The Florida Keys demonstrate that it is possible to use conservation as the basis for a vibrant economy and that, with strong conservation measures, large numbers of people can live alongside biodiverse landscapes. This model may not work for many countries that are still developing or that aren’t close enough to large numbers of affluent tourists. Still, conserving land, ocean and wildlife means there is more there for human uses – just not inexhaustible uses. There aren’t foreign companies fishing these waters. There aren’t poor people using dynamite on coral reefs or going into mangrove swamps to harvest wood. But it does show that nature can be resilient when given a chance.
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