The Nature Conservancy’s Steward within the Keys

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Chris Bergh, The Nature Conservancy’s Florida subject program director based mostly within the Decrease Keys, is optimistic in regards to the Florida Keys’ future and talent to adapt to environmental challenges within the subsequent few many years.

The Nature Conservancy manages about 645 acres of land from Key Largo to the Saddlebunch Keys, seven miles east of Key West. Chris is a passionate speaker about conservation and preservation of Florida’s pure assets all through the state.

Chris, who typically shares his environmental message as a speaker, believes strongly that when individuals care for nature, nature reciprocates.

“In comparison with different elements of the state, there’s much less growth within the Keys. Regardless that we see redevelopment, lots of our pure assets — akin to pure hardwood hammocks — are nicely protected and managed,” Chris stated. “I be ok with the place we’re at now, however I’m involved about sea degree rise.”

His high priorities embody defending the Keys’ water high quality and its environmental biodiversity to avoid wasting endangered and uncommon species such because the Key deer, nice white heron, Decrease Keys marsh rabbit, Key Largo woodrat and Miami blue butterfly.

As a result of pure useful resource administration companies have the ultimate say on most conservation selections within the Keys, Chris believes in working intently with educational, native, state and federal organizations — offering science-based suggestions and undertaking collaboration.

The Nature Conservancy funds or conducts varied scientific research to determine threats to the Keys’ setting. The group is targeted on using “inexperienced infrastructure” akin to coral reefs, mangroves, seashores and marshes to attenuate erosion and flooding.

After rising up the Keys, Chris left in 1992 to attend Arizona’s Prescott School. He earned a level in environmental conservation and moved again to work with The Nature Conservancy, first as an intern in 1995 after which completely in 1999.

Chris is a member of the Florida Keys Nationwide Marine Sanctuary’s Water High quality Safety Program Steering Committee and a former Sanctuary Advisory Council member. He’s particularly pleased with working to revive greater than 160 acres of wetlands on Large Pine Key, the place he lives with spouse Beth and 16-year-old son Nate.

Chris lives on Large Pine Key along with his spouse Beth and son Nate, and enjoys exploring the Keys’ pure world with them.

Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?

Chris Bergh: At age 2. My household relocated to Key West from Jap Pennsylvania. They have been in search of a change and higher climate, and located each.

KV: What features of the Keys setting or lifestyle matter most to you?

CB: The range of all types: wildlife and vegetation on land and within the sea, and so many distinct cultures with their very own identities.

KV: Who or what impressed you to turn out to be keen about respecting and defending the Keys’ pure world?

CB: I all the time gravitated to the outside. My dad and mom inspired me to spend time exterior as a child, taking part in within the little patches of woods on Key West and Inventory Island, and fishing, diving, and boating at any time when I had the prospect. At 9, I attended a nature conservation-oriented summer time camp within the Everglades, run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee. I discovered that managing pure areas and wildlife populations was a science and an artwork that I wished to review and switch right into a profession.

KV: How does that keenness affect your work or career?

CB: Individuals and nature rely upon each other. Sustaining stability between defending nature for its personal sake, and making certain that individuals use it sustainably so there’s a lot left for future generations, is my aim.

man speaking to environmental organization

Chris is impressed in his work by the Keys’ environmental variety, distinctive pure areas and native species together with Key deer.

KV: What are among the methods, personally or via your work, that you just join with and/or assist defend the native setting and distinctive way of life?

CB: Being open air within the Keys. I stroll the paths on Large Pine Key each day with my canine and get out into the backcountry of the Decrease Keys fairly often. Sharing all of this with my son helps me see how distinctive our pure areas and native species are, and retains me from getting complacent.

KV: What retains you energized, challenged and targeted in your path?

CB: Caring for what nature made and previous conservation efforts saved for all of us is figure value doing. It’s simple to see the constructive and lasting outcomes of conservation efforts — from one finish of the Keys to the opposite — in our nationwide parks and wildlife refuges, state parks and wildlife areas, metropolis parks and personal preserves, plus the Florida Keys Nationwide Marine Sanctuary and offshore aquatic preserves. These pure areas want lively administration and generally intensive restoration to take care of their values for wildlife, vegetation, and folks.

KV: What do you hope your constructive environmental actions will accomplish? 

CB:  Maintaining the Keys biologically various, productive for our economic system, and pleasant for residents and guests alike is my goal.

KV: What’s your favourite pure or eco-friendly exercise within the Keys?

CB:  Strolling within the pine forest on Large Pine Key.

KV: What message would you like your actions and instance to speak to individuals you encounter?

CB:  When individuals care for nature, nature takes care of us.

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