Restoration of the Florida's Everglades is the single largest wetlands restoration project ever attempted, anywhere. It's a massive effort involving federal, state, local and tribal partners undertaking a wide range of activities, from acquiring lands to the building of water storage reservoirs and water control structures. There's also a role for you. Please explore the list below to learn how you can help in the restoration efforts.

View The Film, Share The Website

The Water's Journey: Everglades film and website were created for you. They contain inspiring and informative stories about the Everglades and the problems that impact the future of the Everglades. You can help spread awareness of these resources by sharing them with your friends, family, and colleagues.

To share this website, use the Recommend This Site form.

To view a trailer of the film, or to view entertaining "Behind the Scenes" clips, or to buy a copy of the film, visit Water's Journey: Everglades Film section of this site.

To Purchase a copy of the film, please visit our store.

Learn about the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)

To restore and preserve this American treasure, enhance water supplies, and maintain flood protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and numerous other federal, state, local and tribal partners, has developed a plan to save the Everglades. It's called the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, or CERP.

Learn more by visiting the CERP web site.

Or visit the web site of the South Florida Water Management District .

Get Involved with Everglades Restoration

Make a difference for the Everglades by getting involved with the restoration efforts. A schedule of public meetings pertaining to CERP is located on the CERP web site.

Get Out There and Experience The Everglades!

The Everglades ecosystem is the size of the state of New Jersey, and includes everything from ranches, farms and human development to a national park and a national marine sanctuary. There are countless opportunities for boaters, hikers, paddlers, birdwatchers, photographers, fishermen, artists, cyclists, and campers to see firsthand why the Everglades is such a unique and valuable resource.

Get inspired to experience and understand the Everglades by visiting the web sites of the following parks, preserves and sanctuaries:

Go Native

You can learn about the benefits to the Everglades of "going native" in your yard, such as saving time, money, and energy, as well as conserving resources, by joining the Florida Native Plant Society.

You can try visiting a nursery or garden center that specializes in Florida native plants, or request that your favorite retailer stock Florida native plants. You can request a free guide, Real Florida Gardeners, which lists native nurseries and garden centers from the Association of Florida Native Nurseries.

You can learn about the nine major principles behind Florida-friendly landscaping from the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program at the University of Florida.

You can also learn about how to select the right plants for the right place in your yard, or learn how to replace expanses of lawn with "florida-friendly" plants by using a comprehensive online database and an interactive landscaping tutorial.

Make Every Drop Count

You can do a lot around your home to help conserve Florida's water resources. From lawn irrigation to leaking toilets, there are numerous steps you can take to be a water saver, not a water waster.

Plug The Leaks

Runoff of automotive fluids from driveways and parking lots is a major contributor to contaminating water bodies in Florida. Service your car regularly. Frequent inspections and maintenance prevent leakage of motor oil, antifreeze, and other fluids that can wash into our waterways. Dispose of used motor oil and antifreeze at local recycling centers.

Be Septic Savvy

Maintain septic systems. Inspect them every couple of years and pump out as needed. Avoid using strong chemicals in the household. When rinsed down the drain, they can destroy the bacteria that treat the wastes in your system and the result is more pollution in waterways.

Contact Public Offices

Contact local, state, and federal officials to seek more information and to share your concerns about the Everglades. Key government offices dealing with matters pertaining to the future of the Everglades include:

Register to Vote

The most fundamental way to take an active part in governmental decisions is to vote. Go to www.congress.org and click on "Register to Vote." Then click on your state in the U.S. map.

Be Active, Locally

Spend an evening at a county or city commission meeting or workshop. Challenge local community covenants that require the planting of non-native grasses and plants that require lots of water and fertilizer. Lend an ear and let your voice be heard about what goes on in your water body, watershed, or community.

Shop Wisely

Make sure products are labeled biodegradable, nontoxic, or water-soluble. These readily decompose and will not pollute groundwater.

Animal Wastes

Dispose of pet waste or bury it away from water bodies. Avoid planting flowery ornamentals such as roses near water bodies as these can exacerbate the problem of waste contributed by wildlife. For instance, many species of ducks are fond of feeding on flowers, particularly roses.

Fish by the Rules

Purchase a fishing license and follow the conservation laws for fishing. All of the money spent on licenses goes to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for conservation of Florida's living resources. Learn more about Florida's Freshwater Fishing Regulations at the commission's website.

Wash Carefully

Wash boats over land, away from the water. If it must be done on the water, use only phosphate-free and biodegradable products rather than conventional cleaners, polishes, and detergents which pollute water bodies. Use sponges and soft towels instead of abrasives to prevent scraping which can release paint chips and metals into the water.

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