D-EVERGLADES+NATIONAL+PARK

=** ​Everglades National Park **media type="custom" key="5426095" width="318" height="297" align="right"=

__Park Profile:__

 * The Everglades are located in southern florida, beginning with the Kissimmee River near Orlando
 * Size: 1,399,078.26 gross area acres
 * Climate: average highs in winter: 77 F; average lows in winter: 53 F
 * Average rainfall of 60 inches per year
 * Temperatures in summer stay around 90 F
 * Average of about close to 1,000,000 visitors per year
 * Everglade's most popular sites include Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough



__History:__
The Everglades became an actual National Park when it was dedicated in 1947 by president Harry Truman. The actual idea of it becoming anational park started being brought up in the 1920's, and the idea was taken to the next level by the Tropical Everglades National Park Commission led by Ernest F. Coe. Coe was eventually nicknamed "Father of Everglades" and he was the main reason why it became a national park, as he raised numerous funds for purchasing the lands. The main reason why the Everglades became a park was to conserve the natural landscape and prevent further degradation of its land, plants, and animals. There were a few setbacks once the Everglades became a national park; the park was in serious danger in the 1960's because of the diversion of water to metropolitan areas. The problem was eventually resolved by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Everglades is most definitely a natural site because everything was already there before it officially became a national park. Way before the Everglades became a national park it was inhabited by Calusa Indians. After most of these Indians were decimated by disease, the area was then taken over by mostly Anglo American settlers known as Gladesmen. Also, in the 18th century, inhabitants of the area included the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes.

__Environmental Issues:__
The Everglades does have some environmental issues that need work. Since it became a national park, the developments have disrupted natural water flows, harmed wildlife due to pollution run-off, and many of the rich wetlands have been destroyed. The South Florida Water Management District came up with a plan to save the Everglades with the Water Resources Development Act. The main goal of this is to capture fresh water that now, unused, flows to the ocean and redirect it to areas that need it the most. Also there are visitors who come to the Everglades and don't treat it with much respect. It is completely unnecessary to litter into the marshes; not only is it hurting the air but the animals as well.

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__Recreational Activities:__
There are many different activities to do throughout the Everglades such as:
 * hiking trails
 * camping
 * boating
 * canoeing
 * biking
 * take photographs



The various types of animals in the Everglades include (left to right): Florida Panther, American Alligator, Eastern Indigo, Southern Toad, and Great Egret



Some more videos...

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__Works Cited__

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