Did you know that Everglades National Park in Florida is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States? The park is home to many rare and endangered species, such as the manatee and Florida panther, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Importance. Just over 60 years ago, the Everglades were thought to be of little value. However, in 1947 Marjory Stoneman Douglas wrote The Everglades: River of Grass. The book drew national attention and 1.5 million acres (less than 20 percent of the Everglades) became established as Everglades National Park.
One of the best ways to explore the Everglades is to do so riding aboard an air-boat, like our travelers do on our Florida class trip. Their flat-bottomed design makes it easy for air-boats to navigate through shallow swamps, marshes, canals, rivers and lakes. The seats are also elevated so that passengers can see over the tall grass and vegetation. Once you begin traveling down the river you can see alligators, flamingos and other varieties of wildlife. You might also catch a glimpse of a manatee or dolphin!
Photo by Rodney Cammauf
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