A vision of a canal across Florida stretched from Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in the 16th century through 400 years of efforts by national and local leaders who sought funding and manpower for a waterway they believed would strengthen Florida’s economy and role in global commerce. Construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal began in 1964 on land that later became this greenway, but environmental advocates argued that the project was costly, unnecessary, and harmful. Marjorie Harris Carr, drawing attention to the Ocklawaha River she loved, brought together scientists, economists, and activists as the Florida Defenders of the Environment, and at her urging President Richard Nixon halted the canal in 1971. In 1992, the canal lands became the Cross Florida Greenway.