An Open Letter to Rick
Scott
RE: Save the Florida Panther Day
Dear Governor Scott:
Your recent decision to declare March 16th as “Save
the Florida Panther Day” is a first step in the education and promotion of one
of the rarest species within the United States.
Your declaration that the panther is a “symbol of the
natural character of Florida,” however raises some issues. Unnecessary roads,
housing developments, and mining activities are currently carving up natural
Florida. Our waters are filled with slime, our air is polluted, our lands are
constantly under threat by development, and backdoor deals ensure that this
treatment of wild Florida will continue for generations to come. Is this the
type of natural character you are promoting?
The last vestiges of panther habitat are under threat and
the necessary measures to prevent this habitat destruction are being ignored. There
is no critical habitat designated for Florida panthers. Mitigation banking for
panthers does not add any new habitat for this imperiled species, but only sets
aside a small percentage of land, while the rest of their current habitat is
destroyed. They have nowhere to go. You have the opportunity to protect
wildlife corridors that would ensure their safe travel throughout the state.
You have the power to protect their last remnant of functioning habitat which
is only 5% of their original habitat, and shrinking every day.
If it truly is your intention to save the Florida panther,
and not just create an arbitrary day, then protect their habitat from all
further development by supporting a protected wildlife corridor throughout the
state of Florida. In doing so, you will protect the greater Everglades
ecosystem, the species of natural Florida, and provide a true service to all
the current and future residents of Florida. Instead of “pausing and reflecting
on the plight of the Florida panther,” take the action to ensure the survival
of this species.
Otherwise, this day of celebration will one day be a day of
mourning for a species whose extinction you took no steps to prevent.
Sincerely,
Alexis Meyer
Associate Organizing Representative
Sierra Club Florida
Florida Panther Critical Habitat Campaign
Marian Ryan
Conservation Chair
Sierra Club Florida
