2 weeks Ago
The wetlands on the right, alongside the golf course at hole 14, are set to be developed for new housing at University Club as seen on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save I am deeply saddened to learn that the University Club residents could lose their wetlands . What are we leaving ourselves when we trade off a wetland? Over at Capitol Lake, we are 15 bags shy of pulling out 27 tons of litter.
We pulled out four tons of tires and there are more tires to get because they dump them faster than we can pull them. Until next month’s rains direct dozens of bags of litter into the lake, right now, that beautiful Super Fund site will take your breath away. That’s because it’s a place where roseate spoonbills and white ibis touch down to find a meal in our common home.
Developers, must you take the home residents share with wildlife that brings them so much joy? Or must we pivot and build more zoos? Have we lost our capacity to fight for others to feel the wonder of it all? Can we make sacrifices for our children like previous generations did? In 2021, Florida’s legislature created a statewide network of connected lands and waters to support wildlife and people. The legislation was passed unanimously and had bipartisan support. Today their network boasts nearly 18 million acres in the corridor and $2 billion in foundation money to support their corridor’s vision.
We can do this too, only ours would be better, much better. That’s because we don’t have the scarcity of lands from overdevelopment that in Florida has created bottlenecks for migrating wildlife. Why would we risk having their problems by removing 100 acres of wetland? Why not be old-fashioned and preserve it? Please.
MARIE CONSTANTIN founder, Louisiana Stormwater Coalition Baton Rouge.
