“Here in Islamorada, we’re situated at the edge of Florida Bay,” said Kelly Cox, director of Everglades policy for Audubon Florida, to a record crowd. “Hopefully, we’ll also be the beneficiary of Everglades restoration.”
Cox, a resident of Tavernier, was among many to welcome the South Florida Water Management District governing board (SFWMD) to the Keys and to show appreciation for their work to improve water quality locally.
Audubon Florida and Florida Bay Forever (FBF) hosted the welcoming reception at the FBF headquarters at Green Turtle Hammock on May 11. SFWMD was in town for its monthly governing board meeting, which took place in Key Largo the following day.
Vivian Morrison, a Florida Bay Forever board member and the acting executive director, noted that her organization was founded in 2016 as a result of massive sea grass losses, which led to fish kills. “This really impacted our Keys community and economy,” she said. “We formed Florida Bay Forever to unify the voice of Monroe County and to ensure the health of the bay continues to be a priority.”
She paused before adding, “I am so excited now to say that Everglades restoration is happening. Hopefully our kids and grandkids will see a restored Florida Bay.”
Keys locals and interested parties welcome the SFWMD governing board to the Florida Keys. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Postcards at the reception urge lawmakers to take action to save Florida’s imperiled manatees. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Postcards at the reception urge lawmakers to take action to save Florida’s imperiled manatees. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Kelly Cox of Audubon Florida welcomes the crowd to the reception. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Jerry Lorenz of Audubon Florida discusses the connection between endangered birds, water quality and humans. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Cheryl Meads – SFWMD governing board members Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Cheryl Meads represent Monroe County and talk about their love of the Keys. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Board member Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch mingles with other board members and members of the public before the reception begins. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Gabriela Tejeda, Kelly Cox and Emma Haydocy host the reception at Florida Bay Forever’s property on Green Turtle Hammock. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Florida Bay Forever and Audubon Florida host the reception for the SFWMD Governing Board. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Governing board member Ron Bergeron Sr. has dedicated most of his life to the Everglades. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Vivian Morrison from the Florida Bay Forever board of directors welcomes the crowd. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
A record-breaking crowd attends the SFWMD reception at Green Turtle Hammock. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
Attendees mingle and discuss their common interest: Florida Bay. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 
JD Reinbott and his mom Sue are Florida Bay Forever fans – literally. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly
Jerry Lorenz, state research director for Florida Audubon, thanked the water management district for its support over many years, which allows scientists like him to conduct cutting-edge, objective research on the Everglades and the many species that call it home. This research also affects our coastal economy here in the Keys. He closed with, “Now, we gotta focus on getting the water right.”
The governing board members introduced themselves to the local crowd and shared their favorite Keys memories. Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Cheryl Meads are the two at-large board members representing Monroe County.
Meads described how she and her husband felt when they first moved to the Keys. She recalled, “We thought we’d stay a year; after three weeks, I said to my husband, ‘Why would we ever want to live anywhere else?’”
“We each have a reason to love the Keys,” said Benjamin Butler, the board member representing areas near Lake Okeechobee. “I didn’t understand until my service why my (dive) mask was covered in seagrass. Now, I understand that it’s about getting more freshwater delivery, which is important to save Florida Bay.”
Broward representative Ron Bergeron Sr. ended with a commitment to the crowd, saying, “I want you to know that this board, our staff, will be moving water south. There are certain little barriers we are removing every day. … It’s all about quantity, quality, distribution and timing.”
