Welcome to CERP Report CERP Screensavers Available in...

2
Characters Bring Everglades into Schools and Homes www.evergladesplan.org • 1-877-CERP-USA November/December 2007 W elcome to CERP Report I n 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. The Journey to Restore America’s Everglades A partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District and many other federal, state, local and tribal partners. A newsletter on community outreach initiatives for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District T o 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. N ow 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, CERP Screensavers Available in December Continued On Page 2 Ab out C E R P D id 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. Wayne Drop and Largemouth Bass Florida Panther Cub

Transcript of Welcome to CERP Report CERP Screensavers Available in...

Characters Bring Everglades into Schools and Homes

www.evergladesplan.org • 1-877-CERP-USA

November/December 2007

Welcome to CERP Report

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 engageour citizens, businesses and communities in the Everglades restoration plan and the protection of our future water supply.

The Journey to RestoreAmerica’s Everglades

A partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,South Florida Water Management District and many

other federal, state, local and tribal partners.

A newsletter on community outreach initiatives for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District

To help raise awareness aboutthe Everglades in a clever and

interesting manner, the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville Districtis releasing two screensavers starting in December.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Corps hasrecognized the annual celebration of Kwanzaa withthe release of a screensaver. Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday that celebratesfamily, culture and community and is observed Dec .26 to Jan. 1. This year, back by popular demand, isa screensaver that connects the ComprehensiveEverglades Restoration Plan (CERP) to thegeneral principles of Kwanzaa featuring scenes froma comic strip series set in the Everglades. TheLivin’ with the Waters’ series has messagesthat t ie 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 theEverglades. Modeledafter the “Name ThatCERP Sound” game,the screensaver willfeature rare andfascinating wildlifespecies – largely birds –that are found in theEverglades ecosystem.The screensaver focuseson the animals, theirunique vocal sounds,

and includes fun facts on each species.

“Both screensavers help raise awareness of theEverglades and CERP,” said Nanciann Regalado,strategic communication and outreach programmanager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.“They provide an appealing way to be remindeddaily of the value of restoring the Everglades andour natural environment.”

Both will be available for download on thewww.evergladesplan.org web site and will beprovided at community events on DVD in limitedquantit ies. For additional information, please call305-948-8063.

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 placedonline for downloading, printing and laminating. They are designed to be placed on

classroom bulletin boards, but can be used at home and in other sett ings as well.

Four heart-warming renderings of animals native to the Florida environmentare available: a wood stork, largemouth bass, Florida panther cub and American

crocodile. All live in Everglades areas that are being restored through CERP and otherefforts. Protected habitat is one key to their survival. They were originally produced foran Everglades animal mobile, and now are available in a larger size suitable for abulletin board.

The characters were introduced in October at the Florida Association of ScienceTeachers (FAST) conference in Orlando. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

CERP Screensavers Available in December

Continued On Page 2

About CERP

Did you know that the FloridaEverglades was once a vibrant, free-

flowing river of grass that provided cleanwater from Lake Okeechobee to FloridaBay? Today, this extraordinary ecosystemis dying. Over the past half-century, thehealth and size of the Everglades havesteadily declined. Severely impacted bydrainage and development, theEverglades is suffering from a criticalshortage of clean, reliable water sources.

To restore and preserve south Florida'snatural environment, enhance watersupplies, and maintain flood protection,the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inpartnership with the South Florida WaterManagement District and numerous otherfederal, state, local and tribal partners,has developed a plan to save the Everglades.

The Comprehensive EvergladesRestoration Plan (CERP) includes a seriesof ecological and water systemimprovements. During the next 30 years,the Corps, the District, and theirsponsoring partners will restore waterquality, quantity, timing, and distributionin what is being referred to as "thelargest environmental restoration projectin history."

To find out more about Evergladesrestoration, visit our official website atwww.evergladesplan.org.

Jackson

villeDist

rict

Wayne Drop and

Largemouth

Bass

Jacksonville D

istrict

Florida Panther Cub

www.evergladesplan.org • 1-877-CERP-USA

November/December 2007

Let’s Meet and Greet

Please join the CERPOutreach Team inwelcoming Elizabeth“Beth” Myers, Deputy

for Small Business. Ifyou are interested in

learning about the business opportunitieswith the Corps, please contact Ms. Myersat 904-232-1150. Interested persons canalso reach Ms. Myers via email [email protected].

