The South Florida Ecosystem

The South Florida Ecosystem. A century and a half of change…. , South Florida Restoration Project: , Working to save an ecosystem at risk… , At one time, water moved through the Everglades in vast, shallow flow, which led Marjory Stoneman Douglas to call the Everglades: “River of Grass.” , The South Florida Restoration Projects sets into action a multi-agency plan to restore a significant portion of the Everglades and its watershed. Many events during the past 100 years have led to the destruction of the ecological richness and diversity of South Florida ecosystem. Canals and levees, water conversation areas, exotic plants, drainage of wetlands, urban development and the agricultural industry have forever altered the natural balance between water and land, placing the native vegetation and wildlife of the ecosystem at risk., Redfish Point 1944… , Redfish Point 1999…, Cooperative Conversation across Counties: , The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services is working with other states and federal agencies to save the South Florida ecosystem. The Fish and Wildlife Service administers more than a dozen national wildlife refuges in South Florida. Funding from the Restoration Project is used in a variety of ways, including : , . Purchasing environmentally sensitive land , . Protection of threatened and endangered species , . Migratory bird management , . Habitat conservation , . Control of exotic species , . Law enforcement personnel , . Public awareness and environmental education, As a member of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to work on important Everglades restoration activities.