
There are many players in the world of Everglades Restoration politics and policy; today I will briefly talk about the Everglades Coalition (http://evergladescoalition.org), not to be confused with the Everglades Foundation, (http://www.evergladesfoundation.org).
You probably already know that it is the Everglades Coalition that is holding its 30th Annual Conference this week in Key Largo, Florida.
The easiest way to think about a “coalition” is in terms of our very own Rivers Coalition. The Rivers Coalition, (http://riverscoalition.org), like the Everglades Coalition, is a membership of organizations as opposed to individuals. 501c3 (tax exempt organizations) vary depending on how they are set up, nonetheless, a “coalition” is generally an alliance of like-minded organizations, whereas a “foundation” usually has individuals serving on a board focusing on raising money.
Organizations represent sometimes hundreds of people under one umbrella, so coalitions are very strong.
The Everglades Coalition, has been around since 1985, as is a major player in setting the direction of Everglades restoration; according to their website:
The Everglades Coalition is an alliance of more than 50 local, state and national conservation and environmental organizations dedicated to full restoration of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes into Lake Okeechobee, through the “River of Grass,” out to Florida Bay and the Keys.
So how does the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon play into this?
Well, we are the “Northern Everglades,” (http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xweb%20protecting%20and%20restoring/other%20everglades).

And of course, as well all know, historically, our water flowed south creating the “Everglades” until in early 1900s, when agricultural and development interests, through the help of the state and federal governments, drained the lands south and around Lake Okeechobee by building the St Lucie Canal and finishing the already started Caloosahatchee Canal as well as many others. It was a different world then. People did not think in terms or realize they were linked to their environment. It was a brutal world–one of “man over nature.” We cannot blame them, they were just trying to survive and build our county, nonetheless, those days are over, we must change our world, as today we have a different world view.
When that water was cut off, and it must be noted it really has been cut off more every year since the early 1900s, the Everglades and all its plenty, its gifts started dying…this includes water supply for South Florida and the weight of fresh water to combat sea level rise in today’s world.
On a positive note, isn’t it wonderful that the Everglades Coalition entitled their conference SEND IT SOUTH!
Thank you for this.
And yes, it is time! 100 years of destruction has had its day. With the strength of the coalition in 2015, this message, SEND IT SOUTH, once again will be heard loud and clear in Tallahassee and around the state and world. Just in time for the legislative committee meetings going on in Tallahassee this week!
—-River Warriors and all river advocates, thank you, as I believe it was you, with your thousands that has inspired the theme of this conference.
I’ve read that TC Palm will be reporting, and independently I will be blogging starting Thursday from Key Largo. Maybe I’ll get to see you there?
Whether you are there are not, you will be there in spirit.
We are making progress!
So for fun, go outside and shout loud and clear:
SEND IT SOUTH!
And when you scream it, know, that you are finally being heard.
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EC’s link to conference program: (http://evergladescoalition.org/EVCO%202015%20Program-2.pdf)
Great work Jacqui. Packing for the event now. It is going to wonderful with loads of information, great speakers and the opportunity to be heard and to hear.
See you there! 🙂
Send it clean. Then send it south. Enforce the Clean Water Act in Florida.
Yes! Happy New Year and look forward to talking this year.
#cleanitupsenditsouth yay!
Reblogged this on cyndi lenz and commented:
#cleanitupsenditsouth
Thanks Cyndi!
Hi, Jacqui,
Nicely done!
Megan, Cara and I will see you in Key Largo!
Katha
Awesome! I can’t wait to see my Harbor Branch family!
Thank you Jacqui for all you do. You are empowering so many and making such an impact.
Thank you Katy and YOU are doing even more!
I have to respectfully disagree.Don’t dump on me;dump on someone else is not the answer. There is much to consider– like salt water intrusion into peoples wells. Now we drain just as much in the dry season as we do in the wet.All the neutriants are sucked down to deep for plants to reach.
Brent. I respect your opinion. Thanks for writing.
Good stuff as always, Jacquii
Thank you Billy!
Go represent and be heard everyone. Wish I could justify going, but need to make money not spend it right now. Charter fishing time, and semi-decent water window that I can’t miss. Hope it doesn’t take another 30 conferences to make a dent!
Thanks Mike. Your voice is there——
If you waunt to see charter boat fishing go ballistic you have to bring the menhaden back. It is very simple or maby you could just haul your boat up here.