Conservationists of the Year
Richard Grosso, Robert Hartsell, Lisa Interlandi
& the Everglades Law Center

The Everglades' wetland system, now destroyed or denigrated to the point where a massive restoration effort must be made, is the home to an incredible assortment of plants and animals found nowhere else in this country. Besieged on all sides by the wants of a variety of interests, protection of the Everglades is at a critical juncture.

Owing to the pressures on this fragile ecosystem, it is necessary to sometimes ask the courts to intervene to resolve issues. Thankfully, the Everglades Law Center (ELC), formerly known as the Environmental Land Use and Law Center, stands ready to help. The ELC is truly the fighting arm of conservation in South Florida.

Under the leadership of Richard Grosso, and including outstanding attorneys Lisa Interlandi and Robert Hartsell, and staffer Angie Greico, the ELC has represented the Florida Wildlife Federation on a number of matters all centered around the protection of the Everglades region and its unique natural resources.

Recently, the ELC undertook a challenge that took all its expertise and fortitude: the proposed location of the Scripps research facility right next to the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. While supportive of locating Scripps within the County, the Federation strongly opposed the use of the Mecca Farms site. Development on this site would have led to sprawl, loss of habitat and recreational opportunities and the curtailment of the possibility of restoration. In what can only be described as a David v. Goliath victory, ELC prevailed in this massive litigation with the end result being the movement of the Scripps facility to the eastern part of Palm Beach County.

Lisa Interlandi (L) and Robert Hartsell (R) accept their award on behalf of the Everglades Law Center from FWF Chair Bob Reid and FWF President Manley Fuller.

Global warming is an issue that many do not want to think about. Unfortunately, the truth is the world is heating up, and as the only place we have to call home is this planet, we had all better take note and do something about it. Representing 5% of the world's population, we Americans contribute approximately 25% of the pollution.

It is our automobiles that are a main culprit in global warming owing to the emissions that result from driving. The more gas we burn, the more harmful emissions we produce.

Special Land Use Achievement Award

Maria Wise

In the seemingly never-ending fight to protect what makes Florida a special place to live, it is critical that residents make their views known. Such was the case when Maria Wise heard that her favorite public property, the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, was about to be directly impacted by unwanted development.

The Corbett Area is approximately 60,000 acres of historic Everglades, adjacent to the Dupuis Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County. The proposed development was the much publicized Scripps biotechnology facility, which was slated to be placed adjacent to Corbett, the place where Ms. Wise recreated and rode her horses. As a concerned citizen, Maria Wise voluntary entered the litigation as an individual along with the Federation and others against some very powerful adversaries. Her recreational use over the past 20 years in the Corbett Area and her nearby residence established her right to take part in this monumental lawsuit. Thankfully, and against the odds, we prevailed; Scripps is now to be located in the more heavily populated eastern part of the County.

If the Scripps project had been allowed to be placed on Mecca Farms, the possibility of reclamation of this tract to its historic function would have been eliminated. Placement of Scripps in this far western part of the county would have undoubtedly led to urban sprawl and the decrease of the quality of life of those who live near Corbett and of the recreational users of this popular spot.

Wildlife Conservationist of the Year

Ted Below

Mr. Ted Below moved to Naples in 1955. A plumber by profession, Ted's avocation has been the study and protection of birds and their habitats in Southwest Florida. He served on the Collier County Environmental Advisory Council for 16 years, often dealing with highly contentious issues. In this capacity, his stalwart defense of the environment and his passion for our natural resources were his trademark.

Ted became a birder in 1956 and commenced a scientific study of coastal species in 1966 when he banded sooty terns in the Dry Tortugas. He and his wife, Ginny, frequently monitor the Southwest shoreline for birds, and the data they have gathered is one of the most comprehensive in Florida. Ted also helped the Federation's efforts to get the mosquito control agent fenthion banned after it was linked to the deaths of hundreds of birds.

Attending countless meetings over the years to both educate and advocate for conservation, he served as President of the Big Cypress Nature Center for 12 years. Mr. Below guided that entity out of insolvency to a position of strength. The education this center provided to the public was essential and is a testament to Ted Below's fortitude.

Ted Below

Ted's love of nature has led him to grow into an accomplished nature photographer and lecturer on birdlife. As a longtime member of Collier Audubon and the Florida Ornithological Society, Ted is known affectionately in Collier County as the "Bird Man." In 2003, he joined the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve as a staff ornithologist, thereby continuing his work with coastal birds. His knowledge of the wild species of Southwest Florida is great, as is his desire to ensure that these species are around for future generations to enjoy.

Florida native Doug Weaver received his B.S. degree in 1970 and his Masters in Agriculture in 1974 from the University of Florida. In 1980, he graduated from the Mississippi College School of Law, following a tenure as a staffer in both the Florida and Mississippi House of Representatives. From 1980 until 2001, he served as Assistant County Attorney for Volusia County specializing in Land Use and Environmental law.

In 2001, Doug was selected as Director of the newly created Land Acquisition Management Division of the Growth and Resource Management Department. Doug's Division administers the Volusia Forever program, a program created by County voters to preserve lands and waters for future generations. It is anticipated that approximately $169 million shall be accumulated through 2021, all of which will go towards the purchase and management of conservation lands.

Volusia County, while best known for Daytona Beach, possesses a treasure trove of natural attributes. Bordered on the west by the Ocala National Forest and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, it is facing the growth pressure now being endured by many Florida counties. Thankfully, Doug's program has helped to mitigate the onslaught of urbanization, and to date, over 26,000 acres have been purchased for perpetual protection.

