The Ecological Society of America is a community of 9,000 scientists, researchers, decision makers, policy managers, and educators who are dedicated to understanding life on earth. It also hosts huge numbers of smaller migratory birds. It simply makes good business sense to do so. That’s why protecting what remains of the Everglades is more important than ever. Healthy Everglades's ecosystems will make South Florida more resilient to adverse effects of sea level rise such as salt water intrusion into our drinking water aquifer. Beyond concern for the wildlife populations and natural environment of the Everglades, there are a few reasons why conservation and restoration of the Everglades are of paramount importance. First, the Everglades currently serve as a buffer against hurricanes for those living in South Florida. Why should we care about the Everglades? The Everglades is internationally known for its extraordinary wildlife. In a statement released by the Sierra Club’s Everglades Restoration Organizing Representative, Diana Umpierre said, “we hope today’s announcement will be the beginning of meaningful action to acquire all the lands needed to restore and protect the Everglades. Everglades restoration is our mission. We cannot engineer a better solution, even if we could pay for it. When the COVID-19 crisis passes, clean water will be the key to our state’s economic resurgence. National parks provide a unique opportunity for Americans and visitors alike to experience vast expanses of the great outdoors. Work alongside TNC staff, partners and other volunteers to care for nature, and discover unique events, tours and activities across the country. More than 360 bird species can be found in Everglades National Park alone. The Tamiami Trail cuts straight through the heart of the Everglades. De-Compartmentalizing the Everglades In order to save the Everglades we must “decompartmentalize” the system. Explore the Places We Protect; Connect With Nature. To push back at the invading sea, we must hurry to get more freshwater flowing to the Everglades. Some of these reasons are based on my own experience living within the ecosystem itself, while other tidbits I collected from park rangers, sanctuaries, and volunteers when I was in college. We should not be investing in risky technologies like Aquifer Storage and Recovery that inject polluted water into our aquifers, and we certainly cannot afford another “lost summer” of toxic algae blooms. The north side of the trail is drowning from too much water while the south side of the Trail; Everglades National Park & Florida Bay are impacted by lack of water. Protect our environment and our economy, restore the Everglades. The Everglades is known for its many wading birds, such as white and glossy ibises, roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons, and wood storks. 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