Mark Sees Presents the Orlando Wetlands Park Story at November Meeting

By Jim Meyer

Orlando Wetlands Park. It was truly a fantastic presentation on the development, operation, and the benefits of this 1200 plus acre artificially developed Wetlands. As Mark explained, it came in the “nick of time” for Orlando and the Iron Bridge Reclamation Facility located some 16 miles away which was operating at capacity. Since the Park was the first large-scale developed Wetlands in the World and has been so successful, Mark gets frequent requests from other Countries, domestic planners, and even Everglades representatives for tours and information.

The Park continues to provide ideal habitat and nesting opportunities for Wildlife and recently arriving species such as the Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Crested Caracara. The bird and animal species list is now around 200 up from the 24 before the Wetlands development.

Based on the response of our attendees, Mark’s enthusiasm was contagious. The Orlando Wetlands Park will reopen on January 21 and the annual Festival will be held on February 18, 2006. I know I’ll be there on both of those dates and I know many of you will want to enjoy this fantastic Nature Park as well. See you there!