The Everglades Foundation

Look how far we’ve come… but it’s not over yet

An airboat motoring through the everglades

IT’S NOW OR NEVERGLADES!

The Everglades and the Florida coastal system, one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems, are on the verge of extinction. Home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and more than 70 threatened and endangered species, it’s the source of water for millions and gives life to Florida Bay and the Florida Keys.

THE PROBLEM:

Each and every day 1.5 billion gallons of polluted water is released into two of Florida’s most popular sport fishing, boating, and tourism areas


Historic water flow has been altered, discharging billions of gallons of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries, interfering with the balance of fresh and saltwater. This imbalance has led to massive blue-green algae blooms, which suffocate seagrass and are toxic to wildlife, pets, and people. Meanwhile, the redirection of freshwater has left South Florida to suffer drought conditions and a massive seagrass die-off.

A flock of birds flying in a gray-blue sky

THE SOLUTION:

The construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee


The massive reservoir will capture and store fresh rainwater that will be channeled south and redistributed to the Everglades during the dry months. Increased storage, treatment, and transportation of water south of Lake Okeechobee in the Everglades Agricultural Area is essential to the following


  • Protecting the drinking water for eight million Floridians and tourists.
  • Stopping the damaging discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and estuaries.
  • Restoring the flow of clean, fresh water to the Everglades, Florida Bay, and the Florida Keys.

BUT THERE’S STILL WORK TO DO!

WE MUST NOW ENGAGE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO ENSURE THE PROPOSED RESERVOIR IS BUILT

An image from the back of a boat speeding through everglades

Together, we protect what we love

Join Orvis in the fight to save the Everglades. Visit The Everglades Foundation to make your donation. Orvis will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $30,000, for a goal of $60,000 to preserve America’s River of Grass.

Or send your check to:

The Everglades Foundation

C/o Orvis, 178 Conservation Way

Sunderland, VT 06250

image of Perk Perkins

Hear from Perk Perkins, Former Orvis CEO & Environmental Champion on this vital issue

Read the Letter
The Everglades Foundation logo

The Everglades Foundation

The Everglades Foundation works to protect and restore America’s Everglades through science, advocacy & education.

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