ORLANDO, Fla. -- Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole and President and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts Harris Rosen joined a host of state and local leaders to launch a first-of-its-kind wilderness trip entitled: Expedition Headwaters, An Everglades Journey to Remember. Embarking from the new Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, two teams of kayakers and hikers will traverse 140 miles of the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee over 12 days.
“It is important to remember that America’s Everglades begin in Orlando with the headwaters of Kissimmee River and the Chain of Lakes,” said DEP Secretary Sole said. “As a community, we have the responsibility to take care of these precious resources for future generations.”
As the headwaters of America’s Everglades, the mission of the expedition is to increase awareness of the hydrological and ecological connection of the Orlando metropolitan area with the Everglades ecosystem. Team members will observe and learn about the state’s extensive restoration efforts, view restored portions of the Kissimmee River and participate in the area’s recreational opportunities.
"Expedition Headwaters will illustrate the connection of the Central Florida communities to the greater Everglades watershed, and help all of us to better understand how our activities in Orlando and the neighboring areas can either benefit or impact water quality and water supply and the natural areas of the Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades,” said South Water Management District Governing Board Member Harkley R. Thornton.
With the goal of following and exploring the natural corridor that connects Orlando with Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades, the expedition team will record their observations through online journal entries and photography. In addition, the team along with DEP’s Environmental Education Office will conduct three field labs with students from elementary and middle schools in the region teaching them about watersheds, wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
Tangelo Park Elementary School children, flanking Harris Rosen, were among the first to benefit from an Everglades school project and shared their newly found knowledge through a poem recited at the launch ceremony.
The idea for the expedition was initiated by Harris Rosen, who owns seven Central Florida hotels and resorts including the new 1,500-room Rosen Shingle Creek, uniquely nestled on 230 acres situated along Shingle Creek. Rosen discovered Shingle Creek when he purchased the property for the hotel and subsequently was determined to help preserve the creek for others to enjoy.
“I am committed to making all my hotels environmentally sound and hope that other hotel owners follow suit,” said Mr. Rosen. “It is up to local businesses and citizens to help the state with the restoration and do what they can to save our natural resources.”
The Department of Environmental Protection and South Florida Water Management district are also sponsoring riverside talks during the 12-day journey. At various stops on the tour, the travelers and media will have the opportunity to hear from experts on land acquisition for restoration, current construction activity, restoration successes, prescribed burning and a history of the area.
Restoring America’s Everglades is reviving habitat for more than 60 threatened and endangered species, establishing a reliable supply of water for millions of Floridians and providing flood control consistent with the restoration. To date, Florida has invested more than $2 billion to restore and preserve America’s Everglades and $140 million to improve the health of Lake Okeechobee.
For more information, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/evergladesforever/eh/default.htm.
The 1,500-room Rosen Shingle Creek is conveniently located at 9939 Universal Blvd., just off the International Drive tourist district and ten minutes from the Orlando International Airport. For more information about the Rosen Shingle Creek, please visit www.rosenshinglecreek.com or call (866) 996-9939.
