Everglades 2022 python

Largest Burmese python found in the Everglades despite efforts for its removal

Everglades 2022 billion

Biden administration announces $1.1 billion for Everglades restoration

Everglades 2021 treeislands

The Everglades tree islands are dying due to flooding

Everglades 2019 decline

Decline of animals

Everglades 2019 existential

Everglades teetering at the edge of existential crisis

Everglades 2018 irma

Hurricane Irma turns mangroves into "tree graveyard"

Everglades 2018 mangroveretreat

Mangroves in retreat inland

Everglades 2016 carbon

Everglades mangroves absorb billions of dollars in carbon emissions

Everglades 2015 seagrass

Drought causes mass seagrass die-off

Everglades 2014 alligators

Everglades alligators show signs of trouble due to water quantity

Everglades 2014 c111

C-111 Spreader Canal Western Component

Everglades 2014 halfsize

Everglades less than half its original size

Everglades 2014 grouper

Atlantic goliath grouper rebounds

Everglades 2013 seaturtles

Green sea turtles double in numbers

Everglades 2012 python

Invasive Burmese pythons consume endangered species in the Everglades

Everglades 2012 modren

Modern civilization meets wild in the Everglades

Everglades 2000 CERP

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)

Everglades 1994 forever

The Florida Everglades Forever Act passed

Everglades 1994 crossroads

Everglades at a crossroads

Everglades 1992 andrew

Hurricane Andrew

Everglades 1991 grouper

Grouper listed as Endangered Species List candidate

Everglades 1986 algae

Explosion of algae in Lake Okeechobee considered an environmental disaster

Everglades 1980 soil

Mercury poisoning kills Everglades panther

Everglades 1979 bigsugar

“Big Sugar” sued

Everglades 1976 internationabiosphere

International Biosphere Reserve

Everglades 1974 bigcypress

Big Cypress National Preserve

Everglades 1973 endangered

Endangered Species Act

Everglades 1971 c38

C-38 Canal

Everglades 1970 stopped

Everglades Jetport stopped

Everglades 1970 birds

Shrinking populations of wading birds

Everglades 1968 opposition

Everglades Jetport opposition

Everglades 1967 proposed

Everglades Jetport proposed

Everglades 1967 americanalligator

American alligator listed as endangered

Everglades 1961 sugarplantations

Sugar plantations

Everglades 1956 deerandalligator

"deer and the alligator each day go farther away"

Everglades 1961 artmarshall

100-mile Levee Constructed

Everglades 1967 loxahatchee

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Everglades 1948 floodcontrol

Beginning of the flood control era

Everglades 1947 thisistheevergladesjpg

"This is the Everglades"

Everglades 1947 nationalpkar

Everglades National Park established

Everglades 1939 Hooverdike

Hoover Dike completed

hist-2838-photo-Gifford Pinchot 

Full of vivid life

Everglades 1928 tamiami

Tamiami trail completed

hist-2837-photo-Zora Neale Hurston 

Devastating hurricanes

hist-2835-photo-Palm Beach Post

South Florida "grossly exaggerated"

hist-2834-photo-Charles Forman

Cycle of flood and drought

hist-2833-photo-A.W. Dimock

Crossing the Everglades is a "picnic"

hist-2832-photo-Charles Torrey Simpson

Wildlife abundant

hist-2815-photo-Archie P. Williams

Crystal clear water and hundreds of trout

Everglades 1882 12millionacres

Draining of the Everglades begins

Everglades 1871 nature

Everglades marvelous nature

Everglades 1950 swamplandact

Swamp Land Act passed

Everglades 1848 vermin

Everglades "suitable only for the haunt of noxious vermin, or the resort of pestilent reptiles"

Everglades 1848 firstproposal

First proposal to drain Everglades

Everglades 1845 drainswamp

"Drain the swamp!"

hist-2811-photo-Expedition Leader, U.S. Naval Force

Spoils from Lake Okeechobee

hist-2806-photo-Col. W.S. Harney

Exploring the Everglades

Everglades 1832 audubon

Great flocks of birds in the Everglades

hist-2752-photo-Charles Vignoles

The "Never Glade"

Everglades 1500 grassywater

Two Hunters, a Seminole Legend

hist-2750-photo-Hernando d’Escalante Fontaneda

Everglades wildlife

Everglades 450-1650 shellmound

Calusa peoples use shells to build complex structures

Everglades 3000BCE formation

Formation of the Everglades

Everglades 8000BCE ancestors

Ancestors of the Seminole and Miccosukee in the Everglades

Everglades 1823 neverglade

Everglades

Fragmentation and Development

50% of the original wetlands have been developed into agricultural and urban land. The coinciding decrease in wildlife land has caused a cascade of declining species levels. Years of settlement and urbanization have altered wetlands areas, estuaries, and bays. 

Agricultural Runoff

Imbalances of phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural runoff threaten a fragile freshwater system. Increased phosphorus and nitrogen feed algal blooms that block sunlight from reaching seagrasses, affecting a chain of species interactions. Waste incineration and fossil fuel consumption (particularly coal) produce high mercury levels in fish and animals. 

Flood Control

Water-diversion and flood control schemes route freshwater away from endangered plants and animals intensifying habitat loss. Pressure from an increasing population and changing land use needs reduce the usable water in the natural system.

Climate Change

Sea levels have risen about 9 inches over the past century, causing salt water intrusion that puts wildlife at risk and reduces the available population area. An increase in severe weather events has damaged land and made conservation efforts even more difficult.

Invasive Species

Exotic plants and animals, introduced by settlers or arriving through migration, out compete native species and alter the landscape. The Burmese python, lionfish, Brazilian peppertree, Australian pine, lather leaf, and Melaleuca pose major threats. 

Most Pressing Issues

Friends of the Everglades

Friends of the Everglades works to compel government agencies to comply with laws, encourage politicians to recognize the consequences of their actions & spread awareness of the importance of the Everglades to the South Florida ecosystem.

Environment Florida

Environment Florida is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization that raises awareness of environmental issues & promotes sensible solutions.

Audubon Society of the Everglades

The Audubon Society of the Everglades inspires people to conserve wildlife, especially birds, and the environment that supports them.

Everglades Coalition

The Everglades Coalition is an alliance of more than 50 local, state & national conservation & environmental organizations dedicated to full restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem.

Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy launched a bold 10-Year plan for the Everglades, where at its core is an emphasis on connecting protected lands and waters for far-ranging species like the Florida panther and wood storks.


How You Can Help

Florida