📍 Tallahassee, FL — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is touting a series of environmental victories as his administration continues its aggressive push to restore the Everglades and protect native wildlife from invasive threats. A newly released informational poster titled "Protecting Florida's Native Wildlife" outlines the scope and impact of these efforts, highlighting record investments, landmark restoration projects, and a dramatic expansion of invasive species control programs.
🌿 Historic Investment in Everglades Restoration
Since 2019, Florida has invested nearly $1 billion into Everglades restoration—more than the total spent in the previous 12 years combined. The funding has supported over 75 major projects aimed at improving water quality, restoring wetlands, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Among the most notable initiatives:
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The C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area
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The 10,000-acre C-43 Caloosahatchee Reservoir
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The EAA Reservoir, which will store 240 billion gallons of water upon completion
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Restoration of 70,000 acres of wetlands
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Removal of 5.8 million pounds of phosphorus from the ecosystem
Officials estimate that every dollar invested yields four dollars in economic benefits, underscoring the dual environmental and financial value of the program.
🐍 Crackdown on Invasive Species
Florida’s native wildlife has long been threatened by invasive species like Burmese pythons and Argentine black and white tegus. These predators, introduced through the exotic pet trade, have decimated populations of birds, mammals, and reptiles in the Everglades.
Under DeSantis’s leadership, the state has ramped up its response:
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Python removal contractors increased from 40 to over 100
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More than 4,000 additional acres of invasive plants cleared
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Expanded tegu removal operations across key habitats
🚨 Python Removal Program Sees Record Success
The Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) program has seen explosive growth and success. Since its inception in 2017, nearly 17,000 pythons have been removed from the Everglades. The number of contractors has surged to 343, and in 2022 alone, over 1,000 pythons were captured.
Among the most dramatic finds:
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Largest python removed: 215 pounds, 18 feet long
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Longest python removed: 19 feet
State wildlife officials say the program is critical to restoring balance in the Everglades and protecting vulnerable native species.
🎙️ Looking Ahead
Governor DeSantis has framed these environmental initiatives as central to his administration’s legacy. “Florida’s natural beauty is one of our greatest assets,” he said in a recent statement. “We’re committed to preserving it for future generations.”
With continued funding and public support, Florida’s aggressive stance on restoration and invasive species control may serve as a national model for ecosystem management.
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