Spring 2005
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District
Moving Forward
oving forward requires commitment, dedication, and persistence. It requires a keen sense of understanding where you’ve been to get to where you want to go. Well, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers understands Everglades restoration and what needs to be done to make sure it is reestablished and restored to its once glorious state. That’s why the Corps is kicking into high gear, and moving forward with new initiatives, projects, and programs. From assisting in the planning of Florida’s First National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, that was held near Orlando, to picking up the pace of Everglades restoration by completing eight key projects 10 years ahead of schedule, the Corps is moving forward like never before.
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Women Impacting the Everglades
here are many women throughout the nation who are the epitome of strength, courage, wisdom, and endurance. They know how to make a difference and they are committed to doing so. These compassionate women are simply known as “Women of Impact.” In Everglades restoration, there are numerous women of impact who have become champions of restoring the Everglades to its once glorious state. As the chief of the corporate communications office for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Nanciann Regalado heads a dedicated team that is building a bridge to convey the message of restoring the Everglades. Nanciann strives to create Nanciann Regalado good relations inside and outside of the Corps everywhere, everyday. She is not only a leader in developing partnerships for progress, but in reaching out to the public and promoting environmentally sustainable growth. Pamela Brooks-Thomas is another woman of impact, as a governing board member of the South Florida Water Management District. She oversees the agency responsible for protecting Pamela Brooks-Thomas the precious fresh water resources throughout 16 counties of south Florida. The agency is a partner with the federal government in implementing the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). She is dedicated to including as many people as possible in the opportunities that
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With every twist and turn, the Corps is reaching out to the community and developing products that are sleek and unique. In fact, the Corps is moving forward by placing the CERP kiosk throughout south Florida and the nation in an effort to show people the journey through Everglades restoration. A national spotlight was placed on the kiosk at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration as well as the Everglades Coalition Conference, held in Naples, Florida. The Corps is also moving forward with The Journey of Wayne Drop as he drops by elementary schools throughout Florida to educate and enlighten our youth.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is committed to making a difference in Everglades restoration,” says Nanciann Regalado, corporate communications chief. “We’re doing everything we can to move forward with new projects and programs to increase awareness of this important issue and encourage people to get involved.”
In all aspects, the Corps is on a journey to move forward with determination, creativity, and indescribable energy. If this past year is any indication of what’s in store from the Corps, we’re in for a lot of excitement in the years ahead. It’s all about moving onward with the journey of a lifetime!
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Inside this Issue:
Moving Forward Women Impacting the Everglades Everglades Restoration Speeds Up Minority Outreach in Action: Screensavers Help Promote Key Messages
Florida Hosts First National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration Moving Forward with The Journey of Wayne Drop Just For Fun
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Everglades Restoration Speeds Up
he state of Florida is picking up the pace of Everglades restoration by completing eight key efforts 10 years ahead of schedule. Called “Acceler8,” it will provide earlier restoration benefits, save money, and create associated jobs and contracts sooner. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is a joint federal-state partnership. It will restore south Florida’s ecosystem that covers 16 counties, cost $7.8 billion, and take 30 years to complete. The main goal of CERP is to capture 1.7 billion gallons of fresh water that is now sent to sea each day, and store, treat, and release this water to the natural systems. It will also meet south Florida’s future urban and agricultural water supply needs and provide improved flood protection. Acceler8 will expedite eight key efforts of the Everglades Restoration Plan. Florida is able to do this by borrowing money through Certificates of Participation revenue bonding. Money will be used to fund, design and construct key projects. Land, construction and labor costs are purchased at today’s prices. “Sound environmental and financial management is putting Everglades restoration ahead of schedule at considerable savings,” said Henry Dean, executive director of the South Florida Water Management
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District. “We are delivering environmental results faster and making water available for nature quicker than originally planned.” The projects include reservoirs and treatment areas. When finished, they will provide approximately 50 percent of the needed surface water storage components for CERP. The environmental benefits of Acceler8 include earlier improvements to the estuaries, Lake Okeechobee, and the Everglades. These projects will also provide additional flood control and water supply options, along with the potential for recreational opportunities. Special efforts are being made to ensure that a wide variety of vendors and contractors will be utilized. Partnerships are under way with local workforce development organizations to prepare and train area workers with needed job skills. The federal government supports Acceler8. “It will help us in our joint efforts to restore the Everglades faster and more efficiently and effectively,” said James L. Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Our federal agencies will not only be able to help the state achieve dramatic results on a faster pace for these projects, but Acceler8 will free up resources to allow the Administration to focus on completing other critical CERP projects.” The South Florida Water Management District is overseeing Acceler8. For additional information, visit www.evergladesnow.org.
Partners for Progress:
Corps and District Working Hand in Hand
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he Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan is a framework and guide for restoring, protecting and preserving the water resources of central and southern Florida. The Plan is the world's largest ecosystem restoration effort and includes more than 50 major project components.
To successfully accomplish this 30-year effort, the federal and the state governments - the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District - have joined in a unique partnership that shares equally the financing and implementing responsibilities.
