Fort Myers locals lobby for Everglades funding in DC

Lee County activists migrated north to Washington D.C.to convince lawmakers to support funding for Everglades restoration.

There is a 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) poised for review this year, and those who support Everglades restoration are hoping to get federal money to help build the new Everglades Agricultural Area south of Lake Okeechobee.

Representatives from a variety of conservation organizations, tourism industries and fishing and boating company owners joined forces to lobby leaders April 24 and 25 in the nation's capital.

Among them were Rae Ann Wessel, policy director for Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, and Captain Daniel Andrews of Captains for Clean Water.

It was Andrews' first time ever in D.C., and after two days of Everglades-centric focus, he said he did get to see some of the nation's historical buildings.

The Everglades Foundation helped to host the America's Everglades Summit in D.C.on April 24 and 26, bringing in panelists across industries and guest speakers from both Congress and activist tables to speak about the importance of the Everglades National Park to the nation. Andrews, Wessel and others spent one day in meetings with members of Congress to explain the need for the funding.

Wessel said about 200 people from south Florida joined the effort.