As a child growing up Officer Tom Shirley was a name I became familiar with. He has been a family friend for over forty years. I learned to recognize him, not only as an outstanding law enforcement officer, but also as a true conservationist. Conservationist he is indeed. In 1999 he received the prestigious Frances S. Taylor Outdoorsman of the year award as recognition for his conservation efforts. He had a remarkable career with thirty years’ experience as an officer of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission working in the Everglades. Before working for the commission he grew up in and around the Everglades and then after his retirement he continued with his own business, Tom Shirley’s Everglades Travel Tours, taking tours deep into the swamps and hammocks of the Everglades. He has over fifty years’ experience and knowledge of the Everglades habitats.

Mr. Shirley is now using his extensive knowledge and experience of the natural water flow to bring notice and correct what he and others have recognized as a terminal detriment to the survival of the Everglades and consequently our own wellbeing! These efforts are within Serpentoxin’s Philosophy of our stewardship responsibility to save and restore the environment.

This problem is a result of another example of mankind’s ignorance to “correct” a situation that is unpleasant or inconvenient with a “quick fix” without first understanding the significances of these actions. These actions have and will continue to affect all life.

It is appropriate here to remember parts of Chief Seattle’s Letter. A letter written by a “primitive man” to the “learned” men of the Government of the United States of America. In 1852, in that letter he wrote; “. …This we know, the earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that joins us all. Whatever he does to the web of life, he does to himself…”