REI Presents: The Last Green Thread

On a narrow path through Florida's Everglades Headwaters, three friends embark on a journey to survey a fragile wilderness corridor before it disappears forever. Amidst a backdrop of massive development and population growth, their expedition documents the vitality and connectedness of an ecosystem in a state of rapid transformation. Mother nature may be resilient - but when the last green thread is stretched to the breaking point, can we summon the courage and resourcefulness to change course?
Credits:
Grizzly Creek Films
Danny Schmidt Films
Florida Wildlife Corridor
Eric Bendick
Danny Schmidt
Carlton Ward Jr.
Mallory Dimmitt

[@discoverfloridachannel]

Should be required viewing for every Floridian.

[@FLtrailblazer]

They do great work in showcasing the importance of the Florida wilderness and wildlife

[@MyraHart1943]

Oh man R.E.I., thank you so much for this! Florida is being strangled by highways and subdivisions. Huge swaths of land are being plowed in a day. It's not looking good here.

[@bernarddesrosiers2217]

This is remarkable. We all take for granted that all the commercial development is good for the state. It's not. We deprive so much of nature's treasures to live as they did years ago. I heard a special on this years ago on NPR. Most people don't know about it. Keep up your efforts. We appreciate it!

[@CoderShare]

This is the truest thing ever. I live in Naples FL, and the speed of building ugly developments is unbelievable. Every week I see some new section of clear cutting for development that used to be gorgeous wilderness. Just last week a bear was struck 3 times by separate vehicles on I-75 causing a massive pile up.

[@really1570]

A beautiful sight and oh so hard to watch. Thank you for shining a light on this pressing need to save the very essence of Florida and all it has to offer to the southern ecosystem.

[@craigapelbaum1629]

That's the real Florida. Save it forever.

[@TAndrackeH]

I hope you are doing your part. M-CORES and the unnecessary roads to nowhere need opposition voices now.

[@iamt4649]

Very well done. As a lifelong wanderer in Florida's wild places, it's heart-warming to see there are people out there still fighting to preserve it. Thank you!

[@Truth_Matters_to_Me]

Green swamp is my favorite hiking area in FL. It would be awful to think of this area gone, it is beautiful with a wide variety of wildlife. It's also a major aquifer. Good that people like this and REI (why I'm a member) are speaking up to make sure the concrete jungle doesn't push out everything else, seems easy to forget in the building frenzy.

[@rei]

Thank you for your comments. Thank you for being a member!

[@bereantrb]

So happy to see this widely available. The Florida Wildlife Corridor has been doing wonderful work for a number of years, including some outstanding documentaries. But they haven't gotten the audience they have deserved. I hope this gets viewed and shared widely. Florida needs them and more people who understand the perils of poorly managed growth.

[@nelsonian]

so true, the Florida Wildlife Corridor has been doing wonderful work, and I hope this video gets viewed and widely shared. Is there anything the individual person/voter can do? Can each state form a "Bill of Rights" for the environment? Such as: multiple corridors for wildlife, a certain amount of greenspace, etc.? How do we get together to preserve the beauty of nature without getting political?

[@rei]

We encourage people to support this vision by donating to the effort, educating themselves on the issues, and getting involved in local, state and regional efforts to help ensure that decision makers are including wildlife corridors in their growth and planning decisions. You can learn more at floridawildlifecorridor.org.

[@connorshanklin]

As someone who as just moved out of the residential development world, this felt so close to home. I could not stand to see what was happening and with so much hubris. Now, it's time to start thinking forward as an ecosystem. Your timing could not be better!

[@rei]

Thanks for watching. We appreciate your thoughts.

[@ianmondread]

Thank you REI and everyone involved with this production! It is alarming how little remains but there is still hope thanks to people like y'all spreading the word :)

[@flyakadventures8946]

Thanks REI and to all who created this video for environmental awareness. Back in the 1980's I lived in this area. I was actively involved with the local Audubon Society [Lake Region Audubon Society] and the Sierra Club. We saw the onslaught of population growth fueling massive development across Central and South Florida. These wildlife corridors and watersheds are extremely important to protect. Hopefully this video production will continue to educate and bring further awareness to save these lands for future generations. I am proud to be an REI Co-Op member and appreciate the grants REI gives to many environmental and outdoor recreation organizations. THANK YOU REI!

[@rei]

Hi there, thanks for sharing your story and for your work helping to protect these vital areas! We hope this video will help encourage people to get involved, spread the word, and plan with wildlife corridors in mind.

[@4reunitedstates]

Another outstanding film by Carlton & friends! Thank y’all for everything you do for Florida.

