Everglades Politics

"Action taken to restore the Everglades in the next year will set the course for the next several decades." (Grunwald 78)

 Many more people are becoming aware about the issues the Everglades face and Florida conservationists have helped stop many plume hunts, preserved acres of wetlands, regulated flows to Everglades National Park, and have done the largest nutrient cleanup so far; but unfortunately the Everglades is still dying. The ecosystem natural balance is so badly damaged that tree islands are disappearing, development has hindered the recharge of the region's groundwater, and so much more. This actually is scary because it really makes you wonder if the damage already done to the Everglades is so great that it can't ever go back to what it once was; but we have to continue to try one step at a time.

Photos by: Kevin Spears

"Ocean Reef's residents ultimately decided to tax themselves to provide Fargo with a $2 million war chest." (Grunwald 83)

This act was enough to launch a campaign with lobbyists, community organizer, economic consultants, and ads showing a flock of jets over Biscayne Bay; basically presenting the message that it was not fair for the federal government to say yes to a major airport being put at the edge of the Everglades at the same time they wanted taxpayers to spend $8 billion to restore the Everglades. I think this happens a lot when it comes to the government and politics, they have so many ideas to develop and see growth that they forget about the land and environment they are destroying; and the people are the ones who pay the price by being forced to pay for this destruction. 

Photos Concept by: One Reef 

"Would it be a true restoration project, revamping man's approach to the Everglades, or just another dirt-moving Corps water project, "environmental infrastructure' with better press?" (Grunwald 101)  

This statement really made me think will this concept really start a new relationship between the human and natural environment in South Florida; encouraging men to really limit their footprints and live in a nice balance with the ecosystem, or will it fail? Also would politicians and engineers begin to really think about the needs of the birds, bears, and bays, as well as, the needs of man; or will they continue to only think about the money they can make? These are really tough questions to answer because at the end of the day we will never see a change unless we chose to make the world we live in better, and many people are only concerned about themselves and what they can gain which is why we are in this predicament in the first place. There has been a lot done to start to restore the Everglades and hopefully this will encourage others to join in as well. 

Photo Concept by: Red Cardinal