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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park Florida Everglades DEP There are no other Everglades in the world. } = BI i Marjory StonemanDouglas oe ee : Z Np Meo: hi This landscape is unlike any other—beautiful, Water is the lifeblood of the Everglades. In sum- mysterious, and wild, Herej/tropical and tem- mer thunder clouds carry the sweet smell of rain, perate species flourish side-by-side in an environ- © signaling a time of renewal. This slow-moving ment) part Caribbean, part North American. The river is dependent on the seasonal rise and fall essence of the Everglades is found in the sharp, of fresh water. It is also dependent on people. ragged edges of sawgrass blades, an alligator’s For over 100 years we dredged, dammed, and deep bellow, the high-stepping dance of wading —_ drained the landscape, controlling the ebb and birds, the waterway labyrinth of the Ten Thou- flow of this life-giving force. In doing so, we ~~ sand Islands, and the sparkling, aquamarine endangered the Everglades and the life depen- waters. of Florida Bay. dent on it. | Sunrise on the Pa-hay-okee Trail © GLENN GARDNER ical restoration projects , /are attempting to emulate the natural flow of _ clean water to revitalize altered habitats. Ever- glades is one of a few national parks in the Unit- ed States established to protect unparalleled bio- logical diversity. It is also the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance. The future of the Everglades is in our hands. Past Mistakes, Present Challenges, Future Hopes q For hundreds of years the Everglades _ Historic Water Flow kee, perhaps understood the Ever- Current Water Flow Projected global changes in temperature ‘ was viewed as a mysterious place, an glades best. Many non-Indians moved and precipitation may continue to alter the unknown, uncharted wilderness to a to the area in the 1800s and early 1900s Everglades. Sea level rise erodes cultural most outsiders that extended from and viewed this sensitive wetland as a sites, changes habitats, and increases salini- } the Kissimmee River to Lake Okee- worthless swamp. Dams, floodgates, x % i ty in estuaries and urban water supplies. H chobee, over low-lying land to Bis- canals, levees, and roads were built, Coo 9 I West Today the Comprehensive Everglades Res- Pp cayne Bay, the Ten Thousand Islands, diverting precious water from natural ay SON Beach toration Plan is working to mimic the his- » | and Florida Bay (diagram at right). wetlands, reducing freshwater flow to " a ¢ i | toric natural flow of water. Early results are : This mosaic of marshes, sawgrass prai- productive estuaries, creating land for VN EY encouraging—birds are returning to nest Wood stort x ries, and forests—home to an abun- agriculture, growing communities, and Feces} \ \ Llsedaie 2d nonnative plants have been removed 7) dance of birds, mammals, fish, and Big Cypress| setting the stage for ecological prob- x Big Cypress na in the wetlands restoration west of Royal Rs “ reptiles—was a prolific ecosystem that rothe lems. Soon the Everglades was drying atoll ‘Miami Palm. Restoration efforts are helping the : replenished the aquifer, the source of Ten Tams NOM up. To complicate matters, invasive Tens Oe iat park address regional challenges and the a : clean water for south Florida. SN payne nonnative plants and animals, began to penne global issue of climate change. You can son Everglades park spread and compete with native spe- Everglades “park help by reducing your carbon footprint. The American Indians who lived Naonal a cies. Everglades National Park was Maton < a) here—the early Calusa and Tequesta, created in 1947, but outside its borders and later the Seminole and Miccosu- people waged war on this wetland. Key West, Major Influences Black skimmer Everglades National Park's collage of habitats (below) is congregates in and around ever-shrinking water sources such __ sun-lit environments typical of freshwater marshes and pine © PHUP SiRAN dynamic. Water, elevation, fire, and hurricanes are major as ponds and gator holes. rocklands. influences on the health of the Everglades. Elevation Although measured in inches instead of feet, Hurricanes Powerful hurricane winds and storm surges can elevation defines each habitat, from the lowest freshwater marsh to higher tropical hardwood hammocks. destroy vegetation and re-shape shorelines, but these storms contribute to the park’s biodiversity by opening coastal land- scapes that favor certain plants and animals. Water Water flow is essential to all habitats in the Ever- glades. There are two main seasons here—wet and dry. The wet season (May-November) is a time of abundance and renewal when wildlife disperses, following the flood of rain- water across the landscape. During the dry season wildlife Roseate spoonbill Fire Natural and prescribed fires help create the mosaic of habitats found in the Everglades and maintains the open, Marine