Everglades receives $1.1 billion from Infrastructure Bill

[T]he Everglades is the jewel of our state, the beating heart of our natural beauty, tourism economy, flood control, water purity, and quality of life.”

Rep. Val Demings of Florida's 10th District, which includes Apopka.

On Wednesday, the White House announced the largest ever investment of federal funds for Everglades restoration in its history. This funding comes from the Infrastructure Bill that was signed into law in November 2021 and represents a sweeping investment in the world’s largest ecosystem restoration project – America’s Everglades.

“We are elated to see this level of investment in Everglades restoration,” says Audubon Florida’s Director of Everglades Funding, Kelly Cox. “It is clear that restoring this ecosystem remains a bipartisan priority and this funding will expedite many impactful projects this year.”

Roseate Spoonbill

Congresswoman Val Demings was also pleased with this investment.

“I am proud to announce that after a long, tough political fight we have secured new bipartisan investment into the Everglades," said Rep. Val Demings of Florida's 10th District, which includes Apopka. "We fought for this funding for Florida because we know that the Everglades is the jewel of our state, the beating heart of our natural beauty, tourism economy, flood control, water purity, and quality of life. The preservation and restoration of the internationally renowned wetlands, prairies, and forests of the Everglades must be a national priority."

Audubon Florida and Florida’s Congressional delegation have been advocating for increased funding for Everglades restoration to support ongoing projects throughout the Greater Everglades ecosystem. The funding allocated to the U.S. Army Corps will allow already planned projects under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to be expedited, hastening the completion of Everglades Restoration. These projects, like the Indian River Lagoon C23/24 Reservoir, the Biscayne Bay and Southern Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Project, and the Western Everglades Restoration Project, will improve the hydrology of the region, safeguard drinking water supplies for South Florida, improve water quality, and increase the region’s resilience.

“This investment in Everglades restoration is unparalleled,” says Cox. “We are thrilled to see this funding coming through and look forward to the many ecological returns it will provide for the Everglades ecosystem.”

Since stopping the plume trade, Audubon has defended America’s Everglades against many human threats. Audubon continues to provide critical science and leads state and national advocacy to restore balanced water and wildlife to the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Audubon Florida protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Learn more at Fl.Audubon.org.