🍾Happy New Years: Celebrating 50 years of environmental success Stories in Florida🥂
Sometimes it's hard to see change because it doesn't happen overnight. As we start the new year, let's do so with optimism and inspiration from the past 50 years. These are just a few success stories. If you know more, please contribute to this "campfire" discussion in the comments.
💧EPA Everglades REMAP
Over 30 years of data across 2,000 square miles.
Phosphorus levels in surface water have declined in many areas, with median concentrations dropping below the 10 ppb target in several Water Conservation Areas.
Cattail expansion has slowed or reversed in some regions, with native sawgrass rebounding.
🦩FIU Everglades Science Center
40+ years of research involving 100+ scientists
Long-term data sets on periphyton, fish biomass, and hydrology used to calibrate restoration models
Documented increased wading bird nesting success in restored areas
🐊South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) 2025 Report
Over 60,000 acres of wetlands restored
More than 100 miles of canals backfilled or rehydrated
Tamiami Trail bridging completed, restoring flow to Everglades National Park
🚣Florida LAKEWATCH & USF Atlas of Lakes
Thousands of water quality samples collected by volunteers.
Trends in chlorophyll-a, nitrogen, and phosphorus tracked across hundreds of lakes
Data used to assess trophic state and inform lake management
These wins didn’t happen overnight. They came from decades of science, sweat, and love— from people like you. In every corner of this state, change looks different. It’s restoring a shoreline, making a change to reduce energy within their home, upgrading agricultural practices to be more sustainable, or teaching a child to understand how ecosystems work. This new year, we honor every step—big or small— toward a Florida where nature belongs to all of us.
Let’s keep going. Together.