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The miracle of the light pours over the green and brown expanse of saw grass and of water, shining and slow-moving below, the grass and water that is the meaning and the central fact of the Everglades of Florida. It is a river of grass."
-Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Everglades National Park preserves about a fifth of the interconnected swamp lands, estuaries and pinelands that make up the everglades ecosystem in southern Florida. Only 25% of the historic everglades remain.

The park preserves approximately 1.5 million acres. It is the third largest national park in the continental United States, behind Death Valley and Yellowstone National Park. It was the first national park ever created for it's biological diversity. Before the inception of Everglades National Park, federal parks were always chosen based on aesthetic merit.

For this reason, the park serves first and foremost as a biological preserve. Though some of the large, more formidable species such as the American Crocodile and the manatee garner more public attention, there are also rare and fragile plant and aquatic systems found in few places on earth outside the Everglades.

The diversity of species originates in the diversity of ecosystems found within the park's boundaries. The ecosystems within the everglades range from pineland to freshwater slough; from marine estuaries and saltwater mangrove forests to coastal prairieland. Over 1,000 species of plants thrive in the Everglades.

There is an ethical imperative pervasive throughout the park that prompts visitors to 'leave no trace' of their passage. Photographers and families are welcome to hike and explore, but all who enter the park are asked to follow these guidelines:

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Despite the fact that endangered species inside the boundaries of the park are protected by law, many are still declining in number. The everglades outside the park's boundaries continues to be defiled and reduced by human activity. Drainage has compromised the integrity of wetlands, and the loss of sea-grass in the Florida bay was followed by losses to avian, marine and plant populations.

People often release exotic snakes into the Everglades that have become too large or aggressive to care for. Large snakes, such as the Burmese Python, end up competing with the American Alligator for prey. Snakes have had an impact on bird populations, as they will eat both birds and eggs. They can pose a threat to visitors who are not wary when exploring the Everglades.

Safety should be part of your agenda when planning a trip to the everglades. Know your route, and book a guide if you are unsure what areas are safe to explore. Keep a safe distance from all manner of reptiles. Do not enter standing water, or exit a boat before reaching dry land. Small children should remain in populated park areas, and not be taken into the back country. Never leave a child unattended when you are camping or hiking in the park.

Visitor Information:

The park is always open, but many of the facilities operate on a seasonal schedule. Shark Valley Entrance is open from 8:30 am to 6pm.

The entrance fee is standard for a federal national park: $10.00 for a 7 day pass per non-commercial vehicle. Individual entry is $5.00. The National Park Pass can be used at Everglades National Park.

Visitor Information
(305) 242-7700

http://www.nps.gov/eve r/
http://www.everglades.nation al-park.com/

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