To learn about business opportunitieswith the South Florida Water ManagementDistrict, please contact the ProcurementHotline at 1-800-472-5290.

To request a presentation for a group ororganization, please contact Erica Robbinsat 561-472-8893 or Bernadette Morris at305-948-8063, ext. 201.

People interested in learning about theComprehensive Everglades RestorationPlan can leave their name and mailingaddress on the toll-free line at 1-877-CERP-USA.

Out and About

Be sure to meet up with the CERPOutreach Team at one of these keyevents throughout the south Floridacommunity or visitwww.evergladesplan.org for additionalinformation on public meetings:

Kwanzaa FestAfrican-American Research LibraryFort LauderdaleDecember 26

CERP Report is an unofficial publication authorized under theprovisions of AR 360-1 and published by the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers, Jacksonville District, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL32232-0019. Telephone 904-232-2234; fax 904-232-2237.

Comments regarding this report are encouraged and may be sentto [email protected].

Environmental Moments

Dance students explore the CERP Kiosk at the John F. KennedyLibrary in Hialeah during Hispanic Heritage Month.

After six years and 42 issues, CERP Report is biddingadieu with this final issue in November-December

2007. The newsletter will be replaced immediately with anew electronic publication, to focus more on CERP news,information and updates. The debut issue will bedistributed to CERP Report readers in January 2008. The upcoming newsletter will feature the same livelyformat, content and photos – only with more news and

information about Everglades restoration projects, itsprogress, and other efforts to restore south Florida’secosystem. Outreach activities – the focus of CERP Report– will still be included.

For now, we hope you enjoy this final issue. Please watchyour e-mail inbox for a new look and newsletter coming soon!

Erica Robbins, Corps of Engineers outreach specialist, speaks to K through7th 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 theCorps’ Everglades education curriculum at the Florida Association ofScience Teachers (FAST) conference from Oct. 25 to 27.

Students at the 5th Annual South Dade E-Fair & Festival at MiamiMetro Zoo in September learn about environmental protection

programs, including that of the Everglades.

CERP Report: New Look and Newsletter Coming Soon

School Year Opens with New Online Everglades Education Resources and Outreach Continued From Page 1

Jacksonville District participated in the annual statewide conference to provideinformation to educators on its elementary education program about the Everglades.The characters – totaling 11 in three sets – also complement lesson plans taughtwith The Journey of Wayne Drop to the Everglades storybook, associatedcoloring 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, visithttp://www.evergladesplan.org/education/educ_resources.aspx#bbJackso

nville District

American Crocodile

South Florida’s beauty lies in the diversity of its natural environment and

residents. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and South Florida

Water Management District (SFWMD) embrace this diversity as they take

on the challenge of restoring the Everglades and developing effective outreach

programs to inform, involve and engage minority communities.

Haitian-American outreach and involvement is important to the Corps

and SFWMD. The outreach team is committed to developing creative and

culturally sensitive programs to reach the south Florida Haitian community.

Haiti’s motto, “L’union Fait La Force,” which means “Unity Is Strength,”

describes the significance of engaging the Haitian community and working in

unity to strengthen efforts to protect the Everglades. The grassroots initiatives to spread the word about CERP

are presented in Creole to more effectively engage Haitian Americans. They include:

• Broadcasting “CERP 101” radio programs in partnership with

WSWN-Sugar 900, to reach Haitian residents of West Palm Beach;

• Joining the community to celebrate activities, including year-round Haitian

bicentennial celebration events and Flag Day on May 18; and

• Developing a creative collection of outreach materials about CERP. Among

them is a Haitian bicentennial calendar recognizing John James Audubon,

the renowned wildlife artist from Haiti.

For more information, please contact Joseph Jean-Baptiste at 305-377-7274, ext. 7291, or

Bernadette Morris at 305-948-8063, ext. 201.

A bimonthly newsletter on

community outreach initiatives of

the Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan by the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers in partnership

with the South Florida Water

Management District

May/June 2004

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District

Appointments Announced for Corps of

Engineers’ Outreach and Small Business

“CERP-IN” Kiosk Debuts in

Miami-Dade County

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.

