And part of that commitment includes wetlands restoration, or mitigation, a process to compensate for any wetlands impacted by drainage or construction.
Wetlands can be a marsh, a swamp, or even a muddy field covered with native plants and trees.
Wetlands help absorb floodwater and act as a natural filter, capturing pollutants as water trickles through and into the Biscayne Aquifer, the source of South Florida's drinking water. They also provide a refuge for birds and other animals. One of our wetlands restoration projects, within Tree Tops Park, received honors for landscape enhancement. As proud as we are of this winner, it's just one of six areas, totaling 246 acres, that has been improved or conserved on behalf of the Resource Recovery System. This area was previously occupied by a marine construction facility and other buildings.