The Everglades Trust, a non-profit dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Florida Everglades, thanked the State Legislature for including $638 million in restoration to the wetland as part of its 2026-27 fiscal year (FY) budget it passed in Tallahassee on Friday.
The funding includes completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), widely known as the "Crown Jewel" of Everglades restoration. Gov. DeSantis indicated completion of the EAA was ahead of schedule back in April.
“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," Everglades Trust CEO Anna Upton said in a statement.
“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," Upton added.
The Everglades is roughly 1.5 million acres and critical to South Florida's water supply. The wetland also serves as a natural barrier for coastal communities from flood damage and other severe weather, and as a natural habitat for 1000s of plants and animals.
The Florida Legislature passed FY 2026-27 budget is $114.5 billion, a decrease from its $114.77 billion budget last year. The budget also includes $196 million to Florida's citrus industry and $30 billion to public schools.
The vote was 99-6 in the House and 35-0 in the Senate.
Gov. DeSantis will now take up the bill and consider any line-item vetoes.
“Floridians can be proud of the budget passed by the legislature," the governor announced. "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.”
