F&N Article 10: How Preserving Martin County’s Natural Lands Will Benefit its Residents

This fall you’ll be asked to vote on a Referendum that will appear on the ballot like this: “Lands to protect water quality, natural areas and wildlife habitat one-half percent sales surtax.”

If approved, it will cost each of us about $5.88 a month or about the price of a barista cup of coffee. So why should anyone consider supporting this?

It’s been mentioned in past Martin County Forever articles how it took more than a year of hard negotiating to build in legally binding “guardrails” that will firmly control how the money generated will be used, including a nine member Citizen Oversight Committee and annual audit. Now we’ll look at how the younger generation and a future leader perceives the Referendum and the value of saving natural lands.

From Cat Villano, 2022 Pine School graduate and junior at University of Florida:

“As my parents and I exited I-95 onto Bridge Road in the summer of 2017, I looked out the
window and observed the green expanse of land that unfolded before us on our way to our new house in Hobe Sound. I had lived in Miami, Florida for my entire life. My last few years in Miami were defined by construction, traffic, and excessive development. Here I was, only 90 miles north, feeling like I was on another planet: an oasis nestled between mangroves, pine scrub, river, and ocean without a high rise in sight.

I have now called Martin County my home for seven years, and I have learned so much about the environment just by living here. I have chanted “Stop the Discharges!” at the top of my lungs during River Kidz rallies, taken walks through the sand pine scrub while attending the Pine School, and hesitantly handled snakes and spiders while volunteering at the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge.

As a Pine School graduate and a current student at the University of Florida, I’ve had many great teachers during my formal education. However, the Florida ecosystem has taught me innumerable lessons beyond the classroom. During my hikes through Jonathan Dickinson State Park, scuba dives in Martin County’s mosaic of waterways, and relaxing afternoons at Blowing Rocks Preserve beach, I have seen nature work in instinctual harmony: every mangrove, insect, and mammal doing its part. Observing this ecosystem (some of which is nearly untouched) has given me an understanding of interconnectedness, balance, and beauty.

My greatest hope is that future generations will similarly experience the joy of exploring and learning from this great oasis, and with that hope comes a charge to change the culture of environmental disruption in Florida. A myriad of problems threaten Florida’s diverse ecosystem, including pollution, biodiversity loss, and water insecurity. Land development has provoked and exacerbated these issues in the past, and we cannot allow history to repeat itself. Draining the swamp, diverting Lake Okeechobee runoff, and destroying pine forests in the name of development cannot continue the way it has for so many decades. This is why Martin County Forever’s land conservation initiative is an essential mission for safeguarding our future.

It is often said of my generation that we are the first to feel the impacts of climate change and the last to be able to do anything about it. A great responsibility has been assigned to the youth and future generations of America. Working with River Kidz, I have found great comfort in meeting many inspiring young people in Martin County who embrace this responsibility.

Protecting our future means recognizing the vision of initiatives like Martin County Forever.

The great environmentalist Jane Goodall once said, “The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” To echo her sentiments, I say take responsibility. Strive to be bold in the effort to conserve Martin County.”

As Cat explains, Martin County is a very special place - and we want to keep it that way. This conservation initiative is our best chance - and maybe our last chance - to purchase these undeveloped lands from willing sellers and ensure they remain that way during our lifetime and for future generations.

If you’d like to dive into the details, the full referendum and ordinance language can be found here.

Any questions? Please reach out to us at martincountyforever@gmail.com. 

For much more info visit www.martincountyforever.com. Follow us on Facebook at Martin County Forever Facebook  or on Instagram at Martin County Forever Instagram.