Kelly Cox, Audubon Florida's director of Everglades policy, flew into Washington, D.C. in early May to meet with staffers from 12 congressional offices about Audubon’s funding and project priorities for the Everglades. Alongside Caitlin Wall, policy director for water conservation at the National Audubon Society, the pair advocated for congressional authorization of important projects, including the Western Everglades Restoration Project, the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project, and the Lake Okeechobee Component A Reservoir Project. With appropriations season in full swing, Audubon also supported a $725 million federal ask for Everglades restoration.

“We are looking forward to approval of these critical project authorizations under the Water Resources Development Act of 2024,” says Cox. “Project authorizations, coupled with sustained funding streams, will bring these projects to life—allowing us to make significant headway toward a restored Everglades.”

This is a goal shared by the bipartisan Florida delegation and led by the Everglades Caucus. Audubon met with offices of the caucus co-chairs, Representative Diaz- Balart and Representative Wasserman Schultz, who reaffirmed their commitment to project authorization and funding.

“The bipartisan leadership from the Florida delegation on Everglades issues is unparalleled,” continues Cox. “We are so grateful to have Everglades champions amongst our Congressional leaders and applaud their vision for a restored River of Grass.”

In addition to meetings on Capitol Hill, National Audubon Society also hosted a bird outing for the Florida delegation at the United States Botanic Garden. The outing offered a great opportunity for birding and a good chance to chat about the recent success of the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act—a bipartisan bill that reauthorizes and enhances a conservation program for migratory birds. Each fall, many migratory birds rely on the Everglades as a “last gas station” before completing their migratory paths to South America.

This article originally appeared in the 2024 Summer edition of the Naturalist. To read the full magazine, click here.