Brightline has partnered with The Everglades Foundation to celebrate its joint commitment to restore and protect the Everglades and South Florida’s freshwater. The partnership includes the installation of educational materials throughout Brightline’s South Florida stations and aims to spotlight the Everglades’ crucial role in supplying clean water to millions of South Floridians, raising awareness and inspiring action to preserve this one-of-a-kind ecosystem.
Sustainability is one of Brightline’s core pillars, and the company is excited to embark upon its first green partnership to bring attention to one of Florida’s most important natural resources. Five million Floridians – including four Brightline stations – and countless tourists, get their drinking water from the Everglades. Millions more depend on a healthy Everglades for their recreation, tourism and real estate industries. It is also home to more than 70 federally threatened or endangered species and includes 14 National Wildlife Refuges and four National Parks, including Everglades National Park – a World Heritage Site, a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. Florida’s economy is driven by tourism, and a healthy Everglades benefits everyone.
“It is vital to educate everyone in South Florida on the critical role the Everglades plays in our lives,” said Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation. “Our new partnership with Brightline will help raise awareness among residents and tourists about this unique ecosystem, which provides invaluable resources, including our most important one – drinking water. Restoring the Everglades is not just about protecting natural beauty; it’s about securing our future and ensuring a sustainable environment for generations to come.”
“At Brightline, we are deeply committed to the communities we serve, and that commitment extends to preserving the natural resources that sustain all of us,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “Partnering with The Everglades Foundation reflects our dedication to sustainability and our belief in the power of collective action to make a lasting impact.”
Did you know?
- The Everglades ecosystem spans the entire Brightline north-south route. The headwaters of the Everglades begin just south of Orlando in Shingle Creek, with the River of Grass flowing southward through Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, eventually reaching Florida Bay.
- Most people living along the Brightline route in South Florida rely on the Everglades for their fresh water. This vital ecosystem supplies drinking water to millions of Floridians and countless visitors across southern Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
Here’s how you can help.
- Use refillable water bottles and tumblers at our stations and onboard our trains. Every Brightline station includes refillable water bottle fountains that you can fill up with ease.
- Keep using train travel. Traveling by train consumes far less energy than traveling by car or plane. When you choose Brightline, you’re contributing to mindful and sustainable transportation that benefits the environment.
- Support advocacy efforts focused on protecting Florida’s bounty of natural landscapes.
- Consider donating to The Everglades Foundation.
The Everglades, a vast and diverse ecosystem, is an irreplaceable part of South Florida’s natural heritage. Though the Everglades have experienced significant changes over the past century, they remain a crucial source of drinking water and a haven for countless wildlife species. The ecosystem, originally spanning over 8,000 square miles—an area the size of New Jersey—has been reduced by half, yet it still receives the same amount of rainfall as when it was much larger. Despite these challenges, ongoing efforts are working towards restoring the natural flow of water from Lake Okeechobee, reconnecting the ecosystem, and preserving this invaluable resource.
To learn more about Brightline’s collaboration with The Everglades Foundation, visit https://www.gobrightline.com/
Photo credit: BRIGHTLINE