|
|
|
 |
Did you know that the Florida
Everglades was once a vibrant, free-flowing
river of grass that provided clean
water from Lake Okeechobee to Florida
Bay? Today, this extraordinary ecosystem is
dying. Over the past half-century, the health
and size of the Everglades have steadily
declined. Severely impacted by drainage
and development, the Everglades is
suffering from a critical shortage of clean,
reliable water sources.
To restore and preserve south Florida's
natural environment, enhance water
supplies, and maintain flood protection, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in
partnership with the South Florida Water
Management District and numerous other
federal, state, local and tribal partners, has
developed a plan to save the Everglades.
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan (CERP) includes a series of ecological
and water system improvements. During
the next 30 years, the Corps, the District,
and their sponsoring partners will restore
water quality, quantity, timing, and
distribution in what is being referred to as
"the largest environmental restoration
project in history."
To find out more about Everglades
restoration, visit our official website at
www.evergladesplan.org.
|
|
|
 |
| A partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
South Florida Water Management District and many
other federal, state, local and tribal partners. |
|
|
 |
Be sure to meet up with the CERP
Outreach Team at one of these key
events throughout the south Florida
community or visit
www.evergladesplan.org for additional
information on public meetings:
Kwanzaa Fest
African-American Research Library
Fort Lauderdale
December 26 |
|
|
 |
Please join the CERP
Outreach Team in
welcoming Elizabeth
"Beth" Myers, Deputy
for Small Business. If
you are interested in
learning about the business opportunities
with the Corps, please contact Ms. Myers
at 904-232-1150. Interested persons
can also reach Ms. Myers via email at
elizabeth.r.myers@usace.
army.mil.
To learn about business opportunities
with the South Florida Water Management
District, please contact the Procurement
Hotline at 1-800-472-5290.
To request a presentation for a group or
organization, please contact Erica Robbins
at 561-472-8893 or Bernadette Morris at
305-948-8063, ext. 201.
People interested in learning about the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan can leave their name and mailing
address on the toll-free line at
1-877-CERP-USA. |
|
|
|
 |
| In this edition, you will find the latest news and information about the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and
community outreach efforts throughout south Florida. As you read through this issue, you will discover more about what the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District are doing to inform, involve and engage our
citizens, businesses and communities in the Everglades restoration plan and the protection of our future water supply. |
|
|
|
 |
|
To help raise awareness about the Everglades in a clever and interesting manner, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District is releasing two screensavers starting in December.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Corps has recognized the annual celebration of Kwanzaa with the release of a screensaver. Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, culture and community and is observed Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. This year, back by popular demand, is a screensaver that connects the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) to the general principles of Kwanzaa featuring scenes from a comic strip series set in the Everglades. The Livin' with the Waters' series has messages that tie into the principles of CERP and Kwanzaa. |
An all-new screensaver is set to debut in December, for year-round use. This CERP screensaver will feature animals of the Everglades. Modeled after the "Name That CERP Sound" game, the screensaver will feature rare and fascinating wildlife species - largely birds - that are found in the Everglades ecosystem. The screensaver focuses on the animals, their unique vocal sounds, and includes fun facts on each species.
“Both screensavers help raise awareness of the Everglades and CERP,” said Nanciann Regalado, strategic communication and outreach program manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “They provide an appealing way to be reminded daily of the value of restoring the Everglades and our natural environment.”
Both will be available for download on the www.evergladesplan.org web site and will be provided at community events on DVD in limited quantities. For additional information, please call 305-948-8063. |
|
|
 |
|
 Now there is a way to bring the animals of the Everglades into schools and homes!
Illustrations of animals that make their home in the Everglades have been placed
online for downloading, printing and laminating. They are designed to be placed on
classroom bulletin boards, but can be used at home and in other settings as well.
Four heart-warming renderings of animals native to the Florida environment
are available: a wood stork, largemouth bass, Florida panther cub and American
crocodile. All live in Everglades areas that are being restored through CERP and other
efforts. Protected habitat is one key to their survival. They were originally produced for
an Everglades animal mobile, and now are available in a larger size suitable for a
bulletin board.
The characters were introduced in October at the Florida Association of Science
Teachers (FAST) conference in Orlando. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District participated in the annual statewide conference to provide
information to educators on its elementary education program about the Everglades.
The characters - totaling 11 in three sets - also complement lesson plans taught
with The Journey of Wayne Drop to the Everglades storybook, associated
coloring book and the separate animal mobile.
They are available to anyone online in the education section of the CERP web site.
To view and learn more, visit
http://www.evergladesplan.org/education/educ_resources.aspx#bb |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 After six years and 42 issues, CERP Report is bidding
adieu with this final issue in November-December
2007. The newsletter will be replaced immediately with a
new electronic publication, to focus more on CERP news,
information and updates. The debut issue will be
distributed to CERP Report readers in January 2008.
The upcoming newsletter will feature the same lively
format, content and photos - only with more news and information about Everglades restoration projects, its
progress, and other efforts to restore south Florida's
ecosystem. Outreach activities - the focus of CERP Report - will still be included.
For now, we hope you enjoy this final issue. Please watch
your e-mail inbox for a new look and newsletter
coming soon! |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Dance students explore the CERP Kiosk at the John F. Kennedy
Library in Hialeah during Hispanic Heritage Month. |
|
Erica Robbins, Corps of Engineers outreach specialist, speaks to K through
7th grade students at Miami Community Charter School in Florida City in
October. Shown are the kindergarten class and Ms. Robbins. |
 |
|
 |
Teachers, science coordinators and teacher trainers learn about the
Corps' Everglades education curriculum at the Florida Association of
Science Teachers (FAST) conference from Oct. 25 to 27. |
|
| Students at the 5th Annual South Dade E-Fair & Festival at Miami
Metro Zoo in September learn about environmental protection
programs, including that of the Everglades. |
 |
|
|
|
|
