1000 Friends of A Resolution of the Coalition in Support of the Establishment Arthur R. Marshall Foundation of a Marine Reserve in to Promote Coral Reef Audubon Florida Audubon Society of the Everglades Ecosystem Conservation and Enhancement Audubon of Southwest Florida Citizens Association / Riverwatch WHEREAS, Biscayne National Park is a national treasure, protecting part of the Center for Biological Diversity third-largest coral reef system in the world and the longest stretch of mangrove forest Clean Water Action remaining on Florida’s east coast, providing habitat and nursery grounds for important Collier County Audubon Society Conservancy of Southwest Florida commercial and recreational fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, and offering refuge to Defenders of Wildlife many endangered species; Ding Darling Wildlife Society Earthjustice Environment Florida WHEREAS, Biscayne is the largest marine park in the National Park System, Everglades Coordinating Council established by Congress to protect “a rare combination of terrestrial, marine, and Everglades Foundation Everglades Law Center amphibious life in a tropical setting of great natural beauty” for present and future Florida Conservation Alliance generations; Florida Defenders of the Environment Florida Keys Environmental Fund Florida Native Plant Society WHEREAS, is closely linked to the greater Everglades ecosystem, Florida Oceanographic Society directly connected to the waters of and receiving much-needed freshwater Florida Wildlife Federation Friends of the Arthur R. Marshall inflows from the Everglades; Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Friends of the Everglades WHEREAS, coral reef health and fish populations in Biscayne National Park Hendry Glades Audubon Society Institute for Regional Conservation have been on the decline for decades due to many cumulative stressors, including Izaak Walton League Florida Division acidification, warming seas, over-fishing and over-use, leaving some species Izaak Walton League Florida Keys Chapter populations on the verge of collapse; Izaak Walton League Mangrove Chapter Izaak Walton League of America Last Stand WHEREAS, Biscayne National Park is in the process of updating its General League of Women Voters of Florida Loxahatchee River Coalition Management Plan, which will guide park management over the next 20 years Martin County Conservation Alliance and is considering the creation of a marine reserve as an alternative to protect National Audubon Society the park’s severely threatened coral reef ecosystems; National Parks Conservation Association National Wildlife Federation National Wildlife Refuge Association WHEREAS, marine reserves are a science-based tool used to protect coral reef Natural Resources Defense Council Ocean Research & Conservation Association ecosystems and fish populations, reducing impacts from marine debris and damage Reef Relief to coral reefs, and providing areas where different types of recreational users can Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation enjoy marine resources without interference from extractive activities. Save It Now, Glades! Sierra Club erefore, be it resolved: Sierra Club Broward Group Therefore, be it resolved: Sierra Club Calusa Group Sierra Club Central Florida Group Sierra Club Florida Chapter The Everglades Coalition, with 55 organizations dedicated to the full Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Sierra Club Miami Group protection and restoration of America’s Everglades, is in support of the Snook and Gamefish Foundation creation of a marine reserve within Biscayne National Park in order to South Florida Audubon Society Tropical Audubon Society ensure the conservation and protection of Biscayne’s incredible marine The Urban Environment League of resources for the benefit of all Americans for generations to come. Greater Miami

Cara Capp Jason Totoiu National Co-Chair State Co-Chair

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