Florida recently received encouraging news about area water and land restoration. On August 11, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $100 million in financial assistance to acquire permanent easements from eligible landowners in four counties and assist with wetlands restoration on nearly 24,000 acres of agricultural land in the Northern Everglades Watershed.

Senator Bill Nelson, who met with cabinet officers last spring to ask for such action, says, “The announcement is another signal that the administration is fully behind restoration of the River of Grass.” He adds that the action also supports Florida’s ranching heritage and builds on the conservation easements at Fisheating Creek, acquired last year, and the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area.

For more info, visit usda.gov or email [email protected].