Sun Coast
 The Sun Coast office oversees unique national park units that contain vast numbers of tropical marine and terrestrial treasures. These parks form the backbone of the Sun Coast's tourist economy, and play critical roles in storing and filtering water and providing breeding and nursery areas for a huge array of wildlife.
Scoping Comments for the Northeast Shark River Slough Restoration Project
On June 25, NPCA in partnership with the Everglades Foundation, Audubon of Florida, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and several other environmental groups filed a joint comment letter with the National Park Service (NPS) calling for additional bridging along the Tamiami Trail to benefit Everglades restoration.
Read the letter (PDF) >
An Executive Call to Action to Restore America's Everglades
This white paper, supported by 41 environmental groups including NPCA, was recently delivered to the Obama Administration and has sparked important dialogue about how to advance successful Everglades restoration.
Read the white paper (PDF) >
24th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference Video
NPCA hosted and co-chaired the 24th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference, the largest annual forum for Everglades conservation and restoration. Click here to view video of the event >>
Redeveloping Flamingo in Everglades National Park
In 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Wilma devastated the area known as Flamingo in Everglades National Park. All existing structures, including the visitor center, lodge, restaurant, and cabins were severely damaged or destroyed. Read more about NPCA's vision to rebuild this American treasure >> 
- Big Cypress National Preserve adjoins the Everglades, making this important watershed a vital wetlands area that supports migratory birds, the endangered Florida panther, the rare Florida black bear, and many other species.
- Biscayne National Park contains a rich, shallow bay with a chain of coral keys and living coral reefs.
- Dry Tortugas National Park, a cluster of coral reefs and sand islands nearly 70 miles west of Key West, is home to the largest 19th-century brick fort in the Western Hemisphere and many submerged historic shipwrecks.
- Everglades National Park, known as the "river of grass," is the largest wetland ecosystem of North America.
- Virgin Islands National Park covers two-thirds of the island of St. John. Its crystal waters teem with marine life surrounding the park's coral reefs.
See a list of national parks in the Sun Coast region >>
THREATS:
- Off-road vehicle use within the region's parks has caused serious damage to the fragile ecosystems they support.
- Pollution, particularly mercury, is extremely high in Everglades National Park.
- Funding remains a significant threat facing these parks.
- Development is greatly increasing in areas surrounding Sun Coast parks.
- Damage to coral reefs in the region is occurring at an alarming rate.
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