By Nancy Marshall
September 4, 2016
Palm Beach Post
The Everglades is 
in peril. This past season’s devastating algae blooms in Lake Okeechobee and the estuaries were not the first, nor will they be the last we see. We were fortunate that this year’s bloom did not spread even further.
Invasive species, including melaleuca trees and lygodium, which are vines that smother native trees and vegetation, have been in the Everglades for years. However, its spread was managed. Today, it is taking over many of the vital tree islands or hammocks because there is not enough funding to combat its spread.
Those who have been to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and have watched with awe and wonderment in their eyes, appreciate the importance of having this natural habitat, so close to us, preserved for future generations. It is the last vestige of the Northern Everglades.
The public may not understand the economic value of the refuge to our community. Its 300,000 annual visitors, produces $1.9 million in sales tax revenue, more than 100 jobs and generates $6.81 in economic output for every $1 budgeted for expenditures.
If the challenges to the Everglades are not addressed, this natural habitat will become a desert of problems, eventually making the refuge more vulnerable to development and agriculture takeover.
I implore the community to become involved and demand that our legislators work together to find the funding needed and to resolve the challenges ahead for the sake of our children and grandchildren.
NANCY MARSHALL, WEST PALM BEACH
Editor’s note: Nancy Marshall and her late husband, John Marshall, co-founded the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades 18 years ago to support environmental education.
To read the original Letter to the Editor, click on the link below and scroll down to the third letter:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/letters-river-land-rights-make-border-wall-a-fooli/nsQrh/