Chris Bergh, The Nature Conservancy’s Florida discipline program director based mostly within the Decrease Keys, is optimistic concerning the Florida Keys’ future and talent to adapt to environmental challenges within the subsequent few a long time.
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 sources all through the state.
Chris, who typically shares his environmental message as a speaker, believes strongly that when folks handle nature, nature reciprocates.
“In comparison with different components of the state, there’s much less improvement within the Keys. Although we see redevelopment, lots of our pure sources — reminiscent of pure hardwood hammocks — are nicely protected and managed,” Chris mentioned. “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 businesses have the ultimate say on most conservation choices within the Keys, Chris believes in working intently with educational, native, state and federal organizations — offering science-based suggestions and mission collaboration.
The Nature Conservancy funds or conducts numerous scientific research to determine threats to the Keys’ surroundings. The group is concentrated on using “inexperienced infrastructure” reminiscent of 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 Huge Pine Key, the place he lives with spouse Beth and 16-year-old son Nate.
Chris lives on Huge Pine Key together 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 Japanese Pennsylvania. They have been searching for a change and higher climate, and located each.
KV: What points of the Keys surroundings or lifestyle matter most to you?
CB: The variety of every kind: wildlife and crops on land and within the sea, and so many distinct cultures with their very own identities.
KV: Who or what impressed you to grow to be enthusiastic about respecting and defending the Keys’ pure world?
CB: I at all times gravitated to the outside. My mother and father inspired me to spend time exterior as a child, enjoying within the little patches of woods on Key West and Inventory Island, and fishing, diving, and boating every time I had the prospect. At 9, I attended a nature conservation-oriented summer season 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 check and switch right into a profession.
KV: How does that zeal affect your work or occupation?
CB: Folks and nature rely on each other. Sustaining steadiness between defending nature for its personal sake, and guaranteeing that folks use it sustainably so there’s loads left for future generations, is my purpose.
Chris is impressed in his work by the Keys’ environmental variety, distinctive pure areas and native species together with Key deer.
KV: What are a number of the methods, personally or by means of your work, that you just join with and/or assist defend the native surroundings and distinctive way of life?
CB: Being outside within the Keys. I stroll the paths on Huge Pine Key day by day with my canines and get out into the backcountry of the Decrease Keys fairly continuously. 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 centered in your path?
CB: Taking good care of what nature made and previous conservation efforts saved for all of us is figure value doing. It’s straightforward to see the optimistic 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 typically intensive restoration to take care of their values for wildlife, crops, and folks.
KV: What do you hope your optimistic environmental actions will accomplish?
CB: Retaining the Keys biologically various, productive for our financial system, and pleasing 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 Huge Pine Key.
KV: What message would you like your actions and instance to speak to folks you encounter?
CB: When folks handle nature, nature takes care of us.
