The destruction of a recently discovered ecological treasure in the heart of an urban area by South Dublin County Council is distressing news.

Between 2008 and 2010, the owners illegally deep-ripped 872 acres of the ranch to make room for more orchards, destroying 80 acres of vernal pool wetlands and damaging two acres of Coyote Creek.

Explore the key moments in Manatee County’s fight over wetland protections as local leaders face challenges from developers and state legislation.

A strong link was found between broken up wetlands and human population density. Such fragmented wetlands could release carbon dioxide equivalent to 0.6% of the total global annual emissions.