A Conservation Breeding Program for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow
Current damaging discharges to the St. Lucie estuary in the name of Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations highlight the importance of sending more water south. At the Everglades Task Force Meeting in DC, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) shared a critical update on how they plan to expedite sending more water south:
A Conservation Breeding Program for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS)
This tiny bird has been a critically endangered species in the U.S since being listed in 1967. Despite their name, these birds have not been seen in Cape Sable, Florida since the 1970’s. Today, they can only be found in the Everglades in prairie habitat, and breeding in mixed marl prairie. The CSSS is a non-migratory bird, its lifespan is about 4 years and their diet consists primarily of spiders, beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, grass, and sedge seeds.
The largest populations are in Big Cypress National Preserve and Taylor Slough in Everglades National Park, two critical areas for moving water south. To flow more water for Everglades restoration, water must flow out of Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A through the S-12 structures; but these structures must be kept closed during CSSS nesting season as water flow through the S-12s and S-343 water control structures impact sparrow habitat and nesting. Stakeholders and government agencies have recognized the need for a solution for balancing the needs of the CSSS with the rest of the Everglades ecosystem.
This December, SFWMD announced plans to start a conservation breeding program to help protect the CSSS. This is a big step forward in balancing the needs of wildlife with the ongoing restoration work. Restoring the natural flow of water south is key to reducing damaging discharges to the estuaries and improving Everglades health. This additional waterflow will help rehydrate the wetlands, protect wildlife, and improve salinity levels down in Florida Bay. This announcement shows progress is happening, and that’s something we can all celebrate.
