Earth Day 2019: Restoring the Everglades, Saving Species

Earth Day 2019 is dedicated to protecting the planet’s species, something Timken is helping to do in the Florida Everglades.

The Everglades comprise the largest sub-tropical wetland ecosystem in North America, home to hundreds of plant and animal species. Alligators, manatees, bald eagles and other endangered or threatened species call the Everglades home. And Philadelphia Gear, a Timken Company, is playing an important role in its restoration.

Over the years, development has had an adverse impact on the Everglades. Things like agricultural activities and road and canal construction have cut the size of the Everglades almost in half. To help address the issue, Congress established the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force in 1996 and subsequently approved the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which has spawned several restoration projects.

Enter Philadelphia Gear. Our team is working on efforts to divert water to manmade marshes, where water hyacinths naturally treat it to remove phosphorous and other chemicals. Specifically, Philadelphia Gear produces customized parts called double-reduction pump drives, essential components inside pump stations used to move the water to and from the treatment areas. Through this process, it only takes three to four months for the marshes to do their job and the clean water is sent back to the Everglades, improving life for the many species that call it home.

To find out more about the project, watch this video on Timken World.