America’s iconic River of Grass is celebrating a major anniversary. Exactly 75 years ago today, on December 6, 1947, this extraordinary ecosystem – found nowhere else in the world – was formally dedicated as Everglades National Park.
Did you know the South Florida Water Management District, together with our federal, state and local partners, continues to accelerate restoration projects that protect the Everglades and ensure this ecosystem can be enjoyed for future generations?
Restoring America’s Everglades is the most ambitious restoration project in the world. With historic support from Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the District is making significant progress to advance key projects that are improving the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of water and supporting the ecological health of this national treasure.
Over 50 Everglades restoration projects have been completed, broken ground or hit a major milestone since January of 2019. With the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, some of restoration successes include:
- Expediting the EAA Reservoir Project!
- Completed an underground seepage wall in the 8.5 Square Mile Area, which keeps water in Everglades National Park and supports ongoing restoration efforts to move water south through the Everglades and into Florida Bay.
- Completed the C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area, the largest Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan project completed to date.
- Advancing the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir.
- Completed the Kissimmee River Restoration Project.
- Began construction on the Indian River Lagoon-South C-23/24 Stormwater Treatment Area (STA).
We all benefit from a healthy Everglades. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Everglades National Park, we encourage you to learn more about the comprehensive effort to protect this unique ecosystem.