Florida Senate - 2024 (NP) SR 154 By Senator Avila 39-00230-24 2024154__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing The Everglades Foundation for 3 30 years of service in the protection and restoration 4 of the Everglades and for its commitment to public 5 education and advocacy. 6 7 WHEREAS, since its founding in 1994, The Everglades 8 Foundation has been a leading voice for protection and 9 restoration of the Everglades and is the only science-based 10 nonprofit dedicated solely to advocacy for and public education 11 regarding one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, and 12 WHEREAS, The Everglades Foundation aims to restore water 13 flow to South Florida and water quality within the Everglades, 14 to ensure the sustainability of a restored Everglades as a 15 healthy and protected ecosystem capable of supporting abundant 16 plant, animal, and human life, and to ensure the fiscal 17 sustainability of the foundation and its mission, and 18 WHEREAS, the foundation’s Everglades Literacy Program 19 curriculum promotes a secure future for one of the world’s most 20 remarkable, yet threatened, natural environments by educating 21 and empowering K-12 teachers and students, and 22 WHEREAS, the Everglades’ natural habitats cover an area of 23 almost 18,000 square miles, from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes 24 down to Lake Okeechobee, through the river of grass, and down to 25 Florida Bay and the iconic Florida Keys, and 26 WHEREAS, Everglades National Park is home to 36 threatened 27 or protected species, including the Florida panther, the 28 American crocodile, and the West Indian manatee, along with 350 29 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 30 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles, and 31 WHEREAS, The Everglades Foundation remains dedicated to 32 preserving the Everglades for future generations, NOW, 33 THEREFORE, 34 35 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 36 37 That The Everglades Foundation is recognized for 30 years 38 of service in the protection and restoration of the Everglades 39 and for its commitment to public education and advocacy.