For years, Florida has carefully fretted over her endangered sea turtle population as all five species in the state neared calamity.
We dim lights on shore so hatchlings head to moonlight on the sea instead of death on dangerous roadways. We rope off our beaches to protect nests. We support special hospitals that save endangered turtles found in distress, and biologists carefully monitor populations like mother hens. Sometimes turtles are released by hand to give them a better chance at survival.
After all, Florida is nothing without her native resources and natural beauty.
But thanks to the government shutdown, turtle nest monitoring in Dry Tortugas National Park will end Wednesday night at 6 p.m.. Data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife agency shows that in the area of the Dry Tortugas, between three and nine nests of endangered loggerhead turtles are usually found per kilometer of surveyed beachfront.
While there are critical federal initiatives suffering all across the U.S., the mess is also affecting two of our now-closing nearby national parks, where Florida is at its finest and conservation and tourism are crucial endeavors for the state. Here's a look at the shutdown's impact, by the numbers:
Everglades is the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48 states, behind only Yellowstone and Death Valley. The Department of the Interior reports all visitor facilities, park campgrounds, park roads, and recreational waters are closed and all park programs have been cancelled. The park will remain closed until the government reopens. (Source: National Park Service)
2,723: average number of visitors per day in October
$2,435: entrance fees lost per day
$612: other fees lost per day
$147,000,000: money spent by park visitors per year in surrounding communities
238: employees now on furlough
34: employees still on duty, providing security, emergency services, and critical infrastructure or utility system support for the park's 1,500,000 acres.
20: percent of the fragile, critical Everglades protected by the national park
36: number of threatened or protected species residing in the park
DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK
The 100-square mile Dry Tortugas National Park includes seven remote islands and historic Fort Jefferson. The Department of the Interior reports visitor facilities, the campground at Garden Key, all islands and recreational waters are closed until the government reopens. The park is only open to boats traversing park waters or seeking safe harbor.
Also canceled: ongoing natural and cultural resource conservation planning, commercial ferry service, authorized seaplane service, ongoing turtle nest monitoring, and interpretive services. (Source: National Park Service)
107: average number of visitors per day in October
$1,500: entrance fees and concessions lost per day
$6,900,000: amount spent by park visitors per year in communities around Dry Tortugas
5: number of employees on furlough
6: employees still on duty to to provide security, emergency services, critical infrastructure support.
Unspecified: turtles at risk
Since you won't be able to visit our national parks during the shutdown, here's the only look at the Everglades you're likely to get:
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.