You have probably noticed the cycle of extreme droughts and flooding experienced across the South Florida region over the past few years. This frustrating pattern perfectly illustrates the critical need to restore natural drainage patterns throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.
At the same time, water that should be going into the Everglades is still too dirty – carrying farm and urban chemicals that alter life forms. While state and federal agencies are committed to finding solutions, budget cuts have made action difficult and eliminated much of the science work needed to make sure water supply and water quality projects achieve the ecological results necessary to restore our River of Grass.
- Fund vital scientific monitoring and analysis,
- Support advocacy work to assure restoration projects will benefit the natural environment,
- Help Wood Storks and other iconic species return throughout the Greater Everglades, and
- Inform decision-makers and the public on why water must be cleaned up before it is released into the Everglades.
Our Everglades scientists in the field will be looking for results now that many of our most vital, long-term Greater Everglades goals are finally nearing completion: including a one-mile bridge that will lift the Tamiami Trail to improve water flows into Everglades National Park and the C-111 canal project that will increase freshwater flows into Florida Bay.
A new plan to clean polluted water in the Everglades has recently been agreed upon by the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and includes many Audubon-supported projects.
Thanks to supporters like you, progress is being made. But we can't stop here. The critical time is now to turn plans into results.
You can help us see that the next wave of restoration work is implemented with the best interests of the Greater Everglades and Florida's iconic wildlife in mind.
Together, we are making a difference in the future of this remarkable ecosystem.
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