Everglades National Park

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Everglades National Park
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Map of Everglades National Park
IUCN category	II
Location	[[Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties, Florida, United States]]
Nearest city	[[Homestead]]
Area
Established	December 6, 1947
Visitors
Governing body	[[National Park Service]]
Website	[Everglades National Park Everglades National Park]
This protected area related article is a stub.

Everglades National Park is a United States National Park that protects the southern 20 percent of the original Everglades in Florida. The park is the largest tropical wilderness of any kind in the U.S., and it is visited on average by one million people each year. Everglades is the third-largest national park in the contiguous United States after Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It has been designated a World Heritage Site, a Wetland of International Importance, and an International Biosphere Reserve.

History

The area now known as Everglades National Park has been inhabited for thousands of years by various Native American tribes, including the Calusa and Tequesta. The park was established on December 6, 1947, to protect the rapidly vanishing Everglades ecosystem. Marjory Stoneman Douglas, an environmentalist and author, played a significant role in the park's creation with her book "The Everglades: River of Grass."

Geography

Everglades National Park covers 1,508,538 acres (6,106.6 km²) across three counties in Florida. The park is characterized by its unique wetland ecosystem, which includes sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and cypress swamps. The Florida Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands are also part of the park.

Flora and Fauna

The park is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. Notable flora includes the sawgrass, mangrove, and various species of orchids. The fauna includes the American alligator, American crocodile, Florida panther, and the West Indian manatee. The park is also a critical habitat for numerous bird species, including the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, and various species of herons and egrets.

Climate

The Everglades has a tropical monsoon climate, with a distinct wet season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. The park is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can significantly impact the ecosystem.

Conservation

Everglades National Park faces numerous environmental challenges, including water pollution, invasive species, and the effects of climate change. Efforts are ongoing to restore the natural flow of water through the Everglades, primarily through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

Visitor Activities

Visitors to Everglades National Park can engage in a variety of activities, including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching. The park offers several visitor centers, including the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and the Flamingo Visitor Center, which provide educational exhibits and information about the park.

Related Pages

• National Park Service
• List of national parks of the United States
• Florida Everglades
• Marjory Stoneman Douglas
• Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan