Back from the swamp

I'm barely back from Florida, and my mind is still stuck in Everglades National Park and Lake Okeechobee. I was over in the southern part of the state last week with about 20 other journalists from around the country to study with scientists and environmental experts.

Some of the best times, most educational times we had were out in the field -- slogging through the Everglades (although the ground was uncomfortably dry), boating near the Smithsonian Marine Station and wadding into Lake Okeechobee. To see me mucking around in the lake with my new friend Jeremy, check out the photo.

Lack of water is a problem in Florida, spurring a project to restore the Everglades. Water quality is also an issue. It's a problem that relates to us here in Merced County as well. The Merced River also has water quality issues, what with chemical spills and development nearby. Some say water quality problems all over California have contributed to the scary decline of the Chinook salmon.

People in Florida are worried about the same issues, too. Lake Okeechobee now contains too much phosphorus from over fertilizing, said biologist Donald Fox, who works with Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Fish numbers in the area are also getting low, he said --- the lowest numbers of fish since 1973.

Again, I plan to write more about the connections between Florida and Merced County's water issues -- so stay tuned.