A Key Wildlife Area In Florida Is Vanishing Due To Rising Seas
Back in 1877, Florida's Egmont Key boasted 540 acres. Today, it’s just 250 due to rising sea waters. The Key became a national wildlife refuge in 1974 due to its wealth of nesting shorebirds, sea turtles and gopher tortoises. According to the state's Fish and Wildlife Service, Egmont has lost more than half its land mass over the last 150 years. The seas surrounding Florida have also risen at least 8 inches the last century. In addition, state officials predict another 9-to-24-inch rise by 2060.