Dearest Governor,

Let me briefly introduce myself in case I have slipped your memory: Over a thousand species and several million Floridians are reliant on me. I double as a provider for both human needs and environmental protection, contributing to the economy and the ecosystem collectively. I am one of the largest remaining subtropical wet-land habitats in North America, I am rich in biodiversity, I am Florida’s greatest natural asset, I am unique, and I am beautiful.

The thing is, I am not only vital to countless numbers of inhabitants and peoples, but you as well.

I am imperative to the survival of millions, not just the endangered and threatened species that call me home or the population of South Florida, but you as well.

I am abundant in life. I am abundant in opportunity.

But I am in extreme danger.

I am in severe need of restoration.

I am in desperate need of hope, of care.

Because I am drowning in pollution, I am drowning in man-made interruption, I am drowning in ecological imbalance.

From dividing my original size of nearly 3 million acres in half, from increased agricultural development and their pesticides, from invasive species, from urbanization, from the alteration of water flow, from greed, from ignorance, from carelessness.

Governor, you have proposed many plans for my renewal, yet they are swallowed up by sugar factory influence, crushed by state legislature disapproval.

So I continue to suffer. I continue to be effected by the changing climate and thus a changing ecosystem. I continue to watch urban and agricultural development contribute to my habitat destruction, tourism decline, food chain interruption, species endangerment, and clean water shortages. I continue to scream for help as my reefs are destroyed, as my waters turn algae green, and as my beauty deteriorates.

Why is it that people do not realize that a sustainable environment is the backbone of a sustainable economy? Why can people not fathom that Everglades restoration is crucial to not only the vibrant ecology but the future of Florida? Why do South Floridians not understand that much of the water they drink is a product of the River of Grass? Why can people not grasp the concept that if the Glades are destroyed, so are many, many other essentials? Why do people not care about the environment they live in? Why are people so caught up in money, power, and more money and power?

Governor Scott, my questions go on and on because action is necessary, no, action is critical for my survival in which your economy, your environment, and your well-being withstands.

My hope remains in you because I know you have a voice. I know you are aware of my restoration advantages. I know you are aware that 46 billion dollars in benefits, improved freshwater availability, water enhancement, reduced costs of alternative water supplies, habitat/ecosystem restoration, increased wildlife populations, amplified tourism, economic enhancements, and decreased damaging floodwaters will all be effects of implementing my revival. I know you will do your best to reduce phosphorous pollution, reduce Glades destruction, and reduce human modification. I know you will do whatever is possible to educate the ones who are blind to my distress.

I believe in you. I believe that you can educate the nonbelievers that constructing reservoirs for water storage and enforcing laws to protect my precious lands from perpetrators is fundamental to not just my survival- but yours, hers, and his.

Governor Scott, please do not forget about me.

Because if you do, I might be gone forever. And there is no coming back.

Sincerely,

The Everglades