Secretary Underscores Administration's Commitment to Historic Everglades Restoration Initiative.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited the Florida Everglades where he received a briefing on invasive species control and the Burmese python and took an airboat tour of Alligator Bay. He was joined by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Florida's Republican Governor Charlie Crist, and Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL). Secretary Salazar today President Obama's commitment to restoring the Florida Everglades, calling the unprecedented initiative a national priority requiring continuing commitment and bi-partisan support.

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    Secretary Salazar takes a close look at a Burmese python held down by Everglades National Park biologist Skip Snow and Theresa Walters. The python is an invasive species in the Everglades. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    This Burmese python struggles as it is held down by three people. Secretary Salazar got a first hand briefing on the invasive species while visiting Everglades National Park. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    Secretary Salazar rode in an airboat on a section of the Everglades National Park call “the River of Grass.” Salazar underscored the Obama Administration's commitment to Everglades restoration. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    Secretary Salazar takes an airboat tour of Alligator Bay accompanied by Florida Senator Bill Nelson (left), Florida Governor Charlie Crist (right) and Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland (back left). [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    Secretary Salazar toured parts of Everglades National Park and called restoring the Everglades a national priority. He was accompanied by Florida Senator Bill Nelson (left), Florida Governor Charlie Crist (right) and Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland (back left). [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    Secretary Salazar on an airboat tour of Alligator Bay, Everglade National Park. Left to right are Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Secretary Salazar, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland (back left). [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    Secretary Salazar held a press conference at Everglades National Park where he announced that the administration has proposed $600 million to fund ongoing projects and to generate good jobs to restore the Everglades. Left to right are Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Secretary Salazar, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Congressman Kendrick Meek (FL District 17). [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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