The boundaries of Everglades National Park protect only the southern one-fifth of the historic Everglades ecosystem. In its entirety, this massive watershed boasts a multitude of habitats that provide a subtropical refuge to a unique assemblage of wildlife.  

With the passage of time and the growth of human population centers in south Florida, the park serves a new role-- serving as a touchstone against which to guage the impacts of man on the natural world. Scientific study is the key to better understanding, and managing, the resources entrusted to our care and protection.