Tallahassee, Fla. – The Everglades Trust (Trust) today released the following statement, attributed to its CEO Anna Upton, regarding the Florida Legislature crafting and passing a budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that has $638 million for Everglades restoration, including the funding needed to complete the district’s portion of the EAA Reservoir, the ‘Crown Jewel’ of Everglades restoration.
“Governor Ron DeSantis has been a true champion for Everglades restoration, and we sincerely appreciate the Florida Legislature understanding how vital Everglades restoration is to our state and Floridians and passing a state budget that includes $638 million for protecting and restoring the Everglades.
“Thank you to our state leaders – especially Senate President Ben Albritton along with House Speaker Daniel Perez – and our appropriations chairs in the Senate and House for a budget that will continue to accelerate the process to create a healthy and restored Everglades. A restored Everglades means less harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, more clean water for Floridians, and a more natural flow of water south through the Everglades and all the way to Florida Bay, all of which contribute to and support a strong and thriving state economy.
“Floridians can be proud of the budget passed by the legislature. It’s a budget that continues to push forward Everglades restoration, funding the most important project of restoration, and works to preserve one of the most cherished parts of our state, America’s Everglades.”
For more information on the Trust, visit evergladestrust.org and follow @evtrust on Twitter.
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