Goal II: Situation Statement
Florida depends heavily on a healthy and sustainable environment. For example, freshwater is a critical resource for agriculture, industry, natural systems, tourism, and the health and convenience of all Floridians. From another view, Florida is a saltwater state. Its estuarine, coastal and marine systems stretch further than all the other Atlantic states from Georgia to New England, and they produce over $5 billion in fisheries and wildlife resources each year, buffer coastal areas from storms, absorb pollutants and provide amenities for coastal settlement, trade and tourism, including over 1 million boaters and divers per year. Terrestrial and freshwater flora and fauna also contribute significantly to Florida’s economy and the quality of life enjoyed by residents and tourists. People recognize the value of their environment. For example, prevention of water pollution, protecting the marine environment, and conservation of wildlife habitat and endangered species were rated as high priority educational issues by 72%, 64% and 50% of respondents to a 1999 survey. As shown by this survey, there is an opportunity and need to inform and educate Floridians about their environment.
The sustainability and health of Florida’s environment is under pressure from a range of human activities. For example, Florida’s water supply is currently sufficient, but experts predict that the 700 new residents arriving in Florida each day will increase demand to 9.3 billion gallons per day by 2020. This increase will put severe pressure on the state’s water and other natural resources. The number of people living in Florida also increases potentially damaging inputs that enter coastal waters via watersheds and runoff. For example, household pesticide use is one factor that leads to five of Florida’s estuaries being among the ten U.S. estuaries most threatened by pesticides. Historical losses of 50% of the salt marsh, 60% of the seagrass, and 85% of the mangroves in some of Florida’s estuaries also need to be repaired. In addition, Florida ranks third among states in the number of plants and animals federally listed as being in danger of becoming extinct, and half of all Florida’s non-marine vertebrates are declining in number. Successful management of these threats will require raised awareness, widespread distribution of useful information, suitable skills, and the demonstration of alternative behaviors that can ensure the quality and quantity of Florida’s natural resources.
The overall objective of this Goal is to sustain or enhance Florida’s environment by increasing relevant knowledge and by motivating citizens, professionals, and agency personnel to take actions that reduce impacts on these valuable resources. The primary impact of this work will be increased efforts to apply sustainable management in Florida. This impact hinges on promoting increased awareness and understanding of ecological, economic, social and management principles and processes among citizens, professionals, and agency personnel. Tangible results include an increased involvement of citizens in monitoring and management, an increased use of key ecological concepts in discussions held by state and federal management agencies, and an increased awareness and use of adaptive and participative management. Programs that improve the skills and resources available to environmental educators also represent critical elements in achieving these objectives.
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