Saving the Everglades.Dear Teacher, April 22 is Earth Day, a time to educate young people about the natural world and the ways in which they can help preserve it. Our cover story focuses on the Florida Everglades, one of the world's most complex and unusual swamps. (See pp. 8-12.) Once a 4-million-acre subtropical sub·trop·i·cal adj. Of, relating to, or being the geographic areas adjacent to the Tropics. subtropical Adjective of the region lying between the tropics and temperate lands wetland, the Everglades are only one third their original size. Over the past century, marshes have been drained and water diverted di·vert v. di·vert·ed, di·vert·ing, di·verts v.tr. 1. To turn aside from a course or direction: Traffic was diverted around the scene of the accident. 2. to make way for farms and a massive influx of settlers. All of this has had dire consequences for local plants and wildlife. Today, crocodiles, sea turtles sea turtle, name for several species of large marine turtles found in tropical and subtropical oceans. These turtles are modified for life in the ocean by having flipperlike forelimbs without toes and lightweight shells. , wading birds, and many other animals in the Everglades are endangered en·dan·ger tr.v. en·dan·gered, en·dan·ger·ing, en·dan·gers 1. To expose to harm or danger; imperil. 2. To threaten with extinction. . What can be done? Recognizing the significance of this unique ecosystem, environmentalists, politicians, and concerned citizens have joined to help restore it. State and federal government officials have appropriated $8 billion for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan The Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project, which was first authorized by Congress in 1948, is a multi-purpose project that provides flood control, water supply for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses, prevention of saltwater intrusion, water supply for Everglades National , which involves dozens of projects and, will take decades to complete. You and your students can learn more about the effort--and how to become involved--at evergladesplan.org. Suzanne McCabe Editor smccabe@scholastic.com |
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