Everglades Facts

Everglades facts are unusual to the point of belonging to another world.  Another of the unbelievable Everglades facts is that humans continue to threaten this unique ecosystem.  Everglades Betrayal - The Issue that Defeated Al Gore is a story of one proposed threat - developing an airport – that was blocked by the efforts of dedicated and tireless environmentalists.  It took many years, and, thanks to them, Everglades facts, such as the following, continue to be told:

  • The pink coloration of the Roseate Spoonbill comes from a red pigment, related to Vitamin A, found in some crustaceans that they eat.
  • Many of the orchids found within the Everglades ecosystem are "epiphytic," growing on host trees that are used for support. This adaptation allows a variety of plants to grow in an otherwise harsh environment.
  • The Everglades ecosystem provides a home to over 350 species of birds.
  • In the 1800s John James Audubon noted that the flocks of numerous birds above often darkened the sky. Since the early 20th century, around 93% of the wading bird population has vanished.
  • Everglades National Park is home to over 1,000 species of plants. However, over 20% of the plants here are non-native.
  • The Everglades ecosystem is not the proverbial swamp many people consider it to be. It is technically a river, flowing southwest at the slow rate of about a quarter mile per day.
  • A pair of endangered wood storks needs about 440 pounds of fish during a breeding season to feed themselves and their young. Everglades National Park serves as an important nursery ground for raising their chicks.
  • Around 15 federally threatened and endangered species reside within the boundaries of Everglades National Park. Sea turtles, crocodiles, and West Indian Manatees (pictured left) are but a few of these.
  • Soft-shell turtles may not have the protective hard covering seen on other turtles, but they make up for that with relatively faster speeds in the water. Also, their long noses are well adapted for snorkeling.

Read Everglades Betrayal and learn how resource protection tools worked together to prevent a reckless development proposal from moving forward.  Thankfully, a disturbing outcome was not added to the numerous Everglades facts currently available. 

The Everglades Betrayal – The Issue that Defeated Al Gore is now available to you online.