Welcome to

CERP Report

An interactive kiosk

highlighting Everglades

restoration made its debut on

Earth Day at the Aventura Mall in

Miami-Dade County. Using a touch-

screen, viewers can navigate

among presentations and learn

about the many aspects of restoring

and protecting the Everglades.

“The kiosk allows us to reach

new audiences,” said Nanciann

Regalado, chief of corporate

communications for the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers Jacksonville

District, which partnered with the

SFWMD to produce it. “Eventually,

similar kiosks will be located in

malls, airports, libraries, parks and

other public places where people

have a few minutes to stop and

learn about the Comprehensive

Everglades Restoration Plan.”

Visit the CERP Information

Network (CERP-IN) Kiosk, which

will be located at the Aventura Mall

until May 31.

Col. Robert Carpenter,

commander of the

Jacksonville District of

the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, has

made an

unprecedented

series of bold

new moves in

his leadership

unit. Among

them, the Colonel elevated the

roles of two women within

the District.

In January, Col. Carpenter

appointed

Nanciann

Regalado

as chief of

the Corps’

newly-

created

Corporate Communications

Office (CCO). Under the CCO,

the public outreach and public

affairs teams have been

united to form one branch

within the overall

organization. The CCO

coordinates public affairs and

public outreach activities

across the Jacksonville

District, which covers Florida,

Puerto Rico and the U.S.

Virgin Islands.

Ms. Regalado joined the

Corps in 1998, where she

created and implemented a

successful strategy for

informing and involving the

public in the “Restudy,” the

process through which the

Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan was

developed.

Prior to joining the

Jacksonville District, Ms.

Regalado served as deputy

director and policy director for

the National Audubon Society

Everglades Restoration

Campaign. She has a

Bachelor of Science in

Biology; a Master of Science

in Biology; and a Master of

Public Administration, all from

Florida Atlantic University. A

native of Washington, D.C.,

Ms. Regalado moved to

Florida in 1982.

Printed on recycled paper

continued on page 2

Nanciann Regalado

Col. Robert Carpenter

CERP in Creole! Engaging Haitian-Americans

CERP 2006 Report to Public Now Available

About CERP

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.

www.evergladesplan.org • 1-877-CERP-USA

January/February 2007

U.S. Army Corps Makes Black History with

“Livin’ with the Waters” Comic

The first of a series of annual reports to the public about

the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is

now available. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

Jacksonville District and the South Florida Water

Management District released the annual report this past

December, which covers progress on the plan through

February 2006.

The colorful, user-friendly booklet describes the

Everglades restoration plan, projects under way, estimated

costs, the project planning process, and provides other

valuable information.

Much progress has been made since Congress

approved the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in

2000. Planning has been completed for seven individual

projects and is under way for another 20 in the 16-county

region. The report also covers efforts of the state of Florida’s

Acceler8 program to speed up construction of eight key

CERP projects.

Copies of the six-page report are available online and

can be downloaded at www.evergladesplan.org. The report

can be found in the scrolling “CERP News” section on the

right side of the website.

There’s an old adage that

says “laughter is the best

medicine.” And many of us have

filled our rooms with joy and

laughter after reading comic

strips such as “Curtis” and

“Boondocks.” They not only lift

our spirits, but they are funny,

enlightening and even

educational. In keeping up with

this upbeat tradition, the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers has

developed a creative and innovative

way to convey messages about the

Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan using similar

principles.

Continued on Page 2

Welcome to CERP Report

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.

The Journey to Restore

America’s Everglades

A partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

South Florida Water Management District and many

other federal, state, local and tribal partners.

A newsletter on community outreach initiatives for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District

Environmental Leaders Pave Way for Everglades Restoration

About CERP

D id you know that the FloridaEverglades 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.

www.evergladesplan.org • 1-877-CERP-USA

March/April 2007

Celebrating the Everglades for Earth Day 2007!

Welcome to CERP ReportI n 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.

The Journey to RestoreAmerica’s Everglades

A partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

South Florida Water Management District and many

other federal, state, local and tribal partners.

