National Park Advocates Applaud New Miami-Dade County Proposal to Protect Wetlands

NAPLES, Fla. – Late last week, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava outlined a plan to transfer more than 17,000 acres of county land, including land used for the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz,” immigrant detention center, to the National Park Service.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is strongly supportive of Mayor Levine Cava’s plan, which outlines solid pathways for permanently protecting this important conservation landscape for Big Cypress National Preserve and America’s Everglades ecosystem.

This announcement follows recent headlines regarding the closure of Alligator Alcatraz, an inhumane, environmentally unsound facility that faced fierce opposition from the National Parks Conservation Association, fellow conservationists, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. The damage to the sensitive ecosystem made by paving wetlands and causing other adverse environmental impacts from the facility must be fully assessed, remediated, and restored.

Statement by Marisa Carrozzo, National Parks Conservation Association Sun Coast Senior Program Manager:

“For decades, park advocates have rallied together to protect Big Cypress National Preserve, a wild landscape that is part of the fabric of Florida. Securing these thousands of acres of critical ecosystems for long-term protection within Big Cypress National Preserve is a once-in-a-generation conservation opportunity.”

“The preserve’s lands and waters are the homelands of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and Seminole Tribe of Florida and hold immense cultural and community significance. The diverse habitats of Big Cypress are home to some of Florida’s favorite unique species, including the endangered Florida panther and the elusive ghost orchid.

“Miami-Dade County has long been a valued partner in bipartisan efforts to restore America’s Everglades and ensure the flow of fresh, clean water for our parks and communities. Since the 1960s, it has been the position of the National Parks Conservation Association that the land around the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport is crucial to the restoration and protection of the Greater Everglades ecosystem.

“We applaud Mayor Levine Cava’s efforts to ensure greater protection for this pivotal piece of the Greater Everglades ecosystem. We urge the Board of County Commissioners to support this bold vision for our communities and the beautiful, wild Everglades we know and love.

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.