Allie Preston, Author at Friends of the Everglades

Thousands have signed the petition to Rescue the River of Grass — Will you join them?

Reminder that a rock mine in the Everglades isn’t restoration — it’s exploitation. Our voices are being heard — and we need to get louder! Thousands of you have added your signatures in the past 12 days. We’re not letting up and we’ve got good reason. As we speak, a proposal to mine the Everglades that sparked outrage in 2024 has resurfaced and is quietly advancing under the ludicrous guise of a “water resource project.” The ploy involves land owned by U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals in the Everglades Agricultural Area, and it's an urgent example of the crossroads we’ve arrived at in the history of Everglades restoration. (Check out the instagram video featured left for [...]

Allie Preston2025-02-10T12:59:42-05:00February 11th, 2025|Rescue the River of Grass|

Friends of the Everglades State Legislative Priorities: 2025

About Friends of the Everglades: Friends of the Everglades was founded in 1969 by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a driving force behind the creation of Everglades National Park and author of The Everglades: River of Grass. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving the only Everglades in the world, we have identified the following priorities for the 2025 session of the Florida Legislature. 2025 State Legislative Priorities: JUMP TO: Rescue the River of Grass Protect Wetlands Protect Florida's state parks Take bold steps to improve water quality Don't ban fertilizer bans Smarter, controlled development Stop sugarcane burning 1. Rescue the River of Grass: Acquiring more land will mean a healthier Everglades and a stronger Florida. To ensure a sustainable future [...]

Allie Preston2025-10-16T17:16:19-04:00February 10th, 2025|All Posts, Florida Legislative Tracker, Florida Legislature|

Feeling helpless about red tide? Here’s something you CAN do.

Red tide is once again wreaking havoc on Southwest Florida’s coast — killing fish and other wildlife, polluting the air and threatening economies. While the natural origins of the blooms vary, we know which conditions exacerbate and prolong these disasters: polluted discharges from Lake Okeechobee, fueled by the weak water policies that cater to Big Sugar. It’s easy to feel helpless as this catastrophe unfolds YET AGAIN, but we’re not powerless. By restoring the flow of clean water south through the Everglades, we can help stop the toxic cycle of Lake O discharges. That’s why we launched Rescue the River of Grass, a campaign that demands safeguards for Florida’s communities and economies [...]

Allie Preston2025-02-07T11:53:31-05:00February 8th, 2025|All Posts, Red Tide, Rescue the River of Grass|

Register now for the 2025 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration!

We invite you to join us for the Friends of the Everglades Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration, April 4, 2025, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, featuring keynote speaker Clyde Butcher. Kindly RSVP by March 21, 2025. CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR THIS EVENT Registration Levels and Benefits Host a Table: $3,000 ● Reserved table of ten with table signage ● Private sponsor reception with Clyde Butcher for Table Host and one guest ● Host listing in program and on website Patron Table: $1,500 ● Reserved seating for two ● Private sponsor reception with Clyde Butcher ● Sponsor listing in program and on website [...]

Allie Preston2025-02-27T11:10:30-05:00February 7th, 2025|All Posts|

The future of Everglades restoration depends on what happens to the EAA

https://youtu.be/OSBsq6BdxiE?si=PJNpkjjc0inaoigX If we want a future in which the Everglades thrive, we must take the next step — acquiring land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) to restore the natural flow of clean, freshwater south. That point was made clear at last week’s Everglades Coalition Conference — a gathering of more than 400 policymakers, advocates and enthusiasts on Miccosukee tribal lands — where experts put a spotlight on what’s at stake for this one-of-a-kind ecosystem and all who depend on it. Dr. Thomas Van Lent of Friends of the Everglades put it simply: “It just keeps coming down to the same answer — the future of South Florida depends on what happens to the EAA.” Without more land to [...]

Allie Preston2025-02-04T18:14:53-05:00February 5th, 2025|Everglades Restoration, Rescue the River of Grass|

3 reasons why it’s time to Rescue the River of Grass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hKp0jrgcvY Thank you to everyone who has taken action so far to defend Florida’s future by acquiring more land for water storage and treatment in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Thousands of people have already signed our petition urging Florida lawmakers to Rescue the River of Grass. This is just the start. The real work lies ahead and we need your help inspiring more people to take a stand for clean water and true restoration of the Everglades. We know this campaign has sparked questions, so we shot a short video with our Executive Director Eve Samples to break down the details, the urgency and what’s at risk if we don’t act now to finish the job. Watch the [...]

Allie Preston2026-10-19T16:27:58-04:00February 3rd, 2025|Rescue the River of Grass, Southland Rock Mine|

A rare opportunity to Rescue the River of Grass

https://youtu.be/FArqQmEFT6w?si=veigSKQEfHrZ_0I1 This is a pivotal moment for the Everglades — and for all of us who value clean water. Today, after months of research and planning, we are unveiling an initiative that maps out a lasting solution for this one-of-a-kind ecosystem and those who depend on it. Over the past century, more than half of the Everglades have been cleared and drained for agriculture and urban development. The remnants are fragmented, rife with challenges that make its survival more critical than ever. Restoration efforts have been halting. We now know clearly what it would take to finish the job — to Rescue the River of Grass. Our science team has quantified exactly how much land is needed south of Lake [...]

Allie Preston2025-01-28T12:13:32-05:00January 29th, 2025|Rescue the River of Grass|

What does the future of Everglades restoration look like?

Wild species coexist in the Everglades, like this American alligator and foraging White Ibis. The Everglades is one of the most critical ecosystems in the world, providing unique habitat for wildlife, protecting the water supply for millions of Floridians and safeguarding our coastal communities and economies. However, this precious resource remains imperiled due to a lack of water storage and treatment. More land is needed to store and clean water from Lake Okeechobee so it can flow into the Everglades and eliminate harmful discharges to the northern estuaries. This new year marks a turning point. As we count the hours until 2025, we’re gearing up to advance Everglades restoration for the next generation. You are the most [...]

Allie Preston2024-12-06T13:18:29-05:00December 31st, 2024|All Posts|

Imagine the Everglades in 2050…

Deep water swamp walk during the Swamp Celebration at Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery on October 19, 2024, in Big Cypress National Preserve. What do you see when you imagine the Everglades? Perhaps it’s the iconic sawgrass marshes stretching to the horizon, the rustle of wind through cypress trees, or still waters broken by an alligator slipping beneath the surface. These moments define the Everglades — and their future depends on us. Now imagine the Everglades in 2050. What will it look like? Will clean water flow freely, sustaining vibrant wildlife and human health? Will we still witness breathtaking sunsets over vast swaths of undeveloped land? By supporting Friends of the Everglades today, you can help ensure [...]

Allie Preston2024-12-06T13:14:52-05:00December 27th, 2024|All Posts|

Voice of the Everglades: Reflecting on 2024

https://youtu.be/M67Am5A_Fbo?si=hNv6W4DTR3CPEgnN As we reflect on the final days of 2024, Friends of the Everglades executive director Eve Samples brings you your Voice of the Everglades update: Friends, There’s a pocket of green space near my house where things are always changing. The muhly grass bloomed last month; the spider lilies are popping now. Bromeliads burst with color then go dormant. The osprey and pileated woodpecker are making a beautiful racket lately. If someone tells you Florida doesn’t have seasons, they aren’t paying close attention. This holiday season, I hope you can get out and enjoy the restorative gifts of our tropical and subtropical landscape. Our Friends of the Everglades team will be doing the same — and fortifying ourselves for [...]

Allie Preston2024-12-17T10:45:11-05:00December 19th, 2024|All Posts|

About Allie Preston