Limelight well deserved for SCCF
To the editor:
Have you wondered who was literally and figuratively standing behind Gov. Ron DeSantis last week when he took several strong and swift actions to support our water quality? It was Rae Ann Wessel, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Natural Resources policy director armed with methodically collected environmental data by a team of SCCF marine scientists who have objectively documented findings that were needed to definitively impact these water quality crisis policy decisions.
Having both a state-of-the-art independent marine lab that conducts practical studies with real world applications and a well-respected, incredibly articulate on-staff policy director puts SCCF in a unique position to identify and advocate for the most practical addressable solutions to this complex problem. So it is no wonder that SCCF landed in the limelight when this historic announcement was made. As a picture taken during the governor’s announcements shows, which was published in the Jan. 16, 2019, edition of the Island Reporter, SCCF has earned the utmost respect of its scientific and environmental advocacy peers, as well as that of newly-elected politicians.
I hope that others throughout our region and state will join me in applauding and financially supporting the far-reaching impact of this highly effective “local” foundation. SCCF made a strategic long-term investment in 2002 when it founded a marine lab and began systematically monitoring key indicators of water quality, knowing that longitudinal data would be instrumental in identifying causation and ultimately impacting actionable solutions.
SCCF’s one-two punch – accurate useful scientific data, combined with clear communications identifying the most salient implications and pragmatic solutions – makes every dollar donated to it one of the best philanthropic investments any Floridian could make. Thank you for considering supporting SCCF’s efforts for protecting our individual pocket books, collective economy, shared environment and health.
To stay up-to-date on water quality issues, visit SCCF online at www.sccf.org.
Linda Linsmayer
Sanibel