Chances are that if you are a long-term resident of Florida, you’ve had the opportunity to visit South Florida and explore the Everglades and some of our national parks. If you have, it’s likely that the land you walked on was previously underwater, at some point in Florida’s history. The land as you see it today wasn’t always that way; many of the decisions we made with water management in the early 1900s damaged our local environment.
When you think of a Florida grass-fed beef rancher and producer, we’d like you to consider how much they care and advocate for the protection of our land and natural water systems. Their livelihood and multi-generational ranches depend on grazing land that produces world-class beef, which contributes more than $900 million dollars annually to the Florida GDP.
While some people may believe that agricultural producers are responsible for pollution and other threats to our marshlands and natural ecosystem, we’d like to share a different prospective; they are champions in defense of protecting grasslands and marshes.
Learn how we have altered the natural environment in the State of Florida historically, the impact that had on wildlife and natural habitats, and what specific groups are doing right now to better protect our environmental resources and biodiversity for future generations of Florida residents.
The Environmental Impact of Diverting Water and Reclaiming Marsh Land in Florida
Did you know that in the year 1900, the Federal Census reported that there were only four cities in the state of Florida, and only 528,542 residents? Part of that reason was that the southern most parts of the state were submerged in marshlands.
In 1904 the elected Governor Napoleon B. Broward began an ambitious project to drain large portions of the Everglades. The new dry lands were sold for residential and agricultural development. By 1913, over 225 miles of canals had been dug, which created the Miami Canal, the North New River Canal and South New River Canal.
Fourteen years later, a series of large canals, levees and lock systems were completed from 1913 to 1927. This created a new opportunity and land boom in the 1920’s where residents, beef ranchers and agricultural growers moved in to capitalize on the fertile drained land that was once part of the Florida Everglades.
It wasn’t until after World War II that Florida saw a huge population boom. In 1940 there were 1,897,414 residents in Florida, but by 1950 there were almost 3 million residents; an increase of 46%, predominantly in the Tampa Bay and South Florida areas, but development also surged along all the coastal areas.
It wasn’t until 1947 however, that lawmakers and environmentalists became vocal about the impact of the encroachment of development on Florida wetlands. In 1947 there was a large flood where almost 90% of the state south of Orland was underwater. That demonstrated that the drainage projects in existence at the time were not sufficient to keep the water controlled and out of residential and commercial growth areas.
In 1947 the Everglades National Park was created and protected. Author Marjory Stoneman Douglas published a popular book called “The Everglades: River of Grass”. In her book, Douglas highlighted the biodiversity and ecological importance of The Everglades, and what the water routing, canals and drainage had altered and put at risk. One year later, the South Florida Water Management District was created as an Agency responsible for water quality, flood control and environmental protection projects for all counties from Orlando to the Florida Keys.
From 1962 to 1970, the Kissimmee River project was undertaken to straighten the river to reduce flooding. Unfortunately, in the process, this project also altered the flood plain, plants and wildlife that depended on the rising and falling flood waters around the river and marshlands. Ecologists reported that as much as 90% of the waterfowl had disappeared as a result, including a 70% decrease in bald eagle natural nesting territories.
Facts You May Not Know About the Florida Everglades
Land that is not used for agricultural purposes (fruit or vegetable production or cattle ranching) is quickly swallowed up by land developers in Florida, unless it is conserved or protected. The demand for new residential homes, holiday resorts and commercial construction is so great that it is making natural unoccupied land in Florida endangered. And something that could disappear entirely in as little as two decades.
Protecting the Everglades and other natural greenspaces in Florida means the continuation of amazing species of wildlife, our fish and game industry and tourism, filtering of natural water we rely on, topsoil replenishment and much more.
Everyone talks about the Amazon rain forest, but did you know that our own Everglades are just as rich in biodiversity (and important) too? Here are some fun facts you may not know about The Everglades in Florida:
1. The Everglades Are Actually A River
Because of the vast expanse of the Everglades, which seems to go on and on, it’s hard to imagine that it is actually a river; but it is! It is a network of subtropical wetlands, connecting to other lakes and rivers and originally covered more than 4,000 square miles from Lake Okeechobee to the southern most tip of Florida. Today, that size has been reduced to less than 50% due to drainage and water diversion projects.
Native Americans who first settled in the area called The Everglades ‘Pahayokee’ which meant ‘grassy waters’. Living in The Everglades are 70 endangered and threatened species, including the manatee, the alligator, sea turtles, the Florida Panther, and a vast array of bird and waterfowl species.
Today, The Everglades National Park (which was established in 1947) protects only 20% of the original marshland area. It has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve and acknowledged as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
2. Wildfires Happen Frequently in the Everglades (And They’re Beneficial)
With all the moisture and water in The Everglades, it’s hard to imagine that natural fires occur. But they do, several times annually. While the fires can be alarming, they are actually a natural process that helps clear brush and then revitalize the land by adding nutrients to the soil and water, and they are ecologically beneficial. The most recent large wildfire in The Everglades started in May 2019 and impacted over 40,000 acres of land.
3. The Everglades Provide Drinking Water for Almost 8 Million Florida Residents
Water sourced from The Everglades National Park and tributaries drains into the Biscayne Aquifer, which provides drinking water for Broward, Palm Beach County and Dade Florida residents and commercial businesses.
Without the protection and preservation of The Everglades, the aquifer would not be able to recharge, and it would run dry, and be at increased risk of contamination by saltwater. The biggest contamination threats to water quality are pollution runoff from sugarcane and some agricultural operations, and urban sprawl. The South Florida Water Management Department reported that if all pollution was stopped to Lake Okeechobee now, it would take 20 years for the water quality to be restored to normal.
When you hear reports about the agricultural influence on the environment, know that beef ranchers in Florida who choose the less profitable (but more environmentally sustainable) method of grass-fed production are ‘the good guys’.
Most of the ranchers are staunch advocates for environmental protection and the conservation of The Everglades and surrounding grasslands. Not just because they rely on rich pasture lands to raise cattle, but because they understand the intricate balance necessary to preserve land, wildlife, soil, air and water quality.