As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we are mindful of the absolutely unique American landscape of the Greater Western Everglades that we all call home here in Southwest Florida. The core American value of common-sense conservation was a bedrock of the early founders and enshrined decades later in our collective culture through the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt and the establishment of the American conservation movement. This land of natural wonders and abundance was viewed as the bedrock for creating an independent and self-sufficient nation.
The Calusa, the earliest known residents of Southwest Florida, valued and understood the truly unique set of natural resources and used these resources to build a complex and sustainable society that dominated the region for over 6,000 years. The Seminoles and Miccosukee tribes that still reside in the Western Everglades today carry a rich tradition of living within the carrying capacity of the natural resources.
The Western Everglades is an ecosystem unlike any other on the planet, with its rich cypress forests, coastal mangroves, and intricate webs of life. It is home to over 100 threatened and endangered plant and animal species. It is one of the most biodiverse regions in the entire United States.
As we contemplate this rich history of our region, and as we celebrate the strength and endurance of our Republic, we must also acknowledge the challenges we face today in finding the balance between developing the land, utilizing valuable and finite resources, and stewarding these natural resources that have sustained residents for generations. There is rapid pressure that continues to mount for developing significant portions of the eastern lands of Lee and Collier counties, core portions of the Greater Western Everglades ecosystem. We see them in the paper every day — evolving and proposed communities such as Rivergrass, Town of Big Cypress, Longwater, Kingston, and Bellmar, just to name a few. Unlike on the east coast of Florida, there is no “line” where development stops and the Everglades begins. In Southwest Florida, we have to shape development patterns so that core ecological functions and the benefits they provide our society are not compromised.
As a country, we have chosen to undertake the immense challenge of restoring the fabled “river of grass” — America’s Everglades. It is the largest restoration of a natural system ever attempted in human history with an anticipated price tag of over $23 billion. We have made significant progress in this endeavor, including projects such as the 55,000-acre Picayune Strand restoration in Collier County. I often wonder, though, what is the point of restoring this massive ecosystem if, on the other hand, we simply continue to permit and allow sprawling and often gated communities and commercial space right in the midst of this ecosystem. For example, Bellmar Village, as proposed, is to be located approximately one mile from the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.
As we celebrate our shared heritage, we also recognize the unique natural places that are iconic American landscapes, such as the Western Everglades. We should be mindful of the vision our founders put forth for treating these natural resources sustainably, so that future generations are not left with fewer benefits from our environment than we have enjoyed. So, this July 4th, take a moment not only to celebrate this great country, but also to find ways individually and collectively to advance the conservation of our water, land, and wildlife, which, indeed, secures a better future for us all. Join the Conservancy and stay informed by signing up for our e-newsletter at conservancy.org.
Rob Moher is president & CEO, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Protecting the Western Everglades, iconic American landscape | Opinion
Reporting by Rob Moher / Naples Daily News
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By Rob Moher | USA TODAY Network