Minority Outreach in Action: Screensavers Help Promote Key Messages
he U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped commemorate two key events in the Black community with moving messages and products. In recognition of Kwanzaa, the Corps and its Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Outreach Team developed a screensaver that reflects the connection of the Kwanzaa principles of life and the ecosystem that surrounds south Florida. The Kwanzaa screensaver featured the seven principles of Kwanzaa, along with the visual components of CERP that relate to these principles. The Corps also created the Environmental Essence campaign in celebration of Black History Month. This screensaver features key messages that focus on the value of a healthy ecosystem as a part of the fabric of our lives and of the Black culture. “Our goal was to develop a useful tool to demonstrate the elements of Kwanzaa and Black
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History Month as they relate to the key environmental messages of the ecosystem restoration efforts we are doing right here in our communities,” says Nanciann Regalado, chief of corporate communications for the Corps. “The screensavers are simple and highly effective ways of conveying both of these messages at the same time.” The Environmental Essence campaign featured key public service messages published in Black newspapers. The messages highlighted some of the Corps’ minority leaders involved in CERP. In addition, a limited number of CDs were provided during various Kwanzaa and Black History Month events throughout south Florida from December 2004 through February 2005.
R ANDY E DNEY
Obtaining contrac ts for small business is the name of the game for Randy Edney, the Assistant Deputy for Small Busines s for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jackson ville District. Randy works diligent ly to ensure that minority businesses are given opportunities to increase their chance of involvement with the Comprehensive Everglades Restora tion Plan (CERP) and other Corps’ projects .
K IM B ROOKS -H ALL
Pulling a team together to achieve a winning goal is the priority of Kim Brooks-Hall, a pioneer in leading Regional Project Delivery Teams for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District.
Throughout Black History Month, we salute Randy Edney as a leader of the pack. Randy is one of numero us members of the CERP team who’s making great strides to implement the world’s largest environmental restoration plan. Their pioneering efforts today will be recognized 50 years from now, as future generat ions enjoy the benefits of a revitalized Evergla des.
To learn more about the environm initiatives and Kim constantly directs new ental essence of CERP, projects please log onto www.evergladespl for the south region as part of the an.org. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). It gets the essence of her attention!
Throughout Black History Month, we salute Kim Brooks-Hall as a leader of the pack. Kim is one of numerous members of the CERP team who’s making great strides to implement the world’s largest environmental restoration plan. Their pioneering efforts today will be recognized 50 years from now, as future generations enjoy the benefits of a revitalized Everglades.
To learn more about the environmental essence of CERP, please log onto www.evergladesplan.org.
Community Outreach In Action
Spring 2005
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About the Corps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, specializes in the planning, engineering, construction and management of large infrastructure projects in Florida and the Caribbean. The Corps’ mission includes flood control and water management; navigation; shore protection and restoration; environmental restoration; hazardous, toxic and radioactive remediation; military support and emergency support. The Army Corps of Engineers built the Central and South Florida Flood Control Project 50 years ago at the state of Florida’s request and with the authorization of the United States Congress. The Corps has a South Florida Restoration Program Office located at 1400 Centrepark Boulevard, Suite 750, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Florida Hosts First National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration
ne of the fastest growing areas of public policy is the restoration of large ecosystems – a relatively new science. To start a dialogue on the science of largescale ecosystem restoration, Florida was host state to the first countrywide event on the topic. The National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration was held Dec. 6-10, 2004 near Orlando and drew more than 800 participants from around the United States, plus some international visitors. Four days of non-stop general sessions and panel discussions focused on a wide range of topics related to the planning, policy and science of large-scale ecosystem restoration. Florida was selected for this first-time event, in part, because the world’s largest environmental
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restoration is occurring right here: that of the Everglades. Daniel J. Hayes, co-chairman, said the conference surpassed all expectations. “It was truly memorable and will serve as a springboard for a continued dialogue about sustainable restoration on a national level,” he said. Hayes is an employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, one of several major sponsors. The agency is working in partnership with local governments to protect and restore treasured ecosystems across the United States, including the Everglades.
Moving Forward With The Journey of Wayne Drop
any south Floridians will be introduced to Wayne Drop this year, as he travels to elementary schools throughout the region’s 16 counties. Who is Wayne Drop, you ask? He’s a funloving cartoon water drop character, who is joined by several friends, as they journey through the Florida Everglades. Wayne Drop is the subject of The Journey of Wayne Drop, an appropriately titled, illustrated booklet for elementary-level school children. Alongside The Journey of Wayne Drop, educators will use a Teacher’s Guide to relate Wayne’s adventures to environmental lessons. The Journey of Wayne Drop starts out with Wayne and his classmates preparing for the FSPLAT, a fictional test of Everglades knowledge, based on the real-life FCAT exams. As Wayne discusses the FSPLAT with his teacher, he relates his personal beginning as water vapor as part of a cloud, then eventually falls as a raindrop into Turkey Lake, near Orlando. He then floats south through the Kissimmee River and experiences evaporation back into the atmosphere. As students read Wayne’s narration, they learn about the nature of clouds, the definitions of gravity
Jacksonville District
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About the South Florida Water Management District
The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts. The mission of the District is to manage and protect the water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply.
and a watershed, the order of the water cycle, and the role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in protecting the natural environment. As students continue their educational journey, they also learn about Lake Okeechobee, come face-to-face with the project workings of the South Florida Water Management District, learn about the south and central Florida ecosystem, encounter animals from the Everglades, and much more! The Journey of Wayne Drop even has a coloring section and maze to engage kids in fun and games. Actual photographs of the Everglades and its wildlife, easy-to-understand diagrams, likeable characters, and colorful cartoon illustrations make The Journey of Wayne Drop an enjoyable and educational read for all age groups. Similarly, the Teacher’s Guide contains 15 separate lesson topics, including the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades watershed, the water cycle, bird adaptations and food chains. Each lesson chapter opens with Florida Sunshine State Standards learning objectives for that particular subject, and a list of necessary materials and procedures. Some chapters have sample tests and quizzes with answer keys. There are also hands-on
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Spring 2005
Community Outreach In Action
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Women Impacting the Everglades
Everglades restoration will provide and is truly bringing CERP to life for many south Floridians. And when it comes to leading the way in managing and implementing CERP projects, others like Cheryl P. Ulrich, P.E., restoration program execution chief at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are making an impact everyday. It doesn’t stop here. There are still other Cheryl P. Ulrich women of impact including Sandy Dayhoff, outreach/education coordinator for Everglades National Park, who are reaching out to our children and teaching them how to embrace
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and understand Everglades restoration and CERP. Sandy is working today to create the leaders of tomorrow. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we recognize these women among hundreds who are engaged in CERP initiatives and are striving to make a difference. They join pioneers such as Marjory Stoneman Douglas who have dedicated their lives to preserving and restoring the Everglades. Sandy Dayhoff This year, we celebrate their legacy and wish them continued success in their endeavors for years to come.
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Moving Forward With The Journey of Wayne Drop
activities to further involve the students, such as pond water experiments and an exercise to create an imaginary national park. Though the curriculum extends its subject matter beyond the topics discussed in Wayne Drop’s story, illustrations and photos from The Journey of
Wayne Drop and other characters appear throughout the guide. The Journey of Wayne Drop and Teacher’s Guide are excellent resources for instilling a genuine appreciation in children of our state’s natural treasures, and a challenge to protect them for generations to come.
UNSCRAMBLE MAGIC
Word Search
Search for words reflecting the theme of this issue of Community Outreach in Action: Moving Forward.
Just for Fun
M F G K U J X K Z Q S G W N D T K B V C O G S L W K Y L A R T H X E E U L C W D P H T M X L Z M B S O I N O F W M D X E Q I U N Y M A N C T R Y Y P G X N E F G R J V P Z N B O D U A J Z Q H Y O F U H S K I O S K S P E W T K A R I Z P G T I T L W Q A O C Q F V I L B S J A Q H U J U M A M O V I N G F O R W A R D R I R K W O X R B P D R H W N M C T K B S J E L
Unscramble the words below to form the various subjects related to Everglades restoration. Clues are provided for each word to help you magically uncover the answer.
1. R I D S B
Clue: There are over 350 of these species in Everglades National Park.
B A C C E L E R A T E P R O G R A M N Y
O U T R E A C H S I V X N D U L C I K Z
D C V A S C Q E T J E Y O E W M E T L V
E D X B T S P I H S R E N T R A P U M I
F K Y C P D R F T K G Z P F X N D W N P
G W Z D R E S N U L L A Q G Y O E V O T
H A B F E F E G V M A B R H T P F X P O
I N C G S V T N W N D C S I Z S G Y Q U
J Z D H E G U H C O E D T J A Q A Z R R
K A E I N H V I X E S E U K B R H P T S
L A F J T I W J Y P R F V M C S O A U A
N O I T I L A O C S E D A L G R E V E B
2. R T E P A H N
Clue: This fierce animal is known as the poster child of the Everglades.
3. A T E M E N A
Clue: Saltwater bays and coastal areas are where this animal calls home.
4. E R T W A
Clue: This is the lifeblood of the south Florida ecosystem .
5. W A S A G R S S
Clue: This is considered the most well-known wetland plant.
6. O W D S K T O R O
Clue: This is considered the most notable wading bird in the Everglades.
Answer Key: 1. Birds 2. Panther 4. Water 5. Sawgrass 6. Wood Stork
Printed on recycled paper.
The Journey to Restore America’s Everglades A partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District and many other federal, state, local and tribal partners.
For more information about Everglades restoration and how it affects you, visit www.evergladesplan.org.
3. Manatee
Moving Forward Everglades Restoration NCER
Accelerate Program Kwanzaa Everglades Coalition Kiosks
Wayne Drop Outreach Partnerships Past
Present Future VIP Tours Events