Page 18 - Jupiter Spotlight - October '24

Page 18, Jupiter Spotlight

Financial Focus ® Northern Notes

Gopher Tortoises them where you may catch a glimpse of a tortoise.
Vote For Solid Investment By Katie Roundtree, Northern’s environmental team works hard to maintain
these pristine natural lands so that native animals and
Strategies Director of Finance and plants can thrive for years to come.
Administration, Northern Because gopher tortoises are protected in Florida,
By Sally Sima Stahl Palm Beach County handling and relocation of gopher tortoises is illegal unless
With the presidential Improvement District conducted under a valid permit issued by the Florida Fish
election just a few Gopher tortoises are and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). An FWC
weeks away, the public one of five North American relocation permit must be obtained before disturbing
is naturally interested in tortoise species and one of burrows and conducting construction activities. Lucas
not just the outcome but the oldest living species on Schaffer, Northern’s environmental manager, has taken
what the results will mean the planet. They are the only courses and is certified as a Gopher Tortoise Authorized
for issues of national tortoise found naturally east Agent. As such, he is allowed by the FWC to survey, trap,
importance. As a citizen, of the Mississippi River. It is transport and relocate tortoises as necessary.
you likely share these a state-designated threatened species in Florida and is found It is illegal to kill, harass or destroy gopher tortoises;
concerns—but how about in parts of all 67 Florida counties. The gopher tortoise is however, if you see a tortoise crossing a busy road, FWC
as an investor? After the about nine to eleven inches long when fully grown and is a grants permission to move the gopher tortoise across the
votes are counted—or even before—should you make tan, brown or gray color. Juveniles tend to be lighter brown road in the same direction as it was heading as long as it is
some moves in anticipation of possible changes in policy? and yellow-orange. Once they reach adulthood, they can safe for you to do so. Do not move the tortoise to another
Let’s look at the big picture first, through the lens of live almost 90 years! They are identifiable by their stumpy, location or put it in a car, as this constitutes illegal possession.
history. The financial markets have performed well—and elephant-like hind feet and flattened, shovel-like forearms If you see a sick or injured tortoise, contact a local wildlife
at times, not so well—under Democratic and Republican covered in thick scales. These shovel-like forearms are used rehabilitator, such as Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, at (561) 575-
presidents alike. And the same is true about which party to dig extensive burrows for homes. 3399 for assistance. Source: myfwc.org.
controlled Congress. As their name insinuates, gopher tortoises spend almost
While it might be an overstatement to say that decisions 80 percent of their time in burrows. Burrows average about
made in Washington have no effect on the markets, it’s 15 feet long and about 6 1/2 feet deep. Gopher tortoises are
not always so easy to draw a direct line between what ectotherms which depend on their environment to maintain
happens there and how the markets perform. For one their body temperature. Their burrows help maintain a stable
thing, political candidates often make promises that are temperature and protect them from extreme temperatures
not fulfilled, or, if they are, have different results than and fire. Here in South Florida, they are active all year
intended. Also, other institutions can have a significant round. In contrast, in colder parts of Florida, they remain in
impact on the markets. For example, the Federal Reserve, their burrows during cold winter months. Gopher tortoises
which controls short-term interest rates, can certainly are keystone species because their burrows provide shelter
affect many market sectors. And there will always be and provide refuge for more than 350 other species,
external events, such as foreign conflicts and even such as burrowing owls,
natural disasters, that can make short-term impacts on mice, indigo snakes, rabbits,
the investment world. opossums, foxes, gopher
So, rather than making changes to your portfolio in frogs and invertebrates.
anticipation of what might happen if certain candidates Becaus e of their Fun fact: April 10 is Gopher Tortoise Day! On this
get elected, or even in response to actual policy changes, burrowing needs, they prefer day every year we raise awareness and appreciation for
look to other factors to drive your investment decisions. well-drained, sandy soils in the gopher tortoise and all the benefits they provide to
These factors should include the following: habitats such as longleaf the ecosystem. You can help celebrate Gopher Tortoise
• Your goals – You probably have short- and long- pine sandhills, scrub, pine Day by hosting an event in your community, asking your
term goals you’d like to achieve. For your short-term flatwoods, dry prairies and local city or county commission to formally adopt April
goals, such as a wedding, a down payment on a house or coastal dunes. They are also 10 as Gopher Tortoise Day, and educating others on the
a long vacation, you may want to invest in instruments found in urban areas, as many of their natural habitats have importance of protecting gopher tortoises. Or simply
that provide stability of principal. For your long-term been developed by humans. A habitat with well-drained admire a gopher tortoise from a distance and observe how
goals, most important of which may be a comfortable soil, abundant plants to forage, and open sunny areas is ideal they get around!
retirement, you’ll need to own a reasonable number of for gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises are herbivorous and NPDES tip: Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, limbs
growth-oriented investments. feed on low-growing plants. They may drink water pooled or garden debris in swales – this adds pollutants which can
• Your risk tolerance – When you build and maintain after rainstorms, but most of their water needs are supplied wash into downstream waters. Do not park vehicles in the
your investment portfolio, you’ll need to accommodate from the plants they eat. swale – this compacts the soil so less runoff soaks in.
your individual risk tolerance. All investments carry Locally, there are large populations of gopher tortoises Photos by Lucas Schaffer, NPBCID
some type of risk, but you need to be comfortable with in preserves maintained by Northern within Abacoa and
the overall risk level of your investments. Botanica. Some of Abacoa’s preserves have trails within
• Your time horizon – Where you are in life is an
important consideration when investing. When you
are young and just starting out in your career, you may
be able to focus more on growth, as you have time to Are You Ready Hurricane?
overcome the inevitable short-term market downturns.
But as you near retirement, you may want to consolidate
any gains you may have achieved, and lower your risk For The Next Storm?
level, by moving your portfolio toward a somewhat
more conservative approach. Even in retirement,
though, you will need some growth potential to stay No Air Conditioning?
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• Your needs for liquidity – As you invest, you’ll
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