[@tgraydar]

Damn. I can actually smell it. Not the turkey legs at Disney or the car exhaust. The swamp. If you're from Florida, you know it. Gorgeous piece.

[@Klauz897]

This is very informative for Floridians and people across the USA. I for one have witnessed the destruction of overpopulation through commercial and residential mayhem throughout the state. We need to build fences that lead to natural bridges and tunnels to allow for mammals to navigate through i-4 and all major highways in Florida. Apart of me has given up, but apart of me continues to share my knowledge with friends and loved ones about the destruction of clear cutting forests in Florida and the rest of the world. There should also be stricter regulations on cutting down grand father oaks and the old pines, not to mention planting more indigenous species in suburbs rather than non-native sub tropicals that don't do a thing for the ecosystem. Conservation and preservation must NOT be taken lightly. Lets fight for our future and the future generations of all nature lovers! As for the people who dislike this, I feel sorry for you.

[@francofernandez8735]

THIS ^

[@Teacher2Polis2XtraRice]

Fantastic video. I hope they will preserve this area. Many beautiful animals are living there

[@hillshepardson9537]

Wow!..Such beauty..Sorry it’s disappearing

[@hikerdad]

Thank you all for shining a light on this pressing issue. The clock is ticking to save wild florida.

[@kahlagentry1023]

Thank-you REI

[@edal3375]

I can not understand how some give thumb down. All they know We humans are an invasive specie, the least we can do is respect the rest species sharing with us this planet we are destroying... Great job people...I watch the two big journeys you have done...Thanks a lot for showing to the world...

[@9to5Hiker]

REI with another fantastic video. Well done.

[@davidbarnes2736]

Thank you Carlton and crew! We can save it!

[@greenfaith]

Thank you so much for this wonderful informational video!

[@PeeInMyWetsuit]

Love all the music by Caamp!!

[@spacecadet236]

This is gorgeous and sad all at once.

[@FLtrailblazer]

Stop paving Florida!

[@starthrower715]

Thank you.

[@laur8535]

This was so well done thank you. I'm wondering if REI could also do a piece about how Trump's proposed wall would damage Wildlife corridors also dividing many more ecosystems literally in half and making them impassible for the animals who live in them. I feel like we're not hearing enough about that these days thank you

[@cooorsbanq4226]

Trump doesnt care

[@hikewithmike4673]

Fight for the Wild!!!!!

[@venebarcalulu32]

Wow. And i’m going to REI’s orlando store for the first time tomorrow. 😂....seriously this video was fascinating. I had no idea about the wildlife so close to I-4.

[@rei]

Hi Andrew, we're glad we could help shed light on the issue. You can learn more here: floridawildlifecorridor.org

[@TAndrackeH]

Precisely the problem with most FL residents. I still have enough optimism left to believe if everyone knew, FL would not be doing what we've been doing to eradicate the natural balance which sustains us. Awareness it the first step, then we love, then we protect what we love. Please get involved with FL Wildlife Corridor or Sierra or the many conservation coalitions in this state and you, too, can be part of the healing.

[@romandial]

very cool and sad at the same time

[@southstar8025]

Well done 👏🏼

[@TheJosh9150]

REI Spotify! Do it!!

[@joshwise9894]

Thanks for all you do for Florida! What are some ways average people can help?

[@rei]

Hi there, great question! There are many ways to get involved. You can support this big vision by donating to the effort, educating yourself on the issues, sharing your interest and passion in wild Florida with others and gettting involved in local, state and regional efforts to help ensure that decision makers are including wildlife corridors in their growth and planning decisions. You can also learn more at floridawildlifecorridor.org.

[@hillarytully]

@@rei You should put this info in the video description! I hope everyone will donate, reach out to their representatives, and learn more after seeing this video.

[@ralphmiller4345]

So cool

[@richardbarrett2625]

It makes me so sad 😞

[@williamparker2922]

As a native Floridian... I'm speechless and partly disgusted. Humans are such irresponsible creatures, given what they are capable of.

[@rei]

We understand your sentiment, and continuously focus our energy on ways to positively impact outdoor places.

[@storytellingclassics]

Can we build some wildlife bridges across 275?

[@candymorris6134]

Where can I purchase this video? Is this the complete recording?

[@tannenbaum7594]

It makes me very sad.😰

[@BrodyToYou]

Where can I go to see the actual expedition?

[@melissapaly4740]

Hi REI - I would like to screen this at a film festival - how do I get permission to do so and ideally, get a downloadable HD version that will hold up on a big screen? Thanks.

[@girliedog]

Gosh they look awful fresh & clean after days in the swamp.

[@storytellingclassics]

I guess that's 75 north of Pinellas.

