Kissimmee Basin: the Northern Everglades

Last week (September 30 & October 1) I traveled to the Adam's Ranch located along Lake Marion to meet up with Carlton Ward and Joe Guthrie.  On Friday afternoon David Houghton with the National Wildlife Refuge Association and Desiree Sorenson-Groves came to talk and visit with us.  David gave a great video interview about the new proposed Northern Everglades Headwaters Wildlife Refuge proposal, the importance of this project for Florida citizens and water conservation.  It was an honor to hear about a large concept plan of preservation and conservation in the Kissimmee Basin.  

(frame from HD video clip)

(image by Carlton Ward Jr.)

“One is a real focus on the youth of America as we become increasingly Urban, kids don’t enjoy outdoors like I did as kid growing up with the big outdoors….  So, how do we get the kids away from the games and get a little mud on their feet?  An Urban Refuge system could be part of that,  but its about public - private partnership with large landscapes…..” - -  David Houghton, Vice President, National Wildlife Refuge Association

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On Saturday Rick Smith and I traveled south through the Seminole Reservation to the ranch owned by FWC Commissioner, Ron Bergeron, Florida Wildlife Commission.  Bergeron is a great story teller spinning tales about old Florida, the Gladesman and the old Florida Cracker.

(image by Rick Smith)

(frame from HD video clip)

“Florida has beautiful natural resources, best in the whole world.  Number one fishing in the world, the Everglades being one of the ten natural wonders of the world, we are very blessed from seagrass to sawgrass.”  - - Alligator Ron Bergeron, Commissioner - Florida Wildlife Commission