SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
\nFrom left, \u201cDing\u201d Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge intern Kyra Sadat Ruben, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Policy Associate Allie Pecenka, Sanibel resident Vijay Sarthy, and Conservancy of Southwest Florida Senior Water Policy Advisor Tammy Ash.<\/p>\n
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) hit the road to Tallahassee to meet with elected officials on Everglades-related priorities during the height of this year\u2019s recent legislative session.<\/p>\n
Joining SCCF Policy Associate Allie Pecenka on the trip were Kyra Sadat Ruben with the \u201cDing\u201d Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, Sanibel resident Vijay Sarthy, and Tammy Ash with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.<\/p>\n
The group attended as part of Everglades Action Day, the Everglades Coalition\u2019s annual advocacy trip, during which nonprofit staff, scientists, students and passionate citizens present the coalition\u2019s legislative priorities to elected officials from their districts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a great team and couldn\u2019t have been prouder to represent Sanibel and Captiva at the Florida Capitol, advocating for protection of our ecosystems and what makes these islands magical,\u201d Pecenka said.<\/p>\n
The legislative priorities included:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Fully funding Everglades restoration<\/p>\n
\u2013 Further protecting Florida waters<\/p>\n
\u2013 Building resilience into restoration infrastructure<\/p>\n
\u2013 Advocating for smart growth while protecting the ecosystems from harmful development<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the connection of the Calooshatchee to the Everglades system, advocating for these priorities with local officials is critical for protecting water quality and ecosystems in Southwest Florida,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Together, the group formed the Lee and Collier County team and met with senators, representatives and staff from those districts. They met with the offices of Sen. Jonathan Martin and Reps. Yvette Bennaroch and Lauren Melo. For offices busy with committee hearings, which occurred daily in the midst of the session, legislative priorities were dropped off with staff for later review.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have Sanibel residents willing to travel all the way to Tallahassee to help toward this effort, I think that shows what a special community we have here,\u201d Pecenka said. \u201cWe are grateful to all who aided in making this trip possible and look forward to further advocacy at the local and state levels.\u201d<\/p>\n