Why
YOU Should Care
The Everglades ecosystem is a major contributor
to Florida yet agricultural pollution kills 2-9 acres a day and could
lead to the loss of a $20 billion tourism industry, more than 365,000
jobs, and the only source of safe clean drinking water for South
Florida.
Economic Contributions
- Attracts millions of visitors each year including
commercial and recreational fishermen, school groups and other
park visitors.
- Generated more
than $150 million in sales benefits (Everglades National Park
Annual Report, FY 2000).
- Provided $9.85 million in increased tax
revenues (FY 2000).
- Created more than 25,000 new jobs in Collier
County.
- Created more than 6,000 new jobs for South
Florida (FY 2000).
- Provides an
estuarine complex in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys supporting
the state’s
sport and commercial fishing industry.
- Fifth largest commercial
fishery in the United States.
Environmental Contributions
- Encompasses an ecosystem spanning four million
acres in South Florida.
- Supports the largest strand of protected
sawgrass prairie on the continent.
- Within its boundaries
are four national parks, twelve national wildlife refuges, the
first ever preserve, two national marine sanctuaries, ten state
aquatic preserves, twenty state parks, and the only coral reef
in the continental US.
- Serves as a crucial water recharge area
for South Florida via the Biscayne Bay aquifer. Biscayne Bay
aquifer is the principal water source for more than 3 million people
and is one of the most productive aquifers in the world.
- Provides
a sanctuary to 68 threatened and endangered species.
- Is home
to millions of migratory birds.
Educational Contributions
- Introduces visitors to unique plant and
animal life.
- Promotes international interest. (One visitor
study shows that 14 percent of tourists in 2002 were international
travelers from England, Canada, Germany, and 15 other countries
(Everglades National Park Visitor Services Report 131).
- Provides
a variety of educational programs such as on-site day trips.
Nearly 8,000 students from South Florida counties made such trips.
More than 2,500 residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Collier counties
participated in 32 such programs providing three-day camping
trips into the park. (FY 2000).
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