Florida's economy and quality of life depends on a healthy environment. Healthy ecosystems provide a wealth of benefits. The most obvious: native plants and wildlife are preserved and flourish. At the same time, regional water quality, water supply and flood control are also enhanced, because natural ecosystems are nature's storage and cleansing system. These improvements benefit residents and businesses such as tourism, recreation and agriculture -- and add immeasurably to our quality of life.
Within the greater Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem are a wide variety of ecosystem restoration projects and programs. Many involve partnerships with a broad cross-section of other state, local and federal partners.
Reviving the River of Grass
The South Florida Water Management District negotiated an agreement to acquire more than 180,000 acres of agricultural land in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The vast tracts would be used to reestablish a part of the historic connection between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades to revive, restore and preserve one of America's greatest natural treasures. more >
Restoring the Kissimmee River
The Kissimmee River and its floodplain, along with the Upper Chain of Lakes, forms the headwaters of the greater Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades (KOE) ecosystem. Historically, the river meandered approximately 103 miles from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee, through a one to two mile wide floodplain. more >
Protecting and Restoring Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee is the "liquid heart" of South Florida, located in south-central Florida. The massive lake is a 730 square mile, relatively shallow lake with an average depth of 9 feet, and is the second-largest freshwater lake within the continental United States. Lake Okeechobee's drainage basin covers more than 4,600 square miles. more >
Restoring America's Everglades
Federal legislation, beginning in 2000, created the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Popularly known as "The Journey to Restore America's Everglades," this partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District and many other federal, state, local and tribal partners is working in concert with the state legislation. more >
Expedited Restoration Projects
The Expedited Projects reaffirm the commitment of the federal/state/local partnership to revitalize the Everglades ecosystem by stepping up the pace on select restoration projects, with project construction financed with "Certificates of Participation" revenue bonding. more >
Northern Everglades and Estuary Protection
Underscoring the state's commitment to Greater Everglades Ecosystem restoration, the Florida Legislature in 2007 expanded the Lake Okeechobee Protection Act to strengthen protection for the Northern Everglades by restoring and preserving the Lake Okeechobee watershed and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. more >
Estuaries, Bays and Rivers
In coastal areas, waters from several sources mix to become the essence of beautiful and unique water bodies, brimming with biological diversity. Maintaining this diversity is a key part of maintaining the health of the earth's ecological systems and its future resources. more >
Preserving Natural Lands
The District is acquiring and preserving hundreds of thousands of acres of land to conserve habitat, restore ecosystems, protect water resources and provide the public with access to natural lands for recreation. more >
Agency Overview
Ecosystem Restoration
Northern Everglades
