On Thursday, the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will decide whether to extend its current contract to purchase almost 73,000 acres of land from U.S. Sugar Corp.  The land will provide additional water storage and water quality treatment that is essential to complete ongoing Everglades restoration plans, and reduce harmful discharges of water to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.  Proceedings currently before the Florida Supreme Court will determine the SFWMD's authority to issue Certificate of Participation bonds to fund the purchase.

Audubon is urging the SFWMD Governing Board to vote in favor of extending the contract. A vote to extend the contract, keeps the deal alive until the Court decides whether bonds can be used to fund the purchase.  Audubon's goal is to ensure this land is purchased and incorporated into restoration of the Everglades. Proper use of this land and water will result in reemergence of the abundance of native birds and other wildlife.

Show Your Support for the River of Grass

When: Thursday, March 11th at 10:00 AM

Where: Florida Seminole Veterans Building, Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation

800 E. Harney Pond Road, Okeechobee, Florida 34974

What: South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Meeting

For more information on the benefits of the monumental River of Grass acquisition, view Audubon of Florida's fact sheet "River of Grass Land Acquisition: Securing Florida's Future for People and Nature."