As the sun sets on 2015, what’s on the horizon for Southwest Florida’s natural environment?
By Rob Moher, President & CEO, Conservancy of Southwest Florida
As 2015 draws to a close, it is important to reflect on what has changed in the physical landscape of Southwest Florida, how those changes impact our environment, and what lessons can be learned to shape and secure a more sustainable future.
Our region is at a critical crossroads regarding planning for this development. This past year, we saw the rebound of growth in our region, with Florida adding 800 new residents a day. The Naples area is now the 10th fastest growing area in the nation, and Cape Coral-Ft. Myers is ranked as 6th fastest. In response to this population growth, development and mining continues to spread eastward into agricultural and natural areas.
More development leads to more roads, causing native wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther, to be displaced. In fact, 2015 was the deadliest on record for Florida Panthers with 40 of the remaining panthers — or 20 percent of the population — being killed this year. The number one cause of death is collisions with vehicles. We can and must do better if we are to find ways to protect our native wildlife which deserve to co-exist with our growing communities and of course also are a vital element of the reason many people are attracted to visit our area.
The Conservancy remains at the forefront of ‘smart growth’ advocacy. Using a science-based approach, we have a clear vision for the pace, location and type of development that preserves our core natural resources. As we have seen with the recent decision by a judge in Lee County to uphold the Lee County Comprehensive Plan and reject efforts by developers to double density at River Hall, defending adopted comprehensive plans will be essential to balancing the desire to grow with protecting a community’s right to grow smartly.
One of the most significant issues that we faced in 2015 is proposed legislation/regulation surrounding new forms of oil exploration and extraction. While the Conservancy is disappointed that the legislature failed to introduce and pass comprehensive oil and gas legislation in the 2015 session, we see this as an opportunity to advocate for stronger, more comprehensive oil and gas legislation in 2016 that truly address all forms of new enhanced will stimulation techniques which can pose risks to our water resources. It is an area the Conservancy will continue to invest significant resources.
Collier County’s undeveloped eastern region is expected to double the county’s current population by 2040. Plans are moving ahead for new towns, meaning more homes, roads, schools and shopping will be developed where birds and wildlife take refuge. We foresee 2016 as a turning point for Collier County’s undeveloped and rural-based eastern lands. Solutions-focused, we will continue to work closely with stakeholders, developers, community members and decision makers to protect the habitat of panthers and other wildlife, along with critical wetlands, sloughs and aquifer recharge areas which are essential to both our water supply and our water quality which impacts already stressed estuaries, rivers and bays.
This growth has been the impetus behind the expansion of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, now in progress. The need for new and expanded outdoor recovery and flight enclosures is urgent. In 2016, the project will be completed, and will include new guest education areas, where guests come face-to-face with wildlife “ambassadors.” One of the Conservancy’s overarching objectives is injury prevention. Injury prevention requires an educated community about how to be a part of the solution.
Read more about the Wildlife Expansion Plan
Looking ahead, certainly the Presidential election will dominate much news coverage. As an organization we are sensing a shift in the level of importance the environment plays in voter decision-making. Certainly the overwhelming passage of Amendment 1 indicates voting Floridians are paying more attention to environmental issues. In 2016, there will continue to be a strong intersection of federal jurisdiction issues including Everglades Restoration, Clean Water Act, Habitat Conservation Plan for Eastern Collier County as it relates to federally listed threatened and endangered species including of course, the Florida Panther.
The decisions made in 2016 will permanently shape our future. As such, we hope each citizen will find a way to become engaged in learning about and weighing in on these momentous issues. Together, we can do more to protect the unique treasure that is Southwest Florida.
We invite you to learn more by visiting our Nature Center or our website www.conservancy.org.
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