Fighting for the Everglades, Florida Conservation
Let’s just forget about restoring the Everglades, OK? And all those hundreds of thousands of acres of natural lands that Florida has acquired over the years under the conservation-aimed Florida Forever program? Who needs ‘em? Tourists mostly come to the state for that mouse in Orlando anyway, and if the locals want nature, they can plant some palms in their backyards, right?
If that’s not how you feel — and I certainly don’t — now’s the time to send a message to your elected officials in Florida asking them to reconsider what could certainly be described as the political equivalent of cutting off your nose to spite your face: a plan to address the state’s legitimately serious financial troubles by allotting zero dollars — that’s ZERO — for the Florida Forever conservation program and Everglades restoration.
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According to the Audubon Society, if the Florida House’s proposal — backed by Speaker Marco Rubio and House Policy and Budget Chairman Ray Sansom — passes, it would mark the first time in 30 years that the state has set aside no funds for land conservation, as well as the first time in eight years in which there’s been no money for the Everglades.
On a positive note, the state Senate’s approach is much less draconian, with Senate President Ken Pruitt, Budget Chairman Lisa Carlton and Environment Chairman Burt Saunders deserving credit for opposing environmental cuts to balance the budget. Kudos also go to Gov. Charlie Crist, who continues to demonstrate his green-mindedness by expressing support for full funding for the Everglades and Florida Forever.
So come on, Floridians: step up and add your voice to the others who are in favor of preserving the real Florida, the one that doesn’t involve light shows, character parades or virtual thrills. You can find the Audubon Society’s petition here.