and Estuarine Mangroves Freshwater Marsh Cypress Pine Rockland Tropical Hardwood Hammocks Marine and estuarine Mangroves are found The Everglades fresh- Cypress trees thrive Pine Rockland, the These dense island waters extend from in coastal channels water marsh is a wide, in flooded conditions. rarest and most di- forests grow on the Ten Thousand !s- and winding rivers shallow, slow-moving Cypress forests often verse habitat in the slightly elevated land and rarely flood. Tem- perate trees, such as live oak, are out- numbered by tropical mahogany, gumbo-limbo, mastic, and others. Ferns and air plants thrive here. Natural moats around hammocks help protect them from fire. Everglades, occurs on the highest elevations, along a limestone ridge on the east coast of south Florida. This habitat includes slash pine forest, an understory of saw palmetto, and over 200 varieties of tropical plants. where fresh and salt water intermingle. Mangrove forests sta- bilize coastal land, sus- tain nurseries for marine life, and provide nesting habitat for wading birds. These forests are the first line of de- fense against storm winds and surges. grow in the shape of a dome, with taller trees in the center of the dome, or in a linear “strand” where tree growth follows the flow of water. A long- lived, deciduous wetland species, cypress can live as long as 600 years. lands to Florida Bay. Seagrass beds lie be- neath these waters, providing critical food and shelter for marine life. The health of this environment is dependent on management of freshwater flows by people and is key to sustaining productive fisheries outside the park. “river of grass," the iconic ecosystem of the park. Two major drainages—the broad Shark River Slough (pro- nounced slew) and the narrow Taylor Slough—are the main avenues for freshwater flow. Tropical Hardwood Hammocks ae fe ee i" Se Great blue heron (Wwhitgsmorph) By Pine Rockland foseate poonbill |. Joe = as American alligator Florida gar Softshell turtle bass American crocodile Walking catfish Exploring the Everglades I. Paddle through the mang} Ernest F. Coe and Park Road View the Everglades from the Observation Tower. roves. Watch a beautiful sunset. Shark Valley Camp at a primitive site on the Gulf Coast. Gulf Coast Flamingo More Information Gulf Coast Visitor Cen- ter, staffed daily, is located 4.75 miles south of US 41 (Tamiami Trail) on State Road 29 in Everglades City. It offers information, its, wilderness per. mits, salés items, picnick- ing, restrooms, and ranger-led activities in winter. Marinas and boat launch facilities are located near the visitor center. Motor- boat and paddling trips into nearby waters provide opportunities to see dolphins, birds, manatees, and other wildlife. Phone: 239-695-3311. Boat Tours, offered daily, provide a glimpse into the mangrove estuary and the Ten Thousand Islands. Information and tickets are available in the lower level of the visitor center. Call 239-695-2591 for information. Canoeing/Kayaking provide paddlers with a special experience to view wildlife in the Ten Thousand Islands. Canoe vel with rangers for weather conditions and safety information. Sandfly Island Trail 2.4-mi. paddle to trail- head; 0.9-mi. walk fea- tures mangrove and tropical hardwood hammock habitats and cultural sites. Great blue heron ‘. Everglades Ecosyste s Shark Valley Visitor Center, staffed daily, is located on US 41 (Tamiami Trail) 30 miles west of the Florida Turn- pike exit for SW 8th tion, exhibits, restrooms, and ranger- led activities in winter. Phone: 305-221-8776 Bobcat Boardwalk 0.4-mi. Walk from the visitor center through a sawgrass marsh and a bayhead. Otter Cave 1.0-mi. Walk from the visitor center through a tropical hardwood hammock. Tram Road 15.0-mi. Bike or walk this road to see alligators, birds, turtles, fish, and the vast Ever- glades wilderness. Permits required for groups of 20 or more. Helmets required for ages 16 and under. Tram Tour Take a guid- ed two-hour tour, offered daily, to see wildlife and learn about this freshwater ecosystem. Call 305-221-8455 for reservations. Fee. Marine and Estuarine Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, staffed daily, is located at 40001 State Road 9336, 11 miles from Homestead, Florida. It offers information, film, _exhibits, sales items, and restrooms. The Main Park Road is a scenic 38-mile drive from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to Flamin- go. We recommend these stops: Royal Palm, staffed daily, is 4 miles past the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Cen- ter. It offers information, sales items, restrooms and ranger-led activities in winter. Tr Anhinga Trail 0.8-mi. A must see, with great opportunities to view birds, alligators, turtles, and fish, especially in winter. B Mangrove EW Gumbo-Limbo Trail 0.4-mi. Explore this dense tropical hardwood hammock. Pinelands Trail 0.4-mi. ‘ough this su e forest, most diverse habitat in south Florida. Pa-hay-okee