Originally Posted by Blueblaze (Post 2343030)

Well, that would make sense if the grass was really a foot high, like you say. But it's not, in any of the preserves I have seen. It's mowed regularly -- which gives the lie the notion that it's a "preserve". And they are NOT pretty. There are just grassy plains interrupted by a tortoise mound and a red flag, every 10 yards or so.

Yes, my property is a block from a "preserve", too, and I love the fact that there is a big tract of undeveloped land near me. I just pity the poor creatures who are imprisoned there in order to call it a "preserve". And I wish it wasn't so ugly.

If it's really a preserve, it should remain unmowed, and include a few trees and natural food sources for the inmates. In fact, there should be a program to check on the tortoises and insure that they're getting a proper diet in their little prison, so maybe they won't be so desperate to escape.

On the other hand, if it's just a tax dodge, my question is, why can't the tax dodge be "preserved", while also allowing low-impact use of the land, the same way the everglades is preserved? I take a walk every day. It would be nice to walk around the perimeter of a pretty nature preserve, instead of facing traffic in the golf cart lane of a busy street like Belle Meade.

And just one more point. Did you notice how every single responder found something to oppose in my pointing out the absurdity of mowing a "preserve"? I've noticed that every time someone suggests an improvement or problem in our community, it is always met with vociferous resistance on this forum. Does an old mind have to be a closed mind?

Originally Posted by kansasr (Post 2343059)

Since it is owned by a government entity, there is no tax “dodge”!

Originally Posted by huntervonmanley (Post 2343122)

Please do some real research before just typing stuff! Gophers(what us Floridians call them) Do Not live in shady oak tree forests. They live in open areas of sage grass, and pines and loose sandy soil. Never in my life seen a gopher hole in a shady area. Also, as someone else mentioned, many other animals use their holes for housing.

And the comment that there are more forests now than in the time of Columbus. Really? Maybe a higher number of planted trees, that's because we have obliterated lots of the natural forests. Planted pines does not constitute a forest. Here are the stats on forestation from the U.S. Forest Service...

In 1997, 302 million hectares— or 33 percent of the total land area of the United States— was in forest land. Today's forest land area amounts to about 70 percent of the area that was forested in 1630. Since 1630, about 120 million hectares of forest land have been converted to other uses—mainly agricultural.

Originally Posted by Blueblaze (Post 2343151)

The discussion concerns gopher TORTOISES, not gophers. Gopher tortoise - Wikipedia

If you skip down a few pages, you will discover that their natural is, and I quote: "...the most suitable habitats for gopher tortoise is the longleaf pine ecosystem..."

As far as arguments over the size of the forests 500 years ago vs. now, we could post competing sources all day to argue over one minor sentence, but I would rather discuss the point of the post, which is that the gopher tortoise "preserves" preserve nothing, and merely torment the inmates, while adding little value to The Villages, regardless of who "owns" them or why they were created.

If they are truly intended as nature preserves, then they should be treated as such. Instead of terrorizing the inmates with frequent mowing, the "preserves" should be improved to resemble the natural habitat of the animals they claim to preserve, which would have the side benefit of removing these ugly eyesores. They should be made into beautiful wild spaces, rather than just ugly enclosed fields where the inmates are tormented by mowing, poor diet, and overcrowding.

And if they are not truly nature preserves, then they should be made available for use by the Villagers whose home purchases paid for them.

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2343227)

You seem quite concerned. Will you be attending the next meeting of your CDD Board to discuss your concerns and make your suggestions?

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2343172)

Attachment 104586

Below is a picture of one of the many gopher tortoises I see when walking our dog at an area near our Villages home. In this area, they have a choice of burrowing their underground nests in wooded and shaded tree areas, deep unmowed grass, or in shorter mowed and trampled down areas in full sunlight. Apparently they prefer very short to no grass, full sunlight, and are not disturbed by mowing and foot traffic, and an occasional tennis ball being dropped into their underground home by a dog.

Note: somehow, when I edited the post the picture showed up on top of the post?

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2343278)

Interesting! This explains why at Fenney Nature Trail we regularly see yellow caution tape protecting the sunny sections of the sandy walking path that meanders around and through the shady areas under the many Live Oak trees. There’s always a sign posted next to these sectioned off areas warning walkers not to disturb the turtle nests, which are completely hidden underground.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2343393)

Gopher Tortoise Preserves?
Delicious on toasted English muffin, and served with Lady Grey tea, for a light breakfast served poolside.

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy (Post 2342982)

I have a Gopher Tortoise living under my front porch, he's been here about 2 years. My lawn is mowed, he grazes, where it's mowed. I use no poisons in the yard because he eats here.

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2343533)

Too dry and crunchy for senior citizens deteriorating teeth.