Less than a week ago, Audubon of Florida sent out an email call to action for Floridians to add their name to our petition urging an immediate halt to the South Florida Water Management District's (SFWMD) decision to install and operate forward pumps in Lake Okeechobee, further decreasing water levels. These pumps are currently draining water out of the lake - a delicate and important ecosystem that needs water in the lake to remain healthy.

Audubon broke the bad news that six of the remaining nine endangered Everglade Snail Kite nests on Lake Okeechobee had failed, apparently from lack of food and parental abandonment related to low water levels. As the water drops, the harm is not over. The deteriorating habitat conditions threaten the survival of newly fledged young and adults. Read our own Dr. Paul Gray's recent report on the drought here.

Today, Audubon of Florida's Jane Graham will be testifying at the SFWMD Governing Board meeting, urging them to cease operation of these forward pumps. Only around 700 individual Everglade Snail Kites remain in the wild - any further abnormal lowering of Lake Okeechobee's water could devastate the region's kite population for years to come.

Thanks to your inspiring support, we will be able to hand deliver over 1,100 names to the Governing Board members urging them to stop these pumps from harming the delicate lake ecosystem the Endangered Everglade Snail Kite relies on to survive.

No matter the result, Audubon supporters have made a difference for this imperiled bird. Thanks to you, thousands more people now understand the implications of irrational draining of Lake Okeechobee. And we will need your help again soon. Please keep encouraging your friends and family to sign our petition and be sure to bookmark this website to learn what the next step is in our campaign to save this iconic Florida bird, the incredible Everglade Snail Kite!