World Wetlands Day is tomorrow, February 2!
Did you know the largest wetlands restoration efforts in the world are right here in South Florida? The South Florida Water Management District – working with our local, state and federal partners – restores, revitalizes and protects America's Everglades, the world's most iconic wetland. A number of initiatives and construction projects are underway to benefit the Everglades, and significant progress has been made in many areas.
- Completion of the C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area, which created 6,300 acres of new wetlands.
- Completion and monumental achievement of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project, which restores 20,000 acres of wetlands.
- Completion of the restoration of 6,700 acres of wetlands at Allapattah Flats, which helps improve water quality in the St. Lucie Estuary.
- Activation of the Faka Union Pump Station, which works to rehydrate 55,000 acres of drained wetlands in the Picayune Strand State Forest.
- Working to improve the ecology of Biscayne Bay by rehydrating more than 6,680 acres of coastal wetlands as part of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlandsproject.
- Making plans to restore 4,800 acres of wetlands north of Lake Okeechobee as part of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project.
- Acquisition of 20,000 acres of critical Everglades wetlands in Water Conservation Area 3 within the Everglades Protection Area to save these lands from oil drilling.
Wetlands produce numerous benefits essential for people and the environment. Wetlands maintain water supply and quality, provide flood control, help regulate the climate, provide places for recreation, and provide habitat for numerous species.
The State of Florida continues to make major strides and significant investments in restoring the Everglades and protecting our natural resources.