Everglades National Park

History:
The Miccosukee Indians have lived in the Everglades for over one hundred years. They moved from northern Florida when the white settlers took their land. 

The rock beneath the Everglades is only 6,000 to 8,000 years old because South Florida surfaced after the Ice Age. 

A lot of birds that migrate from Vermont in the fall fly to the Everglades for the winter. Some of the water is polluted because there is so much fertilizer in it from nearby farms. Plants brought in from other countries are making native trees die. President Truman made the Everglades a National Park in 1947 to save and protect the plants and animals living there. 

Animals: 
    Wood storks, alligators, crocodiles, deer, turtles, water birds, fish and a few panthers live in the Everglades. Animals in the Everglades need to withstand wet or dry conditions. The Wood storks are an indicator of how well the Everglades are doing. Wood storks do not have babies when natural wetlands cycles are upset by humans. 

Plants:
    Orchids, palms, vines, bushes, grasses, and trees grow in the Everglades.

Habitats:
    There are three different habitats in the Everglades; Fresh water, Hardwood hammock and Salt water. Each habitat has different plants and animals living there.

Park Rangers:
   Who cares for America's lands?  A park ranger.  A ranger will show you how to discover new outdoor sounds and smells.  Rangers dress in old time clothing and tell stories to campers.  The ranger will help guide you through the park and show you plants and animals.  The ranger will show how to protect the land.
   It takes a lot of hard work to be a ranger.  If you need help in a national park, ask a park ranger.  Park rangers help find lost people.  Park rangers are skilled horsemen.  Park rangers use many kinds of vehicles to patrol the park.  They use air boots, patrol rafts, and snow vehicles.  Park rangers make sure animals are protected.