Aerial view of Everglades National Park, Florida, United States

A river of grass. Everglades National Park, Florida, United States

Wouldn't it be great to see our reflection from above in this vast expanse of water? Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is the largest tropical wilderness in the United States, spanning more than 6,000 square kilometres. It protects the southern 20% of the original Everglades and is home to numerous rare and endangered species, including the Florida panther, American crocodile and West Indian manatee. Often referred to as 'River of Grass,' the park's unique ecosystem, fed by a slow-moving river from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay, is a significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds. The park also plays a crucial role in water conservation and flood control, as its wetlands serve as natural filters and buffers against storms.

Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Kerala's Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts, is one of the country’s most prominent wildlife reserves. Famous for its elephant and tiger populations, the sanctuary covers 925 square kilometres, with 350.54 square kilometres designated as a national park in 1982. Home to a diverse range of rare, endemic and endangered species, it also serves as a crucial watershed for the Periyar and Pamba rivers, two of Kerala's lifelines.