look a little better.

By the way (and this goes out to ALL of you), just because Girl Scouts do something (and I support Girl Scouts...how lame is it that I have to even qualify my response?, but your're a bunch of humorless effs) does NOT make it right.

[mylo]

Who knew people cared so much about nature?



^-- That's a good looking turtle platform!

[tgianco]

Who knew people cared so much about nature?



^-- That's a good looking turtle platform!

Just so people are clear, that's not a picture of the one in Folsom.

I am happy to hear the Girl Scouts taking on a project like this (very cool), and neighbors offering to help should be welcomed (as I'm sure they will) since they get/ have to look at it everyday.

[Agent_007]

[folsom500]

I do not see what the issue is --- a small location within a very large pond / lake put up for the benefit of both the GS and the turtles seems reasonable to me ...
If they need some help tethering it down - I can do that -- if that helps to please you ...

suggest you blow it up with your RPG that you likely have - or just let it go - as it seems good for the kids and good for the turtles -

I would be more concerned with that Trailer in the background sitting on city property with no vehicle attached - and likely longer than 3 days - code enforcemet can be reached at 355 7229

cheers
F500

[Al Waysrite]

I'm all for anyone doing things to increase the world's supply of turtles.

Attached Files

•  turtles.jpg   18.62K   31 downloads

[mylo]

This actual* picture was taken just this afternoon!


* may not be real

[Orangetj]

How did they get that out in the water? Did they pull it out there with some kind of a boat or did they shove it off from the land? Can you put a kayak in that pond? If so, I'll bet I could catch some bass out there!

[tgianco]

How did they get that out in the water? Did they pull it out there with some kind of a boat or did they shove it off from the land? Can you put a kayak in that pond? If so, I'll bet I could catch some bass out there!

Yes, you can put a kayak in, and, yes, I saw someone pull out some pretty big fish last summer.

[TheWeimGuy]

That's what you guys are b!tching about?

A half sheet of plywood sticking up out of the water which is part of a Girl Scouts project for a few turtles? Which is going to last how long? A few months? A real inconvenience you're going through.

Find a new argument.