Conservation: Chance for Bipartisan Action, Healing
Posted November 14, 2016 06:55 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL – With the dust beginning to settle
on election 2016, conservation groups say now is the
time to get to work on what should be a nonpartisan
issue: protecting natural resources in Florida and
nationwide.
Ron
Warnken, a regional representative for the
National
Wildlife Federation, says Florida's land, water, and
wildlife always have been the big draw for tourists and
residents alike, and that's why he believes all
Floridians should be able to get behind the idea of
protecting them.
"And I think that is what has made Florida's economy
vibrant," he states. "And it's really critical - mission
critical - that we care for and conserve those natural
resources moving into the future."
Locally, Warnken points to the success of parks and
recreation conservation efforts in the state. For
example, last week voters in north central Florida
approved the Wild Spaces and Public Places initiative by
a large margin, a half-cent increase of the sales tax
there to rejuvenate the county's conservation efforts.
Collin O'Mara, the National Wildlife Federation's
president and CEO, says there always are hurdles to
overcome when it comes to policy, but he maintains there
are opportunities to show that environmental laws,
including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, are
not at odds with economic growth.
"If we can show that investments in natural resources,
investments in infrastructure will help put people to
work, help strengthen the economy, help create outdoor
opportunities, help save the wildlife and natural
resources that we love we can hopefully begin to instill
a little bit confidence that we can do big things again
in this country," he stresses.
O'Mara does note that the political divide on climate
change is a significant one, but he still believes there
are ways both parties can work together to benefit the
environment and the economy.
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