In the early 1900’s, the Everglades City – Chokoloskee Island area was a trading post for small farmers who lived on the islands to the north and south.   The most notable farmer was Mr. Watson who lived on the Chatham River and was later shot in 1910 by locals in front of Smallwood’s Store.  Read the book “The Killing of Mr. Watson” for the details. 

 

In 1947, the Everglades National Park was established which changed the region forever.   The establishment of the park began the trend of conservation and realization of the environmental benefits of the Everglades.   Today, over 1.5 million visitors come to the Everglades National Parks various locations including Everglades City.   The economic value of the Everglades is measured in the billions.   Between eco-tourism, fishing, birding, commercial fishing, and water resources, the Everglades is essential to the future of South Florida.   

 

The Everglades has been in significant decline over the past 100 years.   The key problem has been the disruption of clean water flows from Central Florida to Florida Bay.   Specifically, the dikes built around Lake Okeechobee, construction of the Tamiami Trail, and construction of highway 75 were the major culprits.  In addition, agriculture and human activities have added contaminations to the ecosystem. 

 

Fortunately, more recently, Everglades restoration has been gaining momentum.   Thanks to the work of many concerned citizens and conservation groups including the Everglades Foundation, Conservancy of SW Florida, Florida Audubon, and many others, tangible action is now visible.   Take a trip down Janes Scenic Drive, approximately 10 miles from Everglades City, and you can travel through the Fakahatchee Strand which is largely left in its native state and enter the Picayune Strand, formerly Southern Golden Gate Estates.   Over the past twenty years, over 50,000 acres of land was acquired from private land owners.   This area was a failed residential development in the 1950’s which led to the jokes about “buying Florida swamp land.”   Approximately, one-third of the canals have been filled with hope that the remaining canals will be filled over the next few years to allow natural water flows to resume.  Other positive steps towards Everglades restoration include raising Tamiami Trail in the Shark Valley Slough and the purchase of US Sugar properties south of Lake Okeechobee.   Hopefully, the recent momentum in restoring water flows will produce dividends in the form of increased populations of birds, fish and animals. 

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