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OBITUARY: Nathaniel Reed
The conservation giant dedicated his life to preserving Florida’s environment.
Nat Reed wanted “to catch one last, perfect salmon before I go.” He couldn’t have scripted it better. The staunch environmentalist was fishing in Quebec with his son when he caught then released a 16-pound salmon. In his effort to catch another, he slipped and hit his head. The 84-year-old died a week later on July 11.
The resident of Jupiter Island in Martin County served under two presidents and six Florida governors. He co-wrote the Endangered Species Act, founded 1000 Friends of Florida and helped found the Everglades Foundation. He played a key role in crafting the Clean Water Act. He was instrumental in blocking construction of a jetport in the Big Cypress Swamp and putting an end to the Cross-Florida Barge Canal. He had a hand in winning support for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and establishing a national park in Biscayne Bay. He encouraged the state to buy land to keep it out of the hands of developers. His efforts led to the creation of Florida Forever.
“He never earned a salary. He never took money,” says his son Adrian Reed. “All of his efforts for the environment and the Everglades, it was love. And he considered it a duty.”
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