Weekly Online Lesson Online Lesson Archives Grade Level: 5-10 Subject: Geography

Restoring the Everglades

On July 1, 1999, Congress was presented with an ambitious $7.8 billion plan to restore the Everglades of southern Florida—home to 1,500 varieties of plants and wildlife, at least 68 of which are threatened or endangered species. The fragile ecosystem of the Everglades was disrupted 50 years ago when a series of canals and levies artificially channeled water away from the system and diverted for agricultural and municipal use. The 20-year restoration plan is aimed at restoring the natural flow of water to the Everglades and then collecting the water that now rushes into the ocean, which benefits nobody.

Everyone agrees with the importance of the project, which Gore calls "the most critical step yet to restore the Everglades, one of America's true natural treasures." The tough part will be for Congress to find the necessary funding. According to the current plan, half will be paid by the state of Florida, while the other half will be paid by the federal government.

In this lesson you will take a journey to Everglades National Park. You may or may not agree on need for federal involvement in the restoration project (the debate is far from over), but you can see for yourself what makes the Everglades such a unique and exciting place.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is the largest remaining sub-tropical wilderness in the continental United States and has extensive fresh and saltwater areas, open Everglades prairies, and mangrove forests. Abundant wildlife includes rare and colorful birds, and this is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. Have a look for yourself by visiting the Everglades National Park site, which is maintained by the National Park Service.

Begin by reading the overview entitled "Can the Everglades Survive?" As you read, you will come across many links in the text. For now, read all the way through the text. Then go back through and follow any hyperlinks that interest you.

Next, click on The Everglades Ecosystem link in the left navigation bar. On this page you can read more about the ecosystem by linking to and reading the topics listed. Start with Everglades 101: An Introduction to the Ecosystem, where you can learn more about the "River of Grass" and learn why the natural flow of water is so critical. Everglades Habitats shows you a chart of the eight different landscapes in the park and explains how elevation is a determining factor in the makeup of the land. How the land got to be that way is another story. Click the Geology link to learn how the ice age had a big impact on the the land, which has alternately been covered by water and raised high above current sea levels.

Now visit Animal Profiles to learn about the diverse species of insects and wildlife that make the Everglades their home. In addition to many specific animal profiles like the Bobcat, Alligator, and American White Pelican, there are links to general information about birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, marine life, fish, snails, insects, and spiders. And visit the Endangered Species page for an introduction to rare animal species now struggling for survival in and around the Everglades. If you're interested in even more specifics, go to the Species Checklists page, where you can access checklists of known species living in the park.

If you're into history, Everglades National Park is an area rich in history, from the ancient native tribes who lived in this region to restoration project in today's headlines. Click the History link, and then choose from the topics listed. In particular, read about Turn-of-the-Century Settlement and Development of the Everglades. These two essays will show you in historical terms how and why the Everglades became endangered in the first place. Then read about Ernest Coe, the "Father of Everglades National Park" and see learn how his efforts led to the dedication of the Everglades as a national park in 1947.

Finally, click A Park in Danger-Threats and Restoration Efforts. Here's where you can get to the real heart of the restoration effort. Begin by reading A Park in Danger, which presents an overview on the problems of water diversion, pollution, and infestation of non-native plant and animal species. Next read short treatments on each of the problems specifically: Water management, water quality, non-native species, loss of species, and explosive regional population growth.

To find additional classroom activities and teacher resources about the Florida Everglades, visit the Educational Resources page.

© Copyright 2002 Learners Online, Inc.