A newsletter on community outreach initiatives for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District

E very April, millions of people from around the world

observe Earth Day. Events and activities are held

throughout the month to raise awareness of the Earth’s

natural resources and how to protect them. And in south

Florida, with the nation’s largest environmental

restoration under way, there are many efforts planned for

the Everglades, too.The CCoommpprreehheennssiivvee EEvveerrggllaaddeess RReessttoorraattiioonn PPllaann

((CCEERRPP)) will restore America’s Everglades and its

associated lakes, rivers and bays in the 16-county south

Florida region. The UU..SS.. AArrmmyy CCoorrppss ooff EEnnggiinneeeerrss is

leading the way, in partnership with the SSoouutthh FFlloorriiddaa

WWaatteerr MMaannaaggeemmeenntt DDiissttrriicctt, and many other federal,

state, local and tribal partners.Throughout south Florida and the nation, there are

different ways to get involved in Everglades restoration.

These include attending a public meeting to plan projects,

encouraging students to learn through environmental

education materials, visiting or volunteering at an

Everglades park or refuge, getting involved in the

Everglades restoration plan as a business or contractor,

and logging onto the official Everglades website to keep

up to date on the latest activities.In observance of EEaarrtthh DDaayy 22000077, the Corps of

Engineers is introducing new outreach products for

children and adults to highlight the value of restoring

America’s Everglades.For children, a new coloring book will be introduced

about the Everglades ecosystem. TThhee JJoouurrnneeyy ooff WWaayynnee

DDrroopp ttoo tthhee EEvveerrggllaaddeess is a storybook and lesson plan for

elementary students available in English, Spanish and

Creole. It was first distributed to schools in 2005. This

spring, a companion coloring book will be available

online and in a limited number of print copies.

For Everglades enthusiasts of all ages, a challenging

new game called ““NNaammee tthhaatt CCEERRPP SSoouunndd”” will be

released. Short recordings of the sounds of Everglades

E ach March, the contributions of women to the history

and culture of the United States are recognized in

WWoommeenn’’ss HHiissttoorryy MMoonntthh. Proclaimed by CCoonnggrreessss, the

month raises awareness of the vast contributions of

women in all areas of endeavor throughout the nation.

Women have contributed greatly to the environmental

movement in the past and continue to do so today.

In the past, women have helped pave the way

through volunteer efforts, education, employment at

regulatory and natural resources protection agencies,

writing, and in many other roles. MMaarrjjoorryy SSttoonneemmaann

DDoouuggllaass wrote TThhee EEvveerrggllaaddeess:: RRiivveerr ooff GGrraassss, originally

published in 1947. Her crusade to protect the Everglades

and raise awareness about this unique natural treasure

continued until her death at the age of 108.

Today, women fill many key roles in the protection of

the Earth’s natural resources and the implementation of the

CCoommpprreehheennssiivvee EEvveerrggllaaddeess RReessttoorraattiioonn PPllaann ((CCEERRPP)).

Women are working throughout Florida and the nation as

legislators and environmental advocates to ensure

legislation is developed and enacted to protect the

Everglades, water, and natural resources.

Continued on Page 2

Continued on Page 2

July 2003

Restoring Biscayne Bay

w w w. e v e r g l a d e s p l a n . o r g

I n this edition, we willprovide you with the

latest news and information

about the Comprehensive

Everglades Restoration

Plan (CERP) and ourcommunity outreach efforts

throughout south Florida.As you read through this

issue, you'll 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.

Welcome toCERP Report

D uring the Memorial Day weekend, Comprehensive

Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) outreach team

members participated for the second time in a fishing

tournament sponsored by SAFER (South Florida

Anglers For Everglades Restoration).

SAFER is a stakeholder group

representing more than 30 bass

fishing clubs from throughout

south Florida, whose members

are concerned about the effects of

CERP projects on recreational

fishing. The tournament drew 81 boat

entries with approximately 200 people, who enjoyed

a day of fishing at Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale,

located at the eastern edge of Everglades National Park.

The Corps and the District recognize the importance of

the abundant recreational opportunities provided by our south

Florida environment. That is why CERP includes a Master

Recreation Plan. This recreation plan will take a

system-wide approach to identify,evaluate, and address the impacts

of CERP implementation onexisting recreational uses

within the south Floridaecosystem. It will also identify

and evaluate potential new

recreation, public use, and public

educational opportunities. Information about the

Master Recreation Plan can be found on our website at

www.evergladesplan.org.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District

W ith its freshwater springs, rich

fisheries, and oyster beds, Biscayne

Bay was a beckoning harbor for

16th century Europeans who explored the

coasts of the New World. Although much has

changed since the early days of exploration

along Florida’s coasts, today the bay remains

an internationally recognized resource.

Relying on water that flows directly

from the Everglades, Biscayne Bay is part of

a large south Florida ecosystem in need of

restoration. The restoration of Biscayne Bay

and the 284-square-mile Biscayne National

Park, located in Miami-Dade County along

Florida’s southeastern tip, is included as a

part of the Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan (CERP). The Biscayne Bay

Coastal Wetlands project will restore the

health of the bay by reconnecting natural

wetlands within the bay, and by restoring

the historic overland water flows that were

lost through drainage and other practices

related to development.To learn more about plans to protect

Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park,

please visit our website atwww.evergladesplan.org, and attend the

upcoming public workshop to be held this

summer, sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers and South Florida Water

Management District.

Keeping Recreation in Mind

A newsletter on community outreach initiatives for the

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District

July/August 2006

E nvironmental awareness is

an important first step to

taking responsibility for

our limited and valuable

natural resources. There are

many ways to learn about our

ecosystem including through

school programs or participating

in a local clean-up or tree

planting project.

Learning can happen

(or take place) in non-

traditional ways, too! That’s

exactly what the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers and the South Florida

Water Management District are

counting on. These agencies – and others

in south Florida – are placing interactive

computer kiosks throughout the 16-county

CERP region to teach children, students

and adults about Everglades restoration in

a fun and creative way. The kiosks are

designed to bring the CERP message to the public, serving

as an information tool that provides an overview of the

Everglades restoration plan and how this $10.5 billion effort

will restore America’s River of Grass and south Florida’s

ecosystem.

The kiosks explain the Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan (CERP) in easy-to-understand concepts for

the general public. “CERP kiosks are being placed in

shopping malls, libraries, museums, schools, offices,and

nature centers throughout south Florida and even at the

Pentagon in Washington, D.C.,” reports Nanciann

Regalado, chief of corporate communication for the Corps’

Jacksonville District.

One CERP kiosk will be placed at the Arthur R. Marshall

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in western Palm

Beach County. The Refuge contains remaining Everglades’

freshwater wetlands and is visited by 300,000 people each

year. Another kiosk will be placed at the Corps’ South

Florida Operations Office, located in Clewiston along Lake

Okeechobee. The lake has been referred to as the liquid

heart of the Everglades and is the second-largest freshwater

lake entirely within the continental United States.

Regional service centers of the South Florida Water

Management District will soon be introducing new CERP

kiosks in their communities. Other CERP kiosks have been

rotated for temporary stays at various locations including

the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale

and Palm Beach Community College in Belle Glade.

Recognizing the educational value of the kiosks, other

agencies and organizations including the Loxahatchee River

District in Jupiter and Florida Oceanographic Coastal

Center in Stuart have purchased CERP kiosks for their own

use. The Corps, which developed and updates the program

– including an upcoming Spanish translation – furnishes

the software at no additional cost.

T he Journey of Wayne Drop

to the Everglades, which

explains the Everglades

ecosystem in plain English, will

soon be available in Spanish

and Creole. The Wayne Drop

story follows a drop of

water named Wayne as he

rides through theKissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem

having fun andlearning lessons

along the way.Friendly characters, colorful

illustrations, youthful language,

photographs, mapsand games help young

students appreciateand understand thisfragile ecosystem.The story touches onimportant conceptsincluding thewater cycle,wetland habitats,

endangered species, water

resources and waterconservation, and introduces

the agencies responsible for

their protection.Spanish speakers will read El Viaje

De Wayne Gota a los Everglades and

Creole speakers will read Vwayaj

Wayne Drop nan Everglades la. The

Spanish version is now online at

www.evergladesplan.org, and the

Creole version will be added later this

summer. All versions of the storybook,

as well as the companion teacher’s

guide and lesson plans, were

developed through the combined

efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, Everglades National Park,

the South Florida Water Management

District, and classroom teachers.In all three languages, the goal is

to use Wayne’s story to reach people

across the country to include everyone

in CERP!

www.evergladesplan.org • 1-877-CERP-USA

Welcome to CERP Report

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.CERP Kiosks Become Widely Available in South Florida

Wayne Drop Goes Multilingual