We are thrilled that the City Council of Marco Island voted 6-1 to join the newly-forming Southwest Florida Regional Resiliency Compact. City Councilor Charlette Roman, who also serves on the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, advanced the compact to the City Council. 

Climate change knows no boundaries; when it comes to resilience, we know that we are stronger when we work together. Counties and cities that join the Compact commit to jointly identifying and addressing the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, intensifying hurricanes, and erosion. Members will share scientific data and planning tools, develop a unified action plan, and support one another as they prepare for, adapt to, and mitigate climate change impacts. The unified voice of the Compact will better poise Southwest Florida to apply for federal funding and grants, to secure the necessary resources to move climate solutions forward, and to advocate for state and federal legislation that is responsive to the region’s needs.

Marco Island is the second municipality out of the prospective members – Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties and their respective municipalities – to signal their commitment. The first county to join the Compact, Charlotte County, approved the MOU in July, and the City of Sanibel followed in August. Marco Island's leadership and care for climate issues is an important step in amplifying Southwest Florida’s ability to protect its natural resources and bolster its resilience in our changing climate.