A win for nature, residents and Port Everglades customers

Broward County’s Port Everglades recently received three Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). NACo recognizes innovative government programs that enhance the quality of life for residents.

“The port has a long history of having its work recognized by governmental and maritime organizations,” said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris. “What I find most meaningful about the NACo recognition is that it represents our staff’s commitment to caring for our local environment and improving customer service.”

About the award-winning programs

Port Everglades' West Lake Park Project: Mitigation Through Habitat Creation and Protection West Lake Park – Segment 4

Port Everglades worked with multiple local, state and federal agencies and local environmental businesses to create, restore, protect and enhance more than 81.5 acres, including 22 acres of habitat creation, including seagrass, mangroves, mudflats, tidal pools, and upland hammock. Sixteen former spoil islands (dredged when creating the intracoastal waterway), previously dominated by Australian pines and Brazilian pepper, were scraped down or cleared and replanted with native species to create thriving native ecosystems. West Lake Park Segment 4 is one of the largest habitat mitigation projects of its kind in the region, and a model for how ports can enhance natural resources and support economic growth.

Find a Cruise: Helping Cruise Guests Navigate Their Options from Port Everglades

Find a Cruise​ was created primarily to support the economic impact that the port, its cruise line customers and tourism partners contribute to the area and the state of Florida. The response from the primary audience of cruise guests and hospitality workers has been overwhelmingly positive, resulting in an average of 9,855 views a month for the interactive tool. It's also driving awareness about the variety of sailings that the Broward County port offers.

Interactive Cruise Parking Map: Helping Guests Navigate Port Everglades to Smoothly Begin their Cruise

The Port Everglades Interactive Parking Map was created to improve traffic patterns, close critical information gaps for cruise guests, and support cruise line customers and tourism partners whose operations contribute significantly to the local economy and throughout Florida. Designed primarily for cruise passengers and hospitality workers, the tool enhances the arrival experience by providing clear, accessible parking and terminal guidance. Guest interaction culminated in a peak of 15,606 views in November during the current cruise season, demonstrating strong engagement and measurable impact.