Overlook 0.2-mi. View the vast Everglades wilderness. Mahogany Hammock Trail 0.4-mi. Walk through this jungle-like island forest. Paurotis Pond Nesting site for anhinga, wood stork, great egret, white ibis, roseate spoonbill, and other species. West Lake Trail 0.4-mi Explore a mangrove forest and see trees that grow in salt water. zg Cypress Flamingo Visitor Center, can be excellent at near- staffed daily in winter and by Mrazek and Eco Ponds. intermittently the rest of the year, is located 38 miles past the Ernest F. restrooms, and wilderness permits year-round. Call 239-695-2945 for hours. Boat Tours Daily narrated excursions into Florida Bay and mangrove estuary de- part from the Flamingo Marina. Concession Ser- vices Marina, store, gas station, and food service in winter. Call 239-695- 3101 for information. life Viewing Ameri- can crocodiles and manatees may be found around the Flamingo Marina. At certain times bird viewing Coastal Prairie At low tide, birds congre- gate on the mudflats in front of the visitor center. maps are available in the visitor center. Ask rangers for safety information and weather conditions. Suggested paddling routes include Nine Mile Pond, a 5.5-mi. loop, and trips into Florida Bay. Freshwater Slough gy Pineland For Your Safety Bring water, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Supervise small children at all times. This is a wilderness area, wildlife moves about freely. Do not feed or approach wildlife. Be aware of alligators, poisonous plants, and snakes. Camping Drive-in camping is available at Long Pine Key and Flamingo. Get more information at visitor centers and the park website. Explore Further The park offers wilderness camping, greater solitude on longer trails, outstanding night skies, and much more. For things to do, ask a ranger or visit the park website. Pets Please control pets on a six-foot leash. They are permitted on public roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, maintained grounds, and boats. Temperatures are ex- treme. Do not leave pets in a parked car. Emergencies call 1-800-788-0511 Freshwate: Marl Prairie Fishing Ask at a visitor center or check the park website for fishing regulations. Prohibited Drones, Jet Skis, water-skiing and off- road vehicles are all prohib-__ in the park. Accessibility We strive to make our facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For information go to a visitor center, ask a ranger, call, or check our website. Firearms Florida state law applies to firearms in the park. Hunting is prohibited. More Information Everglades National Park 40001 State Road 9336 Homestead, FL 33034-6733 305-242-7700 www.nps.gov/ever To learn more about national parks, visit www.nps.gov. 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Now we encircle it ae iad mes Eee g & nearly 1.3 million acres of Wilderness gives us a glimpse % | AGHH H Dante Fascell s marine estuary, mangrove of what America once was. ' yokes | {canst orive Visitor Center and cypress forests, hard- H Overlook lands ‘al SW 328th Street zi in Fock Reef Long Pine =h- Florida city 4 iS ABDM ay Sacondfatch ' & 336) ubico Non-wilderness , ney, shark or , Staveyard ong Aeeek Nike Missle Base * , ae ua fistoric Area Royab Palm Wilderness penn rar /Anhinga Trail re f, Gumbo Limbo Trail : i s jatson River rchhes y ) weshniee A Gre Mahogany id ingraha 4 < S jampnod y e Roberterivete (WG Ane. 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Navigational Ocean _utilize nautical charts. * Keys _to special regulation. + Rec- Survey charts are essential and beaches in Florida Bay reational fishing requires a . FLORIDA BAY Fave Florida Keys for safe boating. Charts are are closed to landings unless__ license in both fresh water ba : National Marine Sanctuary available in most communi- _ otherwise designated. * Com- _and salt water. * A permit is ; Aaitte Rabbit Key Rees ties around the park and mercial fishing is prohibited required for backcountry aad 7 throughout the Keys. Know- _in the park. « To protect im- camping. Plantation ABLEAIN- BELG OCEAN ing the draft (depth) and portant sea grass beds, Pole/ \ Pantation limits of your boat iscritical, Troll Zones have been < os é \ Upper Arsnicher Barnes Key Water Depths \ ken, —7'0-3 feet Hiking trail Lighted marker Picnic area Marina é erson = islamorada {1 meten 2 wa" & : Ne Lower Arsiher Is Cignumvitse Key) J wiamorad \ Rees { State Aquatic . Upper Matecumbe National Park Service jas static \ Keys y Preserve ¢ Ke seen veda eens ao“ ys ME Ee eect mien . A Ugnunmitae fe Key A. National Park Service Boat launcl » Sys ~? —— ove feet 7 Wiseress Water, [5] romping staion —_Prtve caste ” Bigs iegon _| (Over 2 meters) 24 way and canoe tral Ay Private campground [I F008 service x Zs i peasy Florida Keys OP oo {ower Mtecumbe rm orl 5 10 Kilometers ] Wildlife protection jater detention Interpretive trail Lodgin National Marine ye To Key West ee _— — a wieeoes, Cs rr a tates sonal Ma Ree nae io ; Ane