Public works authorities in Florida are busy building a group of bridges along the Tamiami Trail to elevate long sections of the roadway, thereby allowing southward-flowing swamp water to proceed unhindered into the rest of the wetlands. Everglades Foundation director Eric Eikenberg said the first of five bridges, which is located just east of Coopertown, has the potential to bring back water from the River of Grass into the Shark River Valley for the first time in nearly a century. The aim is to replenish drinking water aquifers, flush out water pollution, and help preserve the Everglades.

Florida is a sub-tropical paradise of a state, with the Everglades National Park as one of its crown jewels. Much of South Florida was drained in the 1900s for development purposes, but the Glades’ overall area was reduced because the Trail cut water flow to Florida Bay. Now with the bridge’s potential as a water conduit becoming clear to nature management agencies, operators of airboat rides in Florida like Ride-The-Wind may be faced with opportunities to organize fresh tour packages.

Private airboat charter runs are organized according to a guest’s preferences and budget; and can range from just an hour-long trip to a whole day excursion. This is best done by consulting boat operators on the important spot to visit, and the preferred launch site to enable an extensive itinerary.

Eikenberg said the bridge project will also bring new momentum to nature restoration projects south of the Trail that have failed to take off in previous years due to the lack of water. Much of the flora and fauna in the area is already in need of fresh nutrients borne by the water, especially from the outflow of Lake Okechobee. Miami airboat rides operators like Captain Randy Meeker at Ride-The-Wind can use the newly-open space to properly educate guests on the projects.

A run through South Florida can help charter tourists catch more than a glimpse of certain private areas; the skipper will also provide opportunities to see them first-hand. One such place would be the Miccosukee Indian Village just off the Tamiami Trail, not far from the bridge. Another is a special island facility where tourists can touch baby gators and turtles.

Exploring the Everglades is one fun way to spend time with your family while appreciating the raw beauty offered by the Florida wilderness. With the additional access offered by the large areas of South Florida receiving more water as a result of the Tamiami Trail bridge, portions of the wetlands that were nearly devastated can come back to life, and enrich the Everglades in more ways than one.

Let’s get back to Miami Florida Everglades Tours!

An article on aol.co.uk dated April 13, 2013 recounted the story of a Florida tour guide who tussled with a feral 10-foot long Burmese python while taking a family of four on a boat tour through the Everglades. The seemingly dangerous, yet exhilarating experience proved quite memorable for the sightseers, who were treated to a spectacular match between man and beast. Although such risks are not always present, tour guides on adventure-filled Everglades airboat tours will do everything in their power to keep guests safe from harm.

The Everglades are one of Florida’s most popular sightseeing destinations due to the lush flora and fauna that this unique and sprawling ecosystem can sustain. The wetlands are home to fishes, crustaceans, turtles, crocodilians, and snakes—the latter two being the most compelling wildlife features in the nature preserve. Tourists flock to the Everglades to see these amazing creatures in action in their natural habitat.

It should be noted that some animal species found in the Everglades are considered invasive, and do not belong there. The guide was fully aware the Burmese python that he pounced on was not endemic to the American wetlands, and was probably the spawn of an escaped pet snake, which is why he didn’t hesitate to get rid of it. These exotic reptiles compete directly with the local predators for food, a problem that can upset the delicate ecosystem of the Everglades over time.

These small facts are best realized when you hop aboard exciting Everglades airboat tours. As they take you deep into the heart of these pristine wetlands, seasoned tour guides can give you a rundown of how concerned parties are attending to such pressing environmental concerns. Airboat tours present an excellent opportunity to see these animals front and center, and in the flesh. More importantly, these tours educate visitors about the Everglades’ current state and how they can help save this valuable nature preserve.

Meanwhile, snake encounters should be the least of your problems when you book with trusted airboat tour operators like Ride-The-Wind. Most tours are supervised by experienced guides who are quite knowledgeable in various survival and first-aid skills. Your guide may not be as audacious as the snake wrestler, but you’ll definitely take home a lifetime’s worth of memorable experiences.

The chances of a snake attack happening on a typical airboat tour are rather slim, so you shouldn’t be discouraged from joining one. Even if your tour boat does chance upon a serpent in the marshes, rest assured that your tour guide is equipped to deal with the situation. After all, meeting these magnificent, and mostly harmless creatures is all part of the excitement.

Click below to read the adventure that this blogger went on and how he got to see the everglades firsthand. This article is written about how the everglades has changed over the course of time and how it may effect us South Floridians.