Today Audubon Florida will join U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy to celebrate the completion of a bridge on a one-mile section of Tamiami Trail. For over 20 years, removing Tamiami Trail as an obstruction to natural water flow has been one of Audubon’s highest priorities.
“Completing the first bridge on Tamiami Trail marks one of the most exciting ecosystem restoration milestones in American history,” said Julie Hill-Gabriel, Audubon Florida’s Director of Everglades Policy. “Many people said this project would never be built. While there is more work to be done, today’s celebration should be a reminder that progress is possible when the goals of science and policy align.”
Since its construction in 1928, Tamiami Trail has served as a dam blocking the north to south flow of water at the heart of the River of Grass. The result has been parched wetlands and diverted water flows that impact wading bird populations in Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. Finally, a one-mile segment of the Trail has been bridged, allowing water to flow once again.
“The Everglades has been torn apart by roads, canals and levees,” said Audubon Florida’s Executive Director Eric Draper. “Putting the parts back together is the key to not only benefiting wildlife like Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks, but to securing fresh water for people and nature. We salute those who have worked so hard over the past 20 years and overcome so many obstacles to get to this point.”
Download Audubon’s Tamiami Trail Fact Sheet: http://bit.ly/137Wsjy.