[@d.j.gillen2305]

the invention of the combustion engine was, in my opinion, the single greatest down fall to this planet....i'd ride a horse but town legislature says no way jose. i day dream about the wild america our ancestors experienced.

[@thethrill0296]

Agreed.

[@joemdo_southflorida]

Ride a bicycle... that's what I do!

[@mark89v]

7.5 billion

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

If they want to save this corridor, they need to start by getting rid of their corrupt and greedy elected officials.

[@matlachaboatridesandrental2841]

Florida Rights of Nature Network is working with 30 communities to create rights protections for local ecosystems. We are here to assist residents make the laws a reality to give themselves legal standing to represent the ecosystems and give themselves the legal rights to clean water. Orange County did it .. now for the entire state. “How may the 'rights' of water affect properties in Orange County? Meyers & Stanley attorney explains. A legal battle over the rights of water in Orange County may upend development. By Jack Witthaus Staff Writer, Orlando Business Journal 2 hours ago An Orlando environmental activist's lawsuit may upend real estate development in Orange County on and near waterways. The lawsuit filed April 26 seeks to prevent construction on Orange County wetlands on 1,923 acres south of State Road 528 and east of State Road 417 for a mixed-use project called Meridian Parks Remainder. The lawsuit is the first major test of Orange County's new charter passed in November 2020 that gives water in Orange County rights to "exist, flow, be protected against pollution and maintain a healthy ecosystem." In fact, the plaintiffs in this case are literally the water bodies that will be affected - the Wilde Cypress Branch, Boggy Branch, Crosby Island Marsh, Lake Hart and Lake Mary Jane. The legal battle has been billed as the "first U.S. rights of nature" case, according to the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, and has the potential to affect construction in other Florida counties that may pass similar charters. Real estate executives privately are concerned about the lawsuit's repercussions, which could chill development in Orange County and may drive up costs in terms of legal fees for developers. Meanwhile, environmental advocates argue that whatever profits from developing on or near water will be washed away by the costs in eventually cleaning it up. Orlando Business Journal spoke with Orlando attorney Steve Meyers of Meyers & Stanley who is representing activist Chuck O'Neal in the legal battle. Here's what Meyers had to say about the lawsuit and why Orange County residents and developers should care: What water does this charter protect? It's all natural water bodies and wetlands in Orange County. The law gives local citizens a right to file a lawsuit. Our waters are collapsing everywhere. Almost every major body of water in Orange County is classified as impaired. Doesn't this legal battle cost the government money? It will cost taxpayers more eventually to clean up these waters. It's much cheaper to try to prevent this even if there are litigation costs to the government. What does it cost Orange County currently to have impaired bodies of water? I look at it like this: What if Lake Apopka was a beautiful, clean lake? What would the property values be around there? If we lose the Wekiva River to pollution, what does that do to property values and tourism? Florida is a state of lakes, and we're losing. Why are more people paying attention to polluted waters in Orange County? Before this charter, there wasn't much people could do if development hurt their water. Our statewide regulatory system is set up so that if a developer gets a permit, they are immune from local citizens wanting to protect their water. As people learn more, they understand that nature and bodies of water should have legal rights like a corporation. Is it not worthy of someone defending water beyond a permit in a regulatory system? What happens if you lose? This lawsuit is driving water rights into the mainstream. The old paradigm that water is to be simply used and consumed is over. Should we build on any wetlands? We've gone way past what's sustainable. I wouldn't want any more building on wetlands. However if a developer wants to pave over wetlands, then the community has to have the right to challenge that in court. Why should Orange County residents care? Developers always talk about their property rights, but they rarely pay sufficient impact fees to protect the waterways. They do their damage, and a lot of them don't live here. But there are people who live on or near polluted bodies of water. So someone in New York makes a fortune while the residents here live next to a lake that's ruined. But we should all have the right to canoe down the Wekiva River, for example, and not have it ruined.”

[@GoodMorning-uz4xz]

finally.. take a page from Patagonia's playbook of environmental marketing with a great ROI because of socially conscious company. Patagonia grew like 30% last year, this is capitalism at its finest. Companies finding ways to veil their for-profit motives with social/ environmental justice. Not all bad... but still shady.

[@jolpenrose]

Population growth does not equal an improved quality of life.

[@TAndrackeH]

Right now the M-CORES roads to nowhere for no need are begging for opposition letters/email/calls. Only massive outpouring of outrage will have any effect. Please help. All existing highways need overpasses and underpasses for wildlife, and human habitation developments MUST have better land use planning implemented. Growth management regs have been dumped by the state for reasons of greed, and we need them back, for our own quality of life and that of all the other species and our freshwater resources.