On Oct. 22, the Preserving Paradise program — a partnership between SCCF, Captains for Clean Water, the Everglades Foundation, and the Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce — further explored how restoring America’s Everglades will benefit Florida’s coastal communities, ecosystems, and economies.

Now in its third month, Preserving Paradise has immersed a group of regional business leaders in the science and policy underlying South Florida’s water quality issues. The most recent trip included an airboat tour of the Everglades guided by Dr. Meenakshi Chabba, ecosystem and resilience scientist at the Everglades Foundation.

Dr. Chabba discussed the geology, hydrology, and ecology of the Everglades, illuminated its importance to supplying water for 9 million Floridians, and stressed the need for continued funding for Everglades Restoration projects.

“Some folks may mistakenly believe our islands and businesses are not impacted by the Everglades. In actuality, we are directly and indirectly impacted by the ecology of our nation’s Most Valuable Swamp,” said Preserving Paradise participant Calli Johnson, fourth-generation owner/manager of The Island Store and Bailey’s General Store. “There is no fence to isolate our waters from the rest of the state.”

Everglades restoration “will take time, but if we can continuously push in the right direction year after year, the results will benefit all industries in our area in the near future,” said participant Joe Harrity, partner at HM Restaurant Group, which includes Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.

In past Preserving Paradise sessions, participants have learned about the direct impact water quality has on our local economies, how to be engaged in water quality advocacy, and what needs to be done to restore and safeguard our water. They’ve explored restored and degraded oyster reefs, enjoyed a fishing day learning about the diversity of marine and estuarine species in the Gulf and Pine Island Sound, and will soon embark to the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir to see one of the largest Everglades restoration projects up close and personal.