Environment

In South Florida, where the Everglades meet the bays, environmental challenges abound. Sea level rise threatens homes and real estate. Invasive species imperil native plants and animals. Pesticides reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, but at what cost? WLRN's award-winning environment reporting strives to capture the color and complexity of human interaction with one of the most biodiverse areas of the planet.

Natural Areas Funding No Longer On Palm Beach County Commissioners' Agenda

WLRN 91.3 FM

Published March 12, 2018 at 3:39 PM EDT

The beach at Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach.

Palm Beach County's designated natural areas are off the agenda at Tuesday's commission meeting.

The 34 public sites are used for hiking, biking, fishing and environmental education. In two years, there may not be any money left for maintenance. Commissioners had planned to discuss an item related to funding at their regularly scheduled meeting this week.

Conservation advocates say they still plan to speak during a public comment period and deliver more than 1,200 cards requesting the commissioners' support.

"You're looking at some very important land," said Scott Zucker, vice president and conservation chair for Audubon Everglades. He said commissioners shouldn't "just zero out" funding for the natural areas, but acknowledged, "We're asking them to make some tough choices."