Restoring & protecting the greater Everglades ecosystem

 

 

Keely Weyker, director of engagement and outreach in the Everglades Foundation said to Egypt Today that the Everglades Restoration Project, or the comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan started in 2000 by former American President Bill Clinton administration.

 

 

 

“ The project entails 68 separate Everglades restoration projects across the South Florida ecosystem and in the past few years we've seen substantial funding increase that have pushed restoration across the line and put us to where we are right now” Weyker said.

 

 

 

On what is the biggest threat facing the Everglades now Weyker admitted that it is hard to pinpoint what is the biggest threat to the Everglades right now. 

 

 

 

“I would say a lot of it is development. We're seeing a lot of pushes to build on the Everglades, but I'd also say water quality too is considered a threat. We've seen different kinds of pollution that have been affecting the Everglades and that could eventually harm the ecosystems. Also Runoff discharges could affect the water quality” Weyker added.

 

 

 

 

 

Weyker explained that the way the Everglades works starts north of Orlando, Florida, and it goes through the Everglades. 

 

 

 

 

 

“This helps in pushing water not only into the aquifer, but it's pushing water out to tide down in Florida Bay, in the Florida Keys. So it pushes the salt water out and creates kind of protection there. Additionally, these wetlands are sea grasses. Our mangroves are so important to carbon sequestration, so they're acting to sequester carbon out of the air and the environment.”

 

 

 

Weyker explained that the Everglades is one of a kind place for plants, animals and for biodiversity as well.

 

 

 

“ The Everglades supply 9 million Floridians with their clean and fresh water, in addition to the countless number of tourists who visit the Everglades. We have a fishing industry here in the Everglades, also we have a touristic economy that thrives off of this area. So it's important to keep our clean drinking water available and ready for all Floridians and the people that come to visit  the Everglades.”

 

 

 

Weyker added that climate change is affecting Florida pertaining to sea level rise. ”So climate change is affecting South Florida through sea level rise. We're also seeing increased level of hurricanes that are hitting south Florida specifically and Florida in general. Climate change is affecting the strength of the storms as well.”

 

 

 

Weyker admitted that one of the major environmental problems in the Everglades is the water quality and quantity.

 

 

 

“So when we're not getting enough water this cause what we call blue-green algae blooms that are toxic the matter that can cause health problems for people, animals, harm plants and fish life. “

 

 

 

Weyker said that the restoration of the Everglades is considered the largest ecosystem restoration project in the world and this will inspire others to do the same, showing the world that we can restore areas. 

 

 

 

“This is a beacon of hope for restoration in other places of the world where we can take a large ecosystem, restore it and bring life back to many areas around the world.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wyker added that the Everglades foundation has organized high school ambassadors program. “So we're bringing high schoolers together to talk about how they can learn about the Everglades and get the needed information. Last year they made a magazine that featured various youth environmental leaders throughout the state. They have different projects where they're educating individuals on the Everglades, what's going on, and it gets them the ability to not only talk about the Everglades, but also empowering and inspiring others to protect the Everglades.”