The 22nd annual Everglades Coalition Conference is underway in Orlando. One of this year’s key speakers is Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorn. Conference organizer John Adornato with the National Parks Conservation Association says the presence of Secretary Kempthorn is a good way to remind the federal government of its pledge to help pay for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration.

“We have some critical natural resources, Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Big Cypress, we have national wildlife refuges, I think there’s sixty eight endangered species within the everglades ecosystem and those are the responsibility of the department of the interior.”

The theme of this year’s Everglades Coalition Conference is ‘Kissimmee to the Keys…Standing firm for Everglades Restoration.
Speakers also include Florida’s Senior United States Senator Bill Nelson. Next year’s conference is in Ft. Myers.