“We’ve proven we can do it with man-made marshes…by gosh, we can restore the Everglades if we want to.” — Mark Perry, Executive Director, Florida Oceanographic Society
For nearly five decades, Mark Perry has been a tireless champion for Florida’s waterways. As Executive Director and CEO of Florida Oceanographic Society, he’s dedicated his career to protecting the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon, witnessing firsthand the devastating consequences of pollution, habitat loss and decades of misguided water management.
But for Mark, this fight is also deeply personal.
Growing up on these waters, Mark experienced a thriving ecosystem that he hopes his young grandson will one day get to enjoy, too. He dreams of taking him fishing and diving in the same places he explored as a child — without the pollution and destruction he’s spent his career fighting.
Under Mark’s leadership, Florida Oceanographic Society is lending its voice to the Rescue the River of Grass campaign, calling for the acquisition of at least 100,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee to store and clean water, reduce harmful discharges to coastal estuaries and restore the natural flow of freshwater south to the Everglades.
After 48 years on the frontlines, Mark knows the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of restoration. And he’s not giving up.
Watch Mark’s story above and learn why he believes it’s not too late to Rescue the River of Grass.
