Everglades Coalition Conference celebrates momentum

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that scientists, educators, contractors, conservationists, the media, students and citizens, as well as decisionmakers and representatives from federal, state, local and tribal governments, convened on Jan 26-28 for a singul a r g o a l : c o n t i n u e t h e w o r k t o r e s t o r e A m e r i c a ’ s

Everglades

The theme of this year’s 38th annual Everglades C o a l i t i o n C o n f e r e n c e i n C o r a l S p r i n g s w a s “ A Watershed Moment,” reflecting on the historic amount of progress, support and funding that has been spent and allocated to Everglades restoration projects

The SCCF and Conservancy of Southwest Florida sponsored the dinner on Jan 27 In his welcoming remarks, Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis highlighted the SCCF's commitment to the Everglades and the importance of continuing restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, emphasizing how the resilience of Sanibel and Captiva was connected to the theme of the conference

“The Everglades is central to this resilience Even now, we are dealing with added stressors of water releases from Lake Okeechobee,” he said “With every step of Everglades restoration, we are closer to being able to send that water south, reinvigorating one of the most unique ecosystems in the world instead of adding undue pressures to our already struggling estuaries ”

DePaolis was followed by the dinner's keynote speaker, Florida Chief Resilience Officer Wes Brooks He reflected on his time growing up in Miami and fishing in the waters of the Florida Bay

“It was good to hear Dr Brooks reiterate the governor’s commitment to improving Florida’s water quality and that the Everglades is central to any progress we hope to make,” DePaolis said

Panels provided updates on a host of topics concerning Everglades restoration, including updates on Florida panther and Tree Island research and legal analyses of recent Supreme Court decisions and how they could affect restoration efforts Planning sessions focused on how to strengthen partnerships and continue the momentum that has been built

Harriet

McSpadden said

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Eagles have been known to kill the young or throw them out of the nest when they take over a nest If that happens, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife will be on call to intervene in the event that the eaglets are injured in the fall

Whatever happens in the nest at that time, McSpadden said that viewer discretion is advised, because the eagle cam brings nature at its best and sometimes the worst Eaglets have died and even been eaten for food

“If they can’t handle it or it gets too upsetting, turn it off and walk away We said that a while ago when eaglets passed away,” McSpadden said Harriet began appearing in the area around 2003 with her then-mate Ozzie They came to the Pritchett farm in 2006, where she has remained ever since M15 a r r i v e d i n 2 0 1 5 , w h e n O z z i e d i e d McSpadden believes that Harriet is about 30 years old, which is the typical lifespan of an eagle

“I never imagined this day would come because she’s been a staple with this project and in our lives for so long that she wouldn’t be around,” McSpadden said

For more information or to view the l i v e c a m , v i s i t d i c h p r i t c h e t t r e a l e s t a t e com