As an organization founded by concerned Key’s citizens who could not bear the devastation of massive algal blooms, fish kills and seagrass die-offs experienced in the Florida Bay, we find ourselves preparing for another devastating year at Florida Bay Forever. In 2016, Floridians along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts suffered what was called “The Lost Summer” due to the polluted waters of Lake Okeechobee being discharged directly into coastal waters. The state of Florida potentially faces another difficult summer of massive red tides with confirmed toxic algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee and water levels alarmingly 1.25 feet higher than average.
Our advocacy efforts are more important than ever. While our past achievements have yielded great progress in gaining support from the Army Corps of Engineers and federal funding for Everglades Restoration, we still encounter continuous traction on our progress every year. To prevent future large-scale water quality decline, we must secure the necessary appropriations for the extensive restoration work already underway. We can’t afford any more delays. We ask for our community to persevere in its support and maintain the momentum in restoring the Everglades so that we do not have to endure lost summers any longer. Please support our progress by signing on to our campaign to Send It South.