By Diane Hines
May 16, 2019- Apalachicola Riverkeeper and the Gallery at High Cotton co-hosted a talk by author/photographer Lynne Buchanan. Lynne’s newly published 232-page book of photography,Florida’s Changing Waters: A Beautiful World in Peril, features outstanding photographs as well as remarks by Lynne and two leading Florida scientists, Jason M. Evans and Robert L. Knight. 
Lynne Buchanan, a native Floridian who grew up in Sarasota, provides a photographic journey through Florida’s best-loved natural waters and ecosystems in her book, starting in the Western Panhandle and moving eastward, then southward, eventually ending in the Everglades National Park and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. There are notes at the back of the book explaining the location and context of each photograph as well as the challenges facing the particular water body.
Lynne explained her passion for the project which began in 2011. The Apalachicola River is featured prominently in the book. She told the assembled group that Franklin County and the Apalachicola River are her favorite parts of Florida. She participated in RiverTrek a few years ago, which was a life changing experience for her. Sadly, she noted, the negative effects of pollution, population growth and urban sprawl across the state are all too clear when it comes to the waterways of Florida’s wetlands, forests, parks and preserves. Water quality has declined affecting the biodiversity of the ecosystems as well as human health. It is truly a world in peril, she noted.
Diane Hines is Deputy Director at Apalachicola Riverkeeper.