SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

On Jan. 25-27, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation staff attended the 39th annual Everglades Coalition Conference in Bonita Springs. It provided people working to restore the Everglades an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in the past year, while connecting over the work still being done. This year’s theme was “Restoration Rewards,” highlighting the benefits restoration has on ecosystems, economies and communities across South Florida.

Chief Executive Officer James Evans spoke on the first panel on Jan. 26 and discussed the SCCF’s new water quality economic report — released in conjunction with Captains for Clean Water and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida — and how clean water through Everglades restoration projects and other measures are essential to a way of life.

The panel, “Clean H2O: A Formula for Ecological Health and Economic Success,” also included Florida International University PhD student Chloe Vorseth, SanCap Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai, Captains for Clean Water Executive Director Daniel Andrews and Greene Economics principal economist Gretchen Greene, which conducted the water quality study.

Moderated by Conservancy of Southwest Florida Water Policy Manager Michele Arquette-Palermo, the panel explored how the economies of coastal communities are linked to their water quality, using the economic report as a backdrop.

“It’s not just the low taxes that draw people to Florida — it’s the water. The water can draw people to Florida, and it can also drive people away,” Evans said. “If we’re not thinking about our impact on water quality and what we can do to improve water quality, then we’re not thinking about the future of Florida.”

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION From left, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis and Policy & Advocacy Associate Allie Pecenka at the 39th annual Everglades Coalition Conference on Jan. 25-27 in Bonita Springs.

In partnership with the Florida Oceanographic Society, the SCCF sponsored the conference breakfast on Jan. 27, during which Evans and Florida Oceanographic Chief Executive Officer Mark Perry spoke of the importance of collaboration between the northern estuaries. Both highlighted the need for a united front when addressing water quality concerns and how, by working together, they can provide solutions that will benefit both coasts.

The conference’s keynote speakers included U.S. Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton.