Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Restoration Project
Map of the Biscayne Bay Wetlands Restoration Project- Photo from Miami Herald
As a part of Earth Month, Vissa Journal would like to highlight an amazing example of community leadership that is saving our Earth by protecting the wetlands here in Miami. The Biscayne Bay Wetlands Restoration Project is a 20-year project that aims to restore the Everglades wetlands here in South Florida. On March 21st, they broke ground on the project in Blackpoint Marina, Cutler Bay as a part of the final “Cutler Wetlands” component of the project. As explained by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the project will help protect South Florida from saltwater pushing west, strengthen the coast to protect against sea level rise and restore wetland ecosystems. The project cost was about $369 million and surged as a result of the cooperation of representatives for Miami-Dade County, the South Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
To fully comprehend the importance of the wetlands, we must understand the role they play within the ecosystem here in South Florida and be aware of all the benefits we reap from them. The wetlands help filter the water that passes through them, therefore the increasing threat of saltwater intrusion proves to be a problem considering we get a large amount of our freshwater from these wetlands. The beautiful mangroves that are a staple of the South Florida landscape are not only home to several different organisms but also help protect our coasts seeing as they prevent erosion and absorb storm surge impacts. Additionally, wetlands are home to a variety of organisms that are endemic to this vulnerable ecosystem; some living in the brackish water that is so unique to this area. These are just some of the functions the wetlands play but there are many more including supporting Florida’s billion-dollar fishing industry and being a great source of tourism.
Understanding the importance of this ecosystem, we can see how projects such as The Biscayne Bay Wetlands Restoration Project are so essential to ensuring that the wetlands are preserved for generations to come. While it’s a great example of local government taking action to fix the problems we face, many other local organizations are trying to tackle this issue. Friends of the Everglades, Everglades Coalition, and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida all work to ensure the conservation and preservation of the wetland ecosystems here in South Florida. This Earth Month we encourage you not only to raise awareness and become educated on these issues but also to participate within your community and be a beacon of change.
Photo from Miami Herald