Backup Documents 04/13/2010 Item # 5A5q
April 13, 2010
Statement from National Park Service
Pedro Ramos, Superintendent Big Cypress National Preserve
To the Collier County Board of Commissioners and
the Collier County Tourist Development Council:
The National Park Service cares for places that are iconic to the
American people. These places - whether natural, historic or cultural -
tell the story of where we come from and who we are as a societ%.
Congress has been setting national park areas aside for over 100 years to
be protected so that future generations may enjoy and be inspired by
these special places. This is an awesome mission. But is also a tremendous
responsibility that we cannot fully meet without the help of communities
throughout the country that choose to step up. Collier County is one of
those communities that have chosen to step up.
For many years we have partnered with the Collier County Board of
Commissioners and the Tourism Development Council. In particular, for
years now, we have worked closely and successfully with Commissioner
Colletta on very difficult access issues to ensure that people can
continue having a meaningful connection with the Big Cypress Swamp and
in particular Big Cypress National Preserve. Reasonable and sustainable
access is certainly one very important responsibility we have to deliver
on. But education is another. As people come and go and demographics
change in our community and surrounding areas, we must work together in
making sure citizens understand the importance of the public lands
around them.
The protection of unique south Florida natural treasures,
including the Big Cypress Swamp, will depend greatly on our collective
success in telling the story of the swamp and developing our next corps
of friends, future stewards and ambassadors. The New Big Cypress Swamp
Welcome Center will allow us to do just that - tell the story about this
gem of a place we have in our backyard.
Today we thank the Collier Board of Commissioners and the Tourism
Development Council for contributing to the South Florida National Parks
Trust campaign effort that made the exhibitry for the center a reality.
The National Park Service is fortunate to serve as stewards of the Big
Cypress within a County so committed to conservation and to providing
its residents and visitors with a unique natural environment to enjoy
dnd be inspired by.
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