Publix recently completed two wetland restoration projects in the Florida Everglades, restoring more than 1,300 acres and an estimated 173 million gallons of water annually to the region.
In 2021, the Lakeland, Fla.-based company committed $2 million to the National Audubon Society and the National Park Foundation to support restoration efforts at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the western Everglades and the saline glades region of Everglades National Park.
Three years later, Publix pledged an additional $1.1 million to continue restoration work in the sanctuary.
The Jan. 26 announcement comes ahead of World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2, which highlights the vital role wetland ecosystems play in environmental health.
The $1.1 million Publix pledged to Audubon in 2024 is expected to restore an additional 250 acres of wetlands at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The work is scheduled for completion later this year.
Wetlands function as natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and filtering pollutants, according to Audubon. Healthy wetlands help absorb stormwater surges, reduce flooding in nearby communities and recharge underground aquifers that supply drinking water to millions of people.
As restoration progresses, native plants and wildlife are returning to the areas. Wading birds, alligators and black bears have been spotted in the revitalized regions.
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