Preserving Paradise focuses on restoration, sustainability
On Aug. 19, participants in the second annual Preserving Paradise program gathered for their second session, which focused on Everglades restoration and economic sustainability.
It featured presentations from The Everglades Foundation Chief Economist Paul Hindsley, Ph.D., Captains for Clean Water co-founders Capts. Daniel Andrews and Chris Whitman, and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis.
Preserving Paradise is a collaborative initiative between Captains for Clean Water, the SanCap Chamber, SCCF and The Everglades Foundation to bring together members of Southwest Florida’s business community to expand their knowledge on water quality and Everglades restoration.
“The goal of the day was for participants to leave with a stronger understanding of the inextricable link between water quality, the economies of Southwest Florida and our quality of life,” SCCF Policy Associate Allie Pecenka said. “Additionally, we all left with a better sense that we’re all in this fight together, and that the more people there are bringing light to these issues, the better chance we have at solving them.”
The participants started by exploring Everglades hydrology and ecology through learning modalities featured in the foundation’s Everglades Literacy Program. Personal accounts of business challenges faced during the 2018 water crisis were then shared before they dove further into how advocacy can make a difference, as told through the story behind the defeat of Senate Bill 2508 in 2022, which was highlighted by Captains for Clean Water.
Hindsley’s overview of the economic value of the Everglades gave insight into the need for continued restoration and widespread benefits from it. This tied into DePaolis’ presentation on the findings of the 2024 Economic Report on Water Quality, a joint study commissioned by Captains for Clean Water, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and SCCF that provides economic data on the cost of harmful algal blooms.
“When business owners, organizational leaders, educators and community members are experts on water quality — and the economic costs of poor water quality — that’s when I believe we start to see real changes,” Pecenka said.
They also heard from a panel of previous program participants on the business impacts of water quality, including: Kyle DeCicco from Sanibel Captiva Community Bank; Joe Harrity from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille; Calli Johnson DuPont from A Bit of Bailey’s, Bailey’s General Store and The Island Store; Bill Robinson from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors; and Bill Waichulis from the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina.
Finally, the participants were invited to attend an evening aboard the Lady Chadwick for a sunset cruise departing from McCarthy’s Marina.
The Preserving Paradise program will feature four more sessions through October.
For more information, visit https://sanibel-captiva.org/preserving-paradise/.