Interior announces new plan to protect Everglades
01/07/2011 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Secretary of
the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
is working with private landowners, conservation groups and federal, tribal,
state and local agencies to develop a new national wildlife refuge and
conservation area to preserve the community’s ranching heritage and conserve the
headwaters and fish and wildlife of the Everglades.
“The Everglades rural working ranch landscapes are an important piece of our
nation’s history and economy, and this initiative would work to ensure that they
remain vital for our future,” Secretary Salazar said. “The partnerships being
formed would protect and improve water quality north of Lake Okeechobee, restore
wetlands, and connect existing conservation lands and important wildlife
corridors to support the greater Everglades restoration effort.”
The Service, along with its partners, is conducting a preliminary study to
establish a new National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area of approximately
150,000 acres of important environmental and cultural landscapes in the
Kissimmee River Valley south of Orlando. The proposed area includes 50,000 acres
for potential purchase, and an additional 100,000 acres that could be protected
through conservation easements and cooperative agreements, keeping the land in
private ownership. The Service will only work with willing sellers to purchase
land rights.
"This is an important first step aimed at preserving and protecting thousands of
acres vital to the Everglades," said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who joined Secretary
Salazar in today’s announcement. "Projects like this will ensure future
generations will be able to benefit from and enjoy the River of Grass."
Salazar also announced that, as part of the ongoing community dialogue, the
public will be invited to participate in a series of workshops on the proposal
in January and February.
“This initiative will be rooted in partnership with the local communities from
start to finish, and I look forward to hearing from those who value these
landscapes for everything from recreation, to ranching, to seeking solitude”
Salazar said. “This proposal should stand as a model for our 21st century
approach to land conservation that is science-based, partner-driven, and takes
into account working landscapes and entire ecosystems.”
“We have been working with various easement programs since 1990,” said Cary
Lightsey of the Lightsey Cattle Company. “They all have been win-win situations
and we have never looked back. It makes us feel good that we are providing green
space and wildlife habitat for future generations. I appreciate this proposal. I
don't see my grandchildren coming back and questioning why we preserved the
landscape."
In addition to improving water quality, the proposed conservation area and
refuge would protect important habitat for 88 federal and state listed species,
including the Florida panther, Florida black bear, whooping crane, Everglade
snail kite and the Eastern indigo snake. It will also link to approximately
690,000 acres of partner-conserved lands.
More than a dozen partners are working together through the Greater Everglades
Partnership Initiative on the proposed refuge and conservation area including
the following organizations: Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer
Services; Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Florida Division of
State Lands; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Osceola County
Parks Division; South Florida Water Management District; National Wildlife
Refuge Association; The Nature Conservancy; U.S. Air Force - Avon Park Air Force
Range; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resource Conservation
Service. Their efforts are part of a larger conservation effort across
south-central Florida.
A final plan for the Everglades Headwaters proposal is expected by the end of
this year. Learn more by visiting
www.fws.gov/southeast/greatereverglades.
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Friends of a US Mexico Giant Park in the
Big Bend Region of Texas & Mexico

National Park Free Days announced for 2011
01/05/11
WASHINGTON – The National Park
Service will waive admission fees on 17 selected dates throughout 2011.
“Many people have made resolutions to spend more quality time with
loved ones and to get outdoors and unplug in 2011,” said Secretary Salazar.
“There’s no better place than a national park to help keep those
resolutions. Parks offer superb recreational opportunities, making them
perfect places to enjoy our beautiful land, history and culture, and nurture
a healthy lifestyle.”
Salazar noted that with 394 national parks throughout
the country, most Americans live within a few hours of a park, making them
places for easy and affordable vacations any time of the year.
“In these tough economic times, our fee-free days will give families many
opportunities to enjoy our nation’s heritage and natural beauty in
meaningful and affordable ways,” he said.
The 2011 fee-free dates will be the weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
(January 15-17), National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer
(June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of
Veterans Day (November 11-13).
The first fee free days are centered on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
“Visitors can literally walk in Dr. King’s footsteps at national parks such
as Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Georgia, Selma to
Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama, or the Lincoln Memorial in
Washington, DC,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. “They
are just a few of the dozens of national parks which trace the history of
African Americans.”
“Several parks will also honor Dr. King by hosting volunteer projects for
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 17,” added Jarvis. “It
is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a day
on, not a day off.”
Many national park concessions will also offer discounts on fee free days,
saving visitors money on food, lodging, tours, and souvenirs. More
information is available at
http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.
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