Common Ground Found on Public Land
On behalf of over 1,000 members of Sarasota Audubon Society, I extend thanks and best wishes to former Sarasota County Commissioners Eugene Matthews and Charley Richards. Despite our numerous and often confrontational disagreements, Commissioners Matthews and Richards have always supported, and often assumed leadership roles in, the preservation of new public conservation lands. For this, they deserve special recognition.
By building coalitions with environmental groups, private landowners and funding agencies, Commissioners Richards and
Matthews have been successful in preserving thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive land, including numerous parcels within the Myakka River watershed. Most visitors and, for that matter, many full-time residents of Sarasota will never see the trademark open prairies or evergreen pine lands that characterize these Myakka acquisitions. And few will appreciate the biological basis for preserving, in perpetuity, large, intact associations of habitats which allow complex ecosystems to function. However, most citizens will appreciate the higher quality of air and water now afforded Sarasota residents – the result of having preserved these lands, rather than having phosphate mines or additional suburban development with all their infamous byproducts.
Worth preserving: A habitat for wildlife and a haven for humans.
Other environmental purchases provide critical habitat for rare and endangered species. The Shamrock Park in Venice now provides accessible wildlands for schoolchildren to learn natural science first-hand. The Oscar Scherer State Park addition is considered to be the most accessible spot on the planet to view the threatened Florida scrub jay and consequently, ensures a steady flow of ecotourist revenue into Sarasota’s economy.
In recognition of Commissioners Richards’ and Matthews’ proactive approach to environmental lands acquisition, Sarasota Audubon is planting a longleaf pine and a live oak in the picnic area of Oscar Scherer State Park. Just as the environmentally sensitive lands the county has acquired provide multiple uses for both man and wildlife, the planted trees will provide shade to Fourth of July picnickers, and food and shelter to some of Sarasota’s most endangered wildlife.
Of all the capital improvements funded b the County Commission, such as a new library, the Administration Center, Honore Avenue, and purchasing public lands, while all are needed now, all but the latter will be antiquated, depreciated or obsolete in 50 years. Imagine trying to operate today’s Sarasota out of the 1907 courthouse, or teach Generation X out of the 1925 high school, or driving a Lexus on the 1941 Tamiami Trail! Conversely, the natural re source lands acquired consistently add to our quality of life, appreciate in value, supplement our tax base and, despite our techno society, have become anything but obsolete.
Commissioners Richards and Matthews have acquired specific skills and contacts relative to preserving environmentally sensitive lands. We encourage them to use those attributes as private citizens to continue to build upon the, work they accomplished in office. Sarasota Audubon looks forward to working with Gene and Charley as they assume proactive leadership roles in the community, and we thank them for their service.