The River of Grass, one of Florida’s most vital ecosystems, has been awaiting its unfulfilled promise of restoration for decades. Despite the unanimous bipartisan support for rehabilitation, water mismanagement, pollution, and corporate influence continue to threaten the Everglades. “This is the moment to act,” Allie Hartmann, Friends of the Everglades Communications Director, emphasized. “We have the science and the funding, but if we don’t act now, we’re going to lose our ability to.”
The reduced water quality and quantity in the Everglades are primarily due to altered water flow from human development, agriculture, and urban expansion. The predominant action being taken to correct water flow is the EAA (Everglades Agricultural Area) Reservoir, a controversial water storage project that is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Although it proposes a meaningful solution, some experts, including Friends of the Everglades, argue that the EAA Reservoir is not enough to solve the issue. Hartmann mentioned the controversy, “The EAA Reservoir has been sold to the public as the end-all-be-all that’s going to fix everything, and we solidly remain in the camp that it’s not enough to fix things as is.” While it provides some storage, it cannot hold or clean enough water to fully prevent harmful discharges. Hartmann stresses that the Friends of the Everglades do not wish to derail the progress of the EAA reservoir, but rather enforce the need to acquire additional land to ensure its effectiveness.
Dr. Tom Van Lent is a senior scientist who advises Friends of the Everglades’ policy team by identifying the most efficient land necessary to restore clean water flow to the Everglades.
Photos Courtesy of Friends of the Everglades
The Everglades serve as more than the beautiful distinguishing feature of Florida’s wild landscapes; they provide habitat for endemic species, drinking water for millions of Floridians, and economic value through ecosystem services and recreational activities.
The Friends of the Everglades offer an alternative initiative to restore clean water flow and protect this unique habitat through their latest campaign, Rescue the River of Grass. Dr. Tom Van Lent, senior scientist with the Friends of the Everglades, has mapped out an ideal 100,000-acre restoration area based on thorough research. The estimated cost for this land acquisition falls between $500 million and $1 billion, a figure that could be covered through Florida’s Amendment One- a 2014 constitutional amendment designed to provide funding for land conservation through existing excise tax revenue.
Now, it’s easier than ever to save this vital habitat by signing the Friends of the Everglades’ Rescue petition at https://www.everglades.org/rescue/. “By signing the petition, you are helping us influence the Florida legislator to prioritize buying the land south of Lake Okeechobee to be used for storage and treatment,” explained Hartmann.
Despite the availability of funding, the window to act is closing. There is increasing pressure to develop that same land for industrial projects like the proposed 8,000-acre Southland Rock Mine. If the land is repurposed for mining instead of conservation, the opportunity to restore the Everglades will be lost for generations.
The Role of Big Sugar
One of the biggest obstacles to Everglades restoration is the stranglehold that the sugar industry has on Florida’s water and land policies. Much of the land needed for restoration is currently owned by U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals, which have long resisted efforts to transition their lands into reservoirs and treatment marshes.
“Big Sugar has immense political influence, and acquiring the land necessary for restoration requires willing sellers,” Hartmann explained. “While we know which areas make the most sense for water storage and treatment, these lands remain in private hands.” The Rescue petition aims to persuade legislators to pressure Big Sugar to prioritize conservation over profit.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Action
Challenges are nothing new to the Friends of the Everglades. The tiny but mighty team, composed of eight full-time employees and a dedicated volunteer staff, prides themselves on their nimble agility and strategic victories. Their track record of mobilizing public support to halt environmentally damaging projects is strong and plenty, including the recent triumph of suspending the widely publicized plan to develop pickleball courts on Florida’s state parks. The organization, along with other grassroots groups, was able to rally public opposition and halt the proposal in just one week.
The Everglades serve as more than the beautiful distinguishing feature of Florida’s wild landscapes; they provide habitat for endemic species, drinking water for millions of Floridians, and economic value through ecosystem services and recreational activities.
Hartmann reflected on the unifying victory, “Many environmental organizations have national structures and a chain they must pass things up through. If they don’t get permission, they can’t react as quickly as small grassroots organizations like ours do. Because of our freedom, we, and some key allies, were able to move, make decisions, get information to the public, and ultimately win the battle within a week.”
A Grassroots Movement for Change
The Friends of the Everglades hope to be an organization to turn to in the currently overwhelming political climate. “We aim to consistently be a source of trusted information and give people options to take action right now,” said Hartmann. “It’s important to give people a voice and something to stand for in a time where they might feel insignificant in the grand scheme of environmental politics.” Through providing a connection to legislators and the community on their platform, everyone has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas, renowned environmentalist and founder of the Friends of the Everglades, would be proud of the team who follow her footsteps as fearless advocates for environmental protection. “The Everglades is a test. If we pass it, we may get to keep the planet,” Douglass once declared.
The areas in green are the most likely candidates for acquisition, putting the market value at about ~$500 million to $1 billion for ~100,000 acres.
The Friends of the Everglades tirelessly rise to her challenge, trailblazing powerful solutions like their Rescue the River of Grass initiative. “This campaign will take three to five years to build momentum,” Hartmann admitted, “But if everything goes as planned, we know that this could prevent harmful discharges to northern estuaries and restore clean water to the Everglades.”
“Everyone in Florida is impacted by the Everglades no matter where they live. They’re a vital source of drinking water for millions of Floridians, provide critical habitats for endangered species, and maintain Florida’s tourism and fishing industries,” stated Hartmann. The River of Grass has awaited restoration long enough. The funding is available, the science is clear, and the opportunity to act is slipping away. By signing the Rescue petition and supporting the Friends of the Everglades, individuals can be part of a historic movement to protect Florida’s water, wildlife, and way of life.
To learn more about Friends of the Everglades visit https://www.everglades.org/ or email info@everglades.org.