EVERGLADES CISMA (ECISMA – and not to be confused with FRIENDS OF EVERGLADES CISMA, Inc.) informally began as early as the late 1990’s. ECISMA held its first summit in 2003. EVERGLADES CISMA (ECISMA) formally began to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in January of 2008. 5 (five) ECISMA signatories signed a MOU as a land management agreement in December of 2008. Those agencies were: FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission; S. FL Water Management Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Miami-Dade County became the sixth signatory in 2012. There are an additional 15 collaborating agencies, including the Miccosukee and Seminole Indian Tribes, the Nature Conservancy, FRIENDS OF EVERGLADES CISMA, Inc., and other state, utility, agency and non-governmental organizations. For more on ECISMA, please see: evergladescisma.org