"Republicans" and "the Environment" have not traditionally been synonymous with each other.

Or have they?

Long before Al Gore hopped on the global warming train with his "An Inconvenient Truth," Teddy Roosevelt -- a proud Republican -- was a passionate advocate of conservation, fighting for national forests in the West and working to reserve lands for public use.

Today, Republicans continue that advocacy.

In fact, Theodore Roosevelt IV, an active conservationist, will be a keynote speaker at Gov. Charlie Crist's historic Climate Change Summit that starts today in Miami.

Mr. Roosevelt is, among many other leadership positions, chair of the Pew Center for Global Climate Change, a co-vice chair of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a member of the Governing Council of the Wilderness Society, and a past chair of the League of Conservation Voters.

He is also a Republican.

In fact, at the Republican Convention in 2000, he gave the speech on the environment.

Surprising? It shouldn't be.

Republicans like Gov. Crist, Theodore Roosevelt IV, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, also a keynote speaker at the Miami summit, recognize the need to address climate change and work now to protect our natural resources.

In Florida especially, Republicans have worked to protect and conserve to the state's unique physical characteristics, for the environment's sake and for our No. 1 industry -- tourism -- which is dependent on hunters, fishermen, and outdoors-lovers of all types.

Under Republican leadership in the Florida House and Senate, the state of Florida has undertaken major environmental projects, such as the Everglades Forever Program in 2004, funded with $100 million in cash.

This fiscally-responsible approach ensures the next generation of Floridians is not burdened with our debt -- but also ensures they continue to enjoy the one-of-a-kind natural resources that make Florida the incredible state it is.

Gov. Crist's 2007-08 budget demonstrates he is willing to put real resources over the rhetoric.

For example, the budget allocates $54 million to Lake Okeechobee and estuary recovery in order to enhance Everglades restoration.

It provides an additional $40 million to restore the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and estuaries as well as $6 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for pollution controls.

At the national level, since President Bush took office, the federal government has invested $12 billion to develop cleaner, less expensive, and more dependable energy sources.

In doing so, Republicans are working to make our nation less dependent on foreign energy sources, while encouraging cleaner energy that is better for the environment.

Gov. Crist's climate change summit is one of many Republican-led initiatives that focuses on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.

As such, Gov. Crist and other Republicans are working today to carry on the legacy of the great environmental advocates -- visionaries like President Theodore Roosevelt, a proud Republican and a proud conservationist.

Greer is chairman of the Republican Party of Florida in Tallahassee.