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From the Desk of
Representative Byron Donalds

Rep. Donalds (R-FL) joins representatives from the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of the Interior,
and the Miccosukee Tribal Government on a tour of Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.
PRESERVING AND PROACTIVELY PROTECTING OUR EVERGLADES

by Congressman Byron Donalds

verglades National Park is one of their species is either endangered or threatened. While it is crucial
the most treasured parts of our local that we ensure the stability and sustainability of these species,
Ecommunity, our state, and our country. invasive species such as the Lionfish and Burmese Python have
Not only is the Everglades the third largest wreaked havoc on this ecosystem.
national park in the lower forty-eight states, Originating from the Indo-Pacific, the Lionfish competes
but it is a World Heritage Site that is home directly with native predators like the snapper and grouper, can
to thirteen endangered species, the largest cause harmful ecological impacts and can cause algae to overgrow
designated wilderness in the Eastern United coral reefs if their numbers go unchecked. Also originating from
States, the largest continuous sawgrass Southeast Asia, the Burmese Python has become a significant
prairie in North America, the largest problem in the Everglades. The fifteen-to-twenty-foot snake is most
mangrove system in our hemisphere, and one of the most significant likely the main reason that mammal populations in the Everglades
avian breeding grounds in North America. We are blessed to live have declined sharply over the years. They target squirrels and other
so close to such a dynamic and important wildlife reserve, but as its smaller creatures, but have even attacked neighboring animals as
neighbors, we must be active and engaged stewards of this land. To large as alligators and panthers. Thanks to our National Park Service
do so, there are various measures that we can take. rangers, and others on the ground, we have a persistent team of men
This year, we have received little to no rain in Southwest Florida. and women working hard to rein in this growing problem in our
Consequently, our region is now once again under drought and fire region. We must ensure that these men and women are granted the
warnings. If wilderness in the Everglades is unmanaged and unkept, ability to operate machinery on this protected land, to ensure that
catastrophic wildfires could occur, spreading rapidly across the park’s they can properly do their jobs.
1.5 million acres of trees, brush, grass, and plant-life. This is why Pristine water quality is also vital to a healthy Everglades.
the wildfire-mitigation strategy of prescribed fire is so crucial to our Every day, nutrient-filled water flows into Lake Okeechobee and
region. For many, the thought of our government purposely burning is subsequently discharged throughout East, West and South
hundreds of thousands of acres of the Everglades each year is not Florida–ultimately resulting in poor water quality and the outbreak
only horrifying, but scares local homeowners, who worry that the of harmful algal blooms. In Congress, I introduced a commonsense
fires may reach their own neighborhoods. bipartisan measure that will turn unused government waste into
Prescribed fires are conducted by trained professionals who environmental restoration by addressing various water quality
strategically create breaks in the wilderness, to section-off these challenges, such as harmful algal blooms, sea-level rise, acidification,
managed burn sites from other parts of the Everglades and from pollution, erosion, hydraulic alterations, etc. I have also introduced
our local communities. Prescribed fires help reduce the threat of practical legislation for the inclusion of ‘algal blooms’ to the
uncontrollable wildfires, are essential in restoring and maintaining applicability of Major Disaster Declarations.
the fire adapted ecosystem of the Everglades, are safer for our Recently, I joined members of my office along with
first responders, and according to the National Park Service, they representatives from the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish
are 100 times more cost effective to contain. This practice is not and Wildlife Service, the Department of the Interior, and the
only financially and ecologically smart, but it is a very important, Miccosukee Tribal Government on a tour of Florida Panther
proactive step taken to advance the safety of us all in South Florida. National Wildlife Refuge in the Western Everglades. Together, we
Other key issues currently affecting the Everglades include thoroughly examined each of these considerable challenges facing
invasive species reduction, endangered and threatened species the Western Everglades. It is evident that there is still much to be
conservation, and water quality. The Florida Panther, American done to preserve and proactively protect the Everglades, but I am
Crocodile, American Alligator and West Indian Manatee are four confident that together, our combined efforts will be effective.
of the most well-known inhabitants of the Everglades, but each of

CONTACT MY OFFICE

Collier County Office Washington, DC Office
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 105, Naples, FL 34112 1719 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 239.252.6225 Phone: 202.225.2536

14 Life in Naples | April 2023