Exploring the Everglades: The River of Grass

The Everglades is a very special place in Florida. It is a huge wetland. A wetland is a place where the land is covered by water. People call the Everglades a "river of grass." This is because the water flows very slowly across the grassy land.

Many amazing animals live here. You can see big alligators swimming in the water. Beautiful birds with long legs, like herons, fly in the sky. Panthers walk on the dry ground. All these animals need the Everglades for food and a safe place to live.

Special plants grow here too. Sawgrass is very tall and has sharp edges. Mangrove trees grow in salty water. They have roots that look like stilts! Cypress trees grow in wet spots. Their roots have "knees" that stick up out of the water.

Water is the most important part of the Everglades. The wet ground acts like a giant sponge. It holds water and keeps the environment clean. Today, people are working hard to protect the Everglades. We want to keep the water clean so the plants and animals can stay safe and healthy.