Audubon Florida's Director of Advocacy Charles Lee joined Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and a large group of Northern Everglades ranch owners at today's formal announcement of the creation of the 150,000 acre Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area.

Lee gave Audubon's strong support to the decision by Secretary Salazar, indicating that the new Refuge is one of Audubon's top priorities for Everglades restoration. Now that the Refuge and Conservation Area has been formally established, Audubon will support congressional appropriations from the Land And Water Conservation Fund and other sources to support purchase of easements and fee title.

The Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission also signed an agreement today assuming the responsibility of managing hunting and fishing on lands in the Refuge that are open to the public. Lee, who compared the event to President Harry Truman's dedication of Everglades National Park in 1947, pointed out that there is a long road ahead in securing funding to complete the Refuge purchases. Lee was joined at the event by Audubon Board Member George Willson and staff member Dr. Paul Gray who directs Audubon's science program in the Northern Everglades.