|
SHINGLE CREEK – Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole
and President and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts Harris
Rosen today joined a host of state and local leaders to
launch a first-of-its-kind wilderness trip entitled:
Expedition Headwaters, An Everglades Journey to
Remember. Embarking from the Rosen Shingle Creek, two
teams of kayakers and hikers will traverse 140 miles
from Shingle Creek to Lake Okeechobee over a 12-day
period.
“It is important to remember America’s Everglades
begin in central Florida, flowing through the Kissimmee
River, down to Lake Okeechobee and the River of Grass,”
said DEP Secretary Sole. “We all have a responsibility
to take care of our natural resources; working together
we can return the Everglades to the great natural
treasure it once was.”
As the headwaters of America’s Everglades, the
expedition is designed to increase awareness of the
hydrological and ecological connection of the Orlando
metropolitan area with the Everglades ecosystem. Team
members will learn about the state’s extensive
restoration efforts, view restored portions of the
Kissimmee River and participate in the area’s
recreational opportunities.
"Expedition Headwaters will illustrate the connection
of the Central Florida communities to the greater
Everglades watershed. The goal is to help all of us
better understand how activities in Orlando and the
neighboring areas both benefit and impact the water
quality and supply of the Kissimmee River, Lake
Okeechobee and the Everglades,” said South Water
Management District Governing Board Member Harkley R.
Thornton.
With the goal of following and exploring the natural
corridor connecting Orlando with Lake Okeechobee and the
Everglades, the expedition team will record their
observations through online journal entries and
photography. Along with DEP’s Office of Environmental
Education the team will also participate in three field
labs conducted with students from elementary and middle
schools in the region to increase awareness about
watersheds, wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
“I am committed to making all of my hotels
environmentally sound and hope that other hotel owners
follow suit,” said Mr. Rosen. “It is up to local
businesses and citizens to help the state with the
restoration and do what they can to save our natural
resources.”
The Department of Environmental Protection and South
Florida Water Management District will also sponsor
riverside talks throughout the 12-day journey. At
various stops along the tour, team members and the media
will have the opportunity to hear from leading experts
about acquiring land for restoration, current
construction activity, restoration successes, prescribed
burning and an historical overview of the area.
Restoring America’s Everglades is reviving habitat
for more than 60 threatened and endangered species,
establishing a reliable supply of water for millions of
Floridians and providing flood control consistent with
the restoration. To date, Florida has invested more than
$2 billion to restore and preserve America’s Everglades
and $140 million to improve the health of Lake
Okeechobee.
For more information, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/evergladesforever/eh/default.htm. | 
