The News from Everglades

Biologists: Deadly Pythons May Not Get Out of Florida

Earlier this year, a U.S. Geological Survey report found that climate conditions favored the possible spread of Burmese pythons from Florida to as many as 32 states as the planet warms.

But a new study takes the opposite view: The voracious predators won't get out of the Everglades.

Can The Everglades Be Saved?

Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development.

But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.

Everglades Ablaze, Suspected Arsonist Arrested

A 7,000 acres fire, most likely human-caused, in Everglades National Park will be fully suppressed, according to park superintendent Dan Kimball, because it is burning close to two populations of a federally listed endangered species, the Cape Sable seaside sparrow.

"Our highest priority, as always, is firefighter and public safety, but we need to ensure that the habitat of the endangered seaside sparrow is protected," said Kimball.

Called the Mustang Corner Fire, this blaze was first reported Tuesday morning south of Chekika, a recreation area in the eastern part of the Everglades.

Murray 6th-grader wins essay contest

Murray sixth-grader Peter Rosen has been selected out of hundreds of competitors for his essay addressing a new direction to preserve the environment.

The National Park Foundation challenged kids nationwide with the following question: "What can you do now to turn over a new leaf for the environment and help preserve our national parks?"

In his essay, Rosen pointed out that "simple steps can be taken" at home and at the parks to reduce deterioration of the earth, including using alternative forms of transportation, turning out the lights and keeping garbage to a minimum.

Giant Pythons Could Spread Quickly Across South

As if killer bees and kudzu weren't enough, the southern United States may soon have another invasive species to contend with — giant Burmese pythons capable of swallowing deer and alligators whole.

Approximately 30,000 of the big snakes, which can reach 30 feet and 200 pounds, already live wild in Florida's Everglades, thanks to thick-headed pet owners who've released them into the swamps when they've grown too large to keep at home.

But now the U.S. Geological Survey says Florida is not the only place the Burmese python can thrive. In fact, the big beasts, which are not poisonous and rarely attack humans, could live happily in the entire southern third of the country, from Southern California to Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley and up the Eastern Seaboard to Chesapeake Bay.

Toyota Announces Million Dollar Donation to Everglades National Park

Toyota today announced a contribution of more than $1 million dollars and five vehicles to Everglades National Park to support environmental education programs. The donation will benefit more than 10,000 students annually via a number of initiatives including day program field trips and camping trips for grade school students; the K-12 Miccosukee Indian School program; in-park teacher workshops for day and camping programs; in-park special programs for other school groups and student organizations; and in-school teacher workshops.

This donation is part of a recently announced $5 million contribution from Toyota in support of five National Parks and the National Park Foundation to enhance environmental leadership and educational programs at parks around the country. The company is also donating 23 vehicles to the National Parks.

Secretary Kempthorne announces first round of National Park Centennial projects

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today unveiled the 110 national park improvement projects and programs that will get underway this spring, funded by an equal combination of public and private funds, under President Bush’s National Park Centennial Initiative. The Initiative, announced in 2006, proposed an innovative federal Centennial Challenge matching fund that would be used to match philanthropic contributions for the benefit of our national parks between now and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.

The more than $50 million in projects announced today on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, overlooking the National Mall, result from the combination of $24.6 million in federal funds that match nearly $27 million in philanthropic contributions. Highlighted Centennial Challenge projects and programs:

• Restoration of disturbed lands in Everglades National Park.
• A national effort to discover and record all living things in national parks with BioBlitzes and all-taxa biodiversity inventories in nine parks across the country.
• Upgraded and new interpretive trails at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore and other parks.
• Restoration of ancient redwood forest and watershed in Redwood National Park.
• Water quality enhancement, restoration of endangered mussels, reintroduction of Trumpeter Swans and wetland habitat learning experiences for visitors at Buffalo National River.
• Creation of The Institute at the Golden Gate to advance preservation and global sustainability at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco.
• Development and expansion of Junior Ranger programs at several national parks.
• Expansion of ranger interpretation at C&O Canal National Historical Park and the George Washington Memorial Parkway with new technology including podcasts and videocasts.