Audubon of Florida released a call for bold action on Everglades restoration today in light of scientific consideration that this unique ecosystem is reaching an ecological tipping point beyond which environmental degradation becomes irreversible.

“As the National Research Council found, to do nothing is to do harm,” Executive Director David Anderson said. “That is simply unacceptable. We need to prioritize and act quickly to avoid a major ecological collapse.”

Amongst the solutions to heal the Everglades, Audubon calls for prioritizing key restoration projects and bundling other inter-dependent projects in the core areas of the southern Everglades.

Audubon’s call to action, titled, Tipping Point for the Everglades: Bold Restoration Action Needed, cites several key indicators of a declining Everglades ecosystem, including the loss of major wading bird nesting colonies, almost two-thirds of the snail kite population, recurrent algal blooms in Florida Bay, and the lowest number of roseate spoonbills nesting in northeastern Florida Bay last year since 1963.

“Our understanding of the ecosystem has improved over the more than a century that Audubon has been protecting birds and the ecological health of the Everglades. We need focused action now to restore the ecology of the system and recover the magnificent birds and wildlife that call it home. Everglades restoration needs to prioritize implementation and re-organize critical projects for immediate ecological and hydrological benefits.” Anderson said. ”Our call is to take a look at the projects that are realistically doable and absolutely necessary to bring the Everglades back from the brink.”

Read the press release (although you kinda already just did) here.