Gov. DeSantis embraces Roosevelt conservation ethos | Opinion

The Republican Party moved away from its conservation ethos in the last few decades, but Gov. Ron DeSantis is one of many Republicans re-igniting that in Florida. 

Earlier this month, the governor signed a historic investment in the Everglades, and this is not the first time he has kept his campaign promises on conservation. He proves that we conservatives are the party that cares about the conservation of Florida's ecosystem.

Conservatives started this movement with President Theodore Roosevelt, who first brought the idea of conserving natural resources and the natural environment to the United States presidency. Following his trip to Pelican Island, located in the headwaters of the Everglades, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first National Wildlife Refuge through an executive order. Theodore Roosevelt left behind 230,000,000 acres of public lands as his conservation legacy throughout his presidency.

Many of the most significant and long-lasting environmental policies in American history were started by President Richard Nixon, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act of 1970, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Legacy of Parks program.

In 2018, then-candidate DeSantis promised to be an advocate for the environment, and in 2019, he set a goal of $2.5 billion allocated for the Everglades’ restoration and protection of water resources. DeSantis delivered the conservative model of pro-environmental conservation by delivering $3.3 billion into the environmental restoration of America's River of Grass, the Everglades, and for protecting water resources during his first administration. With this unprecedented level of funding, Florida has been able to speed up several Everglades restoration initiatives. Forty-eight Everglades projects, including the C-43 and C-44 reservoirs, have either begun construction or reached a significant milestone thanks to the Governor's leadership. 

Governor DeSantis' leadership is no doubt Teddy Roosevelt- esque.

Now, the governor is doubling down on his commitment to funding Everglades restoration and improving water quality in Florida. On Jan. 10, he signed Executive Order 23-06, Achieving Even More Now for Florida's Environment, which will secure a historic $3.5 billion over the next four years to restore the Everglades and protect our water resources, including water quality and water supply.  Also, the executive order prioritizes the protection of the Indian River Lagoon and secures at least $100 million annually for priority projects to improve water quality in the lagoon.

Additionally, it directs the South Florida Water Management District to expedite Everglades restoration projects that reduce the risk of harmful discharges and the continuation of efforts by the Blue-Green Algae Task and Harmful Algal Bloom Task Forces.

Executive Order 23-06 strengthens Everglades' restoration and environmental and water quality protection in Florida. The Governor's actions will be of tremendous everlasting benefit to our state's environment and the Everglades. Florida is incredibly fortunate to have a conservative conservation champion in Governor DeSantis. 

Wanderlusting in the wetlands of the Everglades is an awe-inspiring experience. I’ve encountered Pond Cypress and Bald Cypress trees in their natural habitat and saw a couple of manatees, dozens of alligators, birds, turtles, and snakes. Being off the grid while immersing myself in the Everglades was a perfect nature Florida experience. 

All Floridians should visit America's River of Grass, the Everglades. Filled with both alligators and crocodiles, manatees, hundreds of species of birds, 300+ species of fish, the endangered Florida panthers, and a plethora of frogs, turtles, lizards, and snakes, it is truly a wildlife lover's paradise. It’s no wonder our governor is so determined to protect it.

Eric Carr is an activist with the American Conservation Coalition (ACC). He is based in Tallahassee, FL, and holds a Master of Applied American Politics & Policy from Florida State University. He can be reached on Twitter: @_EricCarr.

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