|
LAKE OKEECHOBEE – Two teams of kayakers and
hikers today concluded a first-of-its-kind wilderness
trip entitled: Expedition Headwaters, An Everglades
Journey to Remember. Embarking from the Rosen
Shingle Creek on March 23, the adventurers traversed 140
miles from Shingle Creek to Lake Okeechobee over a
12-day period.
“The State remains firmly committed to advancing and
completing Everglades restoration. Through unprecedented
events like this 12-day excursion we continue to
demonstrate that we are saving an interconnected
ecosystem,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Thank
you to our fearless travelers for their time, energy and
dedication in raising awareness about Florida’s precious
natural resources.”
As the headwaters of America’s Everglades, the
expedition was an effort to increase awareness of the
hydrological and ecological connection of the Orlando
metropolitan area with the Everglades ecosystem. Team
members learned about the state’s extensive restoration
efforts, viewed restored portions of the Kissimmee River
and participated in the area’s recreational activities.
“As part of the Expedition Headwaters team, I enjoyed
being one of the first kayakers to paddle the
Kissimmee’s newly restored river channel. Our group
witnessed first-hand the recovering bird populations,
and spotted otters, turtles, alligators and other
wildlife,” said Doug Alderson, DEP’s Office of Greenways
and Trails. “I also enjoyed the other aspects of the
expedition including interacting with students and
educating people about the importance of keeping
inflowing water clean from all sources feeding the
Everglades headwaters, especially from the growing city
of Orlando.”
With the goal of following and exploring the natural
corridor connecting Orlando with Lake Okeechobee and the
Everglades, the expedition team recorded their
observations through online journal entries and
photography. Along with DEP’s Office of Environmental
Education, the team participated in field labs with
students and teachers from elementary and middle schools
in the region to increase awareness about watersheds,
wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
The DEP and South Florida Water Management District
also sponsored riverside talks throughout the 12-day
journey. At various stops along the tour, team members
and the media had the opportunity to hear from leading
experts about acquiring land for restoration, current
construction activity, restoration successes, prescribed
burning and the history of the area.
The DEP’s Office of Greenways & Trails manages eight
state trails, in addition to the Marjorie Harris Carr
Cross Florida Greenway. The Greenway is Florida’s
longest green corridor stretching 110 miles from the St.
Johns River near Palatka to the Gulf of Mexico near
Inglis. Of the eight state trails, six are rail-trails
-- railroad corridors converted to recreational trails
for hiking, biking, skating and equestrian activities.
Through Florida Forever, the State’s premier land
acquisition program, $4.5 million is allocated annually
to purchase and preserve land for Florida’s greenways
and trails.
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. e.
For more information and to read the daily journal
submitted by the expedition team, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/evergladesforever/eh/default.htm.
| 