The lands acquired by the Volusia Forever program not only provide  residents of the county and visitors the opportunity to participate in hunting, fishing, horseback riding and camping, but also the chance to just be in the woods and enjoy what is left of native Florida. Many areas have been purchased to augment existing conservation lands, or to protect watersheds and critical wildlife habitats. Moreover, management of the tracts includes the reestablishment of native species such as longleaf pines and cypress.

North Florida has been known for its woodlands and timber production for many generations. It is the woods which make our dark water creeks and create the home for our deer, bear and turkeys. It is the also the woods which make for commercial enterprises based on the renewable trees and the products which we all enjoy. The conservation of these forested lands, and their proper management, is crucial to the preservation of our wildlife and our way of life.

Rural Washington County is home to a forester who is also a tried and true conservationist. His Hard Labor Creek Plantation has been managed with nature in mind for many years.

In the early 1990's, Mr. Everett began applying prescribed fire to his pine stands. This practice, which has lately gained much-needed support, is critical to the ecological well-being of our longleaf/wiregrass ecosystem and all the plants and animals that depend upon that system. The suppression of fire has, fortunately, given way to the proactive use of fire. This makes for enriched habitats and wildfire control.

Mr. Everett has also used select cuts and thinning of trees to benefit both flora and fauna. A multitude of species have been helped by this methodology, most importantly the gopher tortoise, which has rebounded on Hard Labor Creek. The gopher tortoise, which has at least 400 commensal species (species which also use the gopher tortoise burrows or in some other way require the presence of the tortoise) is truly a keystone species.

Huge volumes of dark, dirty water are frequently dumped from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Estuary. When this happens, the base of the estuarine food web is washed out to sea, baitfish leave and sport fish follow. Recreational and aesthetic qualities vanish and the local economy is adversely affected. The St. Lucie Estuary needed a champion, and found it in Kevin Henderson, the Executive Director of the St. Lucie River Initiative.

Following graduation from the University of the South at Sewanee, Terry, a third generation Floridian, began working first as an English teacher and then as a contributor to Florida Sportsman magazine. He is now the Assistant Editor of Florida Sportsman as well as Managing Editor of Shallow Water Angler.

Terry's articles not only educate his readers about fishing techniques and honey holes, but place an emphasis on the role fishers can play in influencing environmentally proactive change. It is often the user that is first aware of the problems from pollution or overdevelopment when his or her favorite spot is despoiled.

Presently, one of the issues Terry is working on is beach renourishment and the ecological damage that can result from overly zealous application of this process. Additionally, he is very concerned about the state of our declining coral reefs and the need for more turtle-friendly beach projects.

Terry has gotten the important message of conservation across to hundreds of thousands of readers through the years.

Ricky Pires

Environmental education is a core part of the commitment of the Federation. Passing along knowledge of our distinctive environment is a most critical and necessary task. The education of our fellow citizens, whether young or old, is the only way we can hope to effectuate long lasting change and a dedication to leave what we have enjoyed to future generations.

Ms. Pires' public presentations concerning conservation have included programs at CREW, the Florida Panther Refuge, Lover's Key State Park, Fakahatchee State Preserve, Rookery Bay Science Center, and at Collier, Lee, Hendry and Glades county public schools. She also designed the environmental programs and activities for kindergarten through 6th grade for the Sunshine State Standards, and has presented over 450 environmental programs at her alma mater, Florida Gulf Coast University. Her Florida Panther Posse programs, involving 35 elementary schools, teach the students about our endangered panther, how these animals are studied and the perils they face.  Her panther poster contest included 5,000 participating students with the winning poster put on display at the Florida Senate.

State Senator Tom Lee graduated from the University of Tampa with a B.A. in Business in 1984. He was elected to the Florida Senate in 1996 and is now the President of that body. Among his many accomplishments, he has served as State Executive Director of the Republican Party of Florida and on the Southern States Energy Board. He has also served as President of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and on the Hillsborough City/County Planning Commission.

Senator Lee has been consistent in his support for environmental protection in our state. His dedication to continued funding for projects in the Everglades ecosystem has brought hope to this complicated and vexing issue. He has also stood up for continued funding for the highly successful Florida Forever Program, which has saved hundreds of thousands of acres of conservation land throughout the state, providing for public recreation, water quality protection and wildlife habitat.

Most recently, Senate President Lee was instrumental in the successful acquisition of the Babcock Ranch in Lee and Charlotte Counties. This historic purchase, which will be the largest state-funded land purchase in our history, was the subject of much debate this past Legislative Session. Thankfully, under Senator Lee's leadership, the purchase and proper management of the Ranch shall occur and the public and ecological resources of this vast tract will be preserved. Babcock Ranch will continue to provide for public enjoyment, panther habitat and ecological value for generations to come.

Fish and wildlife rules and laws are only words on a page that require enforcement in the field if they are to have the desired effect. In that regard, the officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are the focal point of fish and wildlife protection as well as the guardians of countless recreational users in our woods and on our waters.

Lt. Chuck Russo, who is assigned to North Palm Beach County, is the kind of officer who blends a commitment to enforce our laws with fairness and understanding. As the supervisor of up to 30 officers at a time, Lt. Russo oversees the Corbett, Jones/Hungryland and Dupius Wildlife Management Areas. These public lands are very heavily used owing to their proximity to the densely populated Southeast coast.

Having previously worked for the old Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the Florida Marine Patrol, Lt. Russo has now placed his loyalty with the new FWC. He has taken on new challenges with conviction, and enjoys the flexibility of being able to be in the swamp or on the ocean as part of his daily assignments. His tasks include not only hunting and fishing regulations, but the oversight of safety for the numerous boaters in his area.

As a leader of other law enforcement personnel, Lt. Russo has gained the respect not only of his colleagues, but of the public he serves. His relationship with the users he protects is a good one; one that is based on trust.