Conservation Land, Trustee's Meeting, Daily Painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

I was dismayed to read in this morning's Naples Daily News that nearly 200 acres of Everglades wetlands under consideration for purchase by Conservation Collier has been sold to a private airboat operator. This land lays in the center of lands that are already protected and would have saved a block of wetlands into the future. Selling to a conservation group takes time and takes patience, but well worth the effort when it's the right thing to do. It seems that a box of cigars turned the deal from good faith to a sham. Now the land will have noisy and disruptive airboat tours tearing up the fragile wetland grasses. This land is on the south side of 41 to Everglades City, and will be the closest airboat tour for Marco Island and Naples, but let's not go there!

On a lighter note, here's a turkey trivia quiz for you to enjoy. How much do you really know about the bird? Turkey Quiz How'd you do?

Trustee's Meeting

sold

Wetlands

In the Everglades this time of year water is everywhere and we saw a lot of water during yesterday's visit. This is just as it should be, because summer is the time that this vital watershed recharges itself and sends a flow of fresh water into the Southwest Florida estuaries. Differences in elevation measured only in inches mean this water will eventually find it's way into our coastal estuaries, flushing the fish nurseries so important to our food chain. Every afternoon the thunderheads will build and the flow of fresh water generated and slowly moves to the sea. Water will be abundant until the thunderstorms gradually decrease mid-fall, and dry season begins.

Today's painting is an often visited small wetland area. Sometimes the water seems to be barely moving, but this time of year there's a rush to seek lower ground. It's at it's peaceful best at the edges of day, in the early morning or at sunset.

See you tomorrow at the Artist Appreciation Series at Orion Bank on Marco Island at six!

Wetlands
10" x 8" (25.4cm x 20.4cm)
acrylic on canvas
$275 plus $25 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.