As Lake Worth needs a lot of help from politicians who are not protecting our beach park from further commercialization, I wanted to share this message from a group that is helping to protect our parks:
2011 marked South Florida Wildlands Association's first full year in operation. It's been a busy one. Starting with the battle to keep the 146,000 acre Addition Lands of the Big Cypress National Preserve free from motor vehicle impacts, our organization has worked on a variety of environmental issues central to protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat in the Greater Everglades.
Two recent news stories highlight some of the work we've been engaged in. First a television piece from Fox 4 on a massive new Florida Power and Light (FPL) gas plant in the heart of Florida panther habitat. Click the play arrow in the upper left of the page to view the video.
http://m1e.net/c?121296310-.Uh0tLvzHPKz.%407098396-wj0L62gQt/K7I
A piece from the Miami Herald focuses on yet another FPL proposal. This one would locate 3 massive power lines across the eastern edge of what is now Everglades National Park. Note the reference to over 10,000 responses received by the National Park Service - virtually all against the proposal. Big thanks!
http://m1e.net/c?121296310-lyEVzjLq6aIdE%407098397-yUzn3vq.ipR0o
In the coming year, South Florida Wildlands Association (SFWA) will continue the work we've begun. In addition to participating in the lawsuit against the National Park Service, challenging the agency's decision to motorize the Big Cypress National Preserve Addition Lands, we intend to remain fully engaged with the administrations of Biscayne and Everglades National Parks as they re-write the General Management Plans for their respective parks. As always, our focus will be on the protection of rare and vanishing habitat and species - the central purpose for which these unique "biological parks" were created - over other considerations.
On the energy front, SFWA worked alongside local and national organizations to stage rallies against the expansion of the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant (April 30 - Clean Energy Rally at Homestead Bayfront County Park) and the possibility of expanded offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (June 26 - Hands Across the Sand). While not known as a "clean energy" organization, we take our battles as they come. SFWA finds it deplorable that the health of irreplaceable ecosystems such as Biscayne Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands could be compromised for the sake of more nuclear energy or offshore oil - while the use of clean, sustainable solar power in the Sunshine State barely registers.
We also remain committed to the restoration of the heart of the Everglades - the "River of Grass" - through the return of the natural flow of water which once ran uninterrupted from Lake Okeechobee to the estuaries of Florida and Biscayne Bays nearly 100 miles to the south. These unique wetlands and estuaries are a significant part of the natural heritage of our planet. Millions of acres of public land have already been acquired, at enormous effort and expense, to allow a true restoration to take place. SFWA continues to push federal and state partners for public acquisition of sufficient agricultural lands currently owned by "Big Sugar" - the 700,000 acre Everglades Agricultural Area just south of Lake Okeechobee - to finish the job.
While this email highlights some of the work SFWA has done in the past year, this is also a great time to express our appreciation of our many supporters. Your willingness to continue to write emails to decision makers and show up at public meetings (time and time again - on weeknights - in out of the way locations) to demand that the incredible biological diversity of south Florida remains protected is central to this work. Never think that your individual letters or public comments - no matter how short - have no impact. They do. We thank you for your efforts.
We also take this moment to thank the public officials from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the South Florida Water Management District and others for promptly answering our numerous inquiries with regard to the projects we are engaged in. Whatever differences we may have (and there are many), the dialogue is always appreciated. And to the environmental reporters (and bloggers) whose work allows the public to understand and participate in issues which, although complex, have a huge impact on the quality of life on our planet - your service is simply invaluable. It never ceases to amaze us how stories involving the Everglades - and the question of its survival - seem to be of interest not only to Floridians but to folks from around the world.
Have a happy holiday season and best wishes for the New Year. If you have the ability and would like to financially support the work South Florida Wildlands is engaged in, your tax-deductible contribution in any amount is very much appreciated. Expect to see an aggressive and comprehensive campaign to secure and protect remaining Florida panther habitat rolled out in early 2012. Contributions can be sent by check (see address below) or online at the following location.
http://m1e.net/c?121296310-WHFsXOG.3ojVs%407098398-NJJF5ly4sAI7U
Best regards,
Matt Schwartz
Executive Director
South Florida Wildlands Association
P.O. Box 30211
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33303
954-634-7173
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