Michael
Admin
| Posts: 44 |  |
|
Joanna's Letter to the Editor - 2007/08/06 09:02
Pelican Island, Archie Carr boost environment, economy
Thursday, August 2, 2007
The July 29 Our View column featured a short editorial on the significance of our local state parks to the Treasure Coast economy and quality of life. Please don't forget about our local federal public lands ...Pelican Island and Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuges.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, established in Sebastian in 1903, was the first unit of what became the National Wildlife Refuge System, now numbering 547 units across the nation.
More loggerhead sea turtles nest in the 20-mile stretch of beach known as the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge than anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere.
Additionally, that 20-mile stretch of beach is the most significant nesting beach for green turtles in the United States.
Both refuges are open to the public and their local and global value should not be taken for granted. There are 28 national wildlife refuges and one fish hatchery in the state, protecting almost 1 million acres.
Florida refuges contribute more than $74 million in recreational spending annually. However, maintaining the natural assets, aka "quality of life," of the Treasure Coast is going to require combined efforts of all our natural areas, including national wildlife refuges, state and county parks and private conservation areas.
Joanna Webb
refuge ranger
Pelican Island & Archie Carr
National Wildlife Refuges |
Home 
