NPS Photo by Rodney Cammauf
The effort to save the endangered Florida panther from extinction has been a success so far.
Brooke, 4th Grade
Jack D. Gordon Elementary
"CAW, CAW' is what I hear while riding a tram with my fourth grade class and spectacular tour guides. I enjoy visiting the Everglades because it is a special place to me.
To begin with, the Everglades is special because it is the home to a plethora of amazing animals, which include the Florida panther, the American alligator, the great blue heron, and the wonderful wood stork. Obviously this is just the beginning of an extremely lengthy list. Additionally, I adore the fact that the Everglades is open to the public, giving people of all ages and from all over the globe the opportunity to visit and learn about the types of endangered species that without the Everglades would become extinct. Lastly, I love the historic park because the rangers guide the visitors for an up close view of the wildlife; alligators, anhingas, wood storks, great blue herons, and other creatures.
Furthermore, the Everglades is special to me because it is an extremely educational natural habitat. Last week, I learned a myriad of facts on our trip to Shark Valley. I learned that between the months of December and May the rainfall is significantly less and when Lake Okeechobee receives too much rain it overflows into the Everglades. Additionally, the Everglades acts like a sponge and continuously collects water that is used in our everyday lives with the surplus flowing into Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Also, I learned about the extremely important... FOOD CHAIN. Without the mosquitoes, fish and frogs perish. Then, with the fish and frog supply gone the birds and the raccoons will suffer. And last to suffer would be the alligators that are at the top of the food chain.
Moreover, the Everglades is one of a kind because it reminds people that the animals are endangered and we are the only ones that can help save/protect them. The Florida panther, nor any other animal, can walk up to President Obama and say "Please help protect the Everglades so I do not die out." The animals that make the Everglades their home need our help to survive and avoid extinction.
In conclusion, the Everglades is special to me because it is the home to so many amazing animals, it is educational, and plays a vital role in avoiding extinction of the many important plants and animals in our environment. If only everyone thought of the Everglades the way I do there would be more protection programs occurring throughout the United States to save all types of species.
