The Conservancy of SWFL – a local treasure

We tend to take it for granted. At least I do.

Day in and day out, it does the work, often well below the radar, to protect our environment. A champion of conservation, it has carried the water for many of us through troubled times that are far from over.

I’m talking about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Quite apart from its activities in caring for injured animals and conducting boat tours, it has been on the front lines in opposing rampant growth — a plague that has threatened sensitive land and put taxpayer dollars at risk.

Here are some examples.

¦ Some years ago, the Conservancy, fronting for numerous civic and environmental groups, filed a lawsuit against Collier Enterprises, the developer that was hell-bent on building “villages” in the Rural Lands Stewardship Area. That included Rivergrass, Longwater and Bellmar, with others on the drawing boards. Not only were there concerns about wildlife habitat, but taxpayers were on the hook for costs not covered by the developer.

TRECKER

After countless court hearings, decisions and appeals, the Conservancy settled with Collier Enterprises, which agreed to preserve 655 acres of primary panther habitat and “extinguish” 6,500 acres of potential development. Fiscal neutrality was not addressed. Overall it was a split decision, half a loaf, but better than nothing.

¦ More recently, the Conservancy chalked up a big success when a federal court struck down EPA approval of the Florida wetlands program. The court found the transfer of responsibility for the Clean Water Act to the state evaded federal protections like the Endangered Species Act. The Conservancy was joined in the lawsuit by numerous others — local “waterkeepers,” EarthJustice, the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity — a potent coalition of interests. The ruling should allow a more robust review of future attempts to encroach on Florida wetlands.

¦ Unbridled growth certainly hasn’t gone away. The Conservancy is now fighting the massive Kingston project in eastern Lee County that would lead to what would essentially be a new city. Some 10,000 homes are planned along with a hotel and a large commercial center. New roads would be needed to deal with greatly increased traffic. Approval of this behemoth would be a death knell for wildlife in the area.

You can’t do these things alone, and the Conservancy has partnered with others of similar beliefs. It’s also joined forces to help protect the Everglades. This year it hosted the 39th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference, an alliance of 57 local, state and national groups dedicated to full restoration of the ecosystem — from Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee through the River of Grass and out to Florida Bay and the Keys.

There are organizations and there are organizations but, as we know, it’s the people that make things happen. And the Conservancy has some of the best. Rob Moher, the top dog, is an elegant writer and effective spokesperson. I’ve known Kathy Worley forever and have had the pleasure of dealing with Nicole Johnson and others. It’s an impressive crew.

And the money is pouring in. This year’s gala, “Magic Under the Mangroves,” is sold out, a good indication the generous donors in Southwest Florida will open up their pocketbooks and deliver some big bucks.

Not everything is rosy. The Conservancy has lobbied the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to kill hardening as a means of buttressing our shoreline. That’s unfortunate. Without things like groins, jetties and seawalls, widespread protection against tidal storms will be impossible.

But, hey, nobody’s perfect. The Conversancy usually gets it right. And for that we are grateful. ¦

— Dave Trecker is a chemist and retired Pfizer executive living in Florida.

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