Restoring the Everglades Ecosystem

The Everglades is a delicate ecosystem known throughout the world for its scenic sunrises, mysterious wetlands and unique wildlife. It extends beyond the national park and beyond our imaginations –winding south from Orlando through the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, the Kissimmee River, engulfing Lake Okeechobee and on to the calm waters of the Florida Bay.

Florida is stepping up the pace of restoration. No other government in the world has invested as much time or money in improving the quality of one single waterbody or natural system. Guided by sound science and the dedication of many, restoring the Everglades will improve the quality of life for the seven million residents of South Florida, provide improved flood control for the region, supply the essential amount of water for restoration, all while preserving America's Everglades. This means saving more than 60 threatened and endangered species and protecting the natural plant life for future generations.
 

Florida's Accomplishments To Date

Commitment to restoration

• Florida has invested $2.4 billion to the $13.5 billion state-federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) since the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.
• More than 60 percent - or more than 230,000 acres - of lands needed to implement CERP are in state ownership.

Improving Water Quality

• Florida has invested an additional $1.8  billion to improving water quality in the Everglades.
• Florida's 45,000 acres of Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) - man-made wetlands that naturally filter phosphorus pollution from water before it enters the Everglades - combined with improved farming practices have prevented more than 3,500 metric tons of phosphorous from entering the Everglades.