Allie Preston, Author at Friends of the Everglades

Friends of the Everglades 2024 Impact Report

This year underscored the urgency of Friends of the Everglades’ work to protect the water, wildlife and wilderness that are vital to the future of Florida. Threats to the Greater Everglades ecosystem came in many forms — including rapidly intensifying hurricanes, overdevelopment, and even our own state government — and we were well-positioned to respond. That’s because of your support. At Friends of the Everglades, we pride ourselves on being nimble and tough, just like our founder, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Your donations directly power the legal legwork, advocacy, science and education that led to the following tangible impacts this year. We’re proud to present them to you in this report. Helped stop the State Parks sneak [...]

Allie Preston2024-11-18T09:26:39-05:00December 10th, 2024|All Posts, Impact Report|

This Giving Tuesday, give for the Glades!

“There are no other Everglades in the world.” And there is no better advocate for its continued existence than you. This shimmering, slow-moving River of Grass is renowned for its biodiversity — offering sanctuary to creatures both fierce and fragile. The elusive panther, the ancient calm of the sunning alligator, and the quiet grace of a wading heron are all unique scenes from the nation’s largest subtropical wilderness. In the Everglades, life abounds. But so do the perils that threaten its continued existence. Donors like you are the force behind real, lasting change. Make Friends of the Everglades your trusted partner to keep our home safe. Your tax-deductible contribution this Giving Tuesday will go directly toward safeguarding South Florida’s [...]

Allie Preston2024-12-03T09:14:47-05:00December 2nd, 2024|All Posts|

WATCH NOW — An Everglades success story, more than a decade in the making

https://youtu.be/YSdls0mcVgI?si=0zRF5_uM7ztVZm4q From the site of the C-139 Flow Equalization Basin, Friends of the Everglades executive director Eve Samples brings you your Voice of the Everglades update: At Friends of the Everglades, we aren’t in the habit of cheering on half-measures that fall short of protecting Florida’s fragile waterways and wilderness. Our cause is too urgent — there’s no time for platitudes. Our founder, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, recognized that long ago. But when true progress occurs, we make sure to celebrate the success and allow it to energize our continued fight. I’m happy to report that we have one of those moments now. This month, construction was completed on an 11,000-acre shallow, marshy reservoir on a former citrus grove far [...]

Allie Preston2024-11-25T14:22:06-05:00November 26th, 2024|Everglades Restoration, Voice of the Everglades|

“Recovery Operations” sacrifice fragile estuaries for no guaranteed benefit

The Army Corps of Engineers initiated harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges on December 7, with no end in sight. These releases, which could last through May, bring polluted water and sediment to the fragile northern estuaries that have already suffered this wet season, on top of years of abuse. Col. Brandon Bowman, new to his post, recommended these releases in the name of “Lake Okeechobee recovery,” but there’s no guarantee lake levels will recede enough to improve its health. Caloosahatchee River dry season releases have not increased significantly, but the St. Lucie, which needs no freshwater inflow, will suffer significant damage. TELL Col. Bowman NOT to make the St. Lucie River a sacrificial lamb. Urge him to bring an [...]

Allie Preston2024-12-20T09:31:27-05:00November 22nd, 2024|Action Alerts, Lake Okeechobee, LOSOM|

“Lake Recovery” at what cost?

Today, Friends of the Everglades submitted a letter expressing deep concerns about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to initiate Recovery Operations on Lake Okeechobee. Expected to begin December 7, 2024, these harmful discharges could last months, devastating fragile estuaries that have already endured months of poor water quality after this year's storm season. The new Col. Brandon Bowman’s decision comes in the name of “lake recovery,” but there’s no guarantee this will lower lake levels enough to improve its health. Meanwhile, the northern estuaries will suffer, and the St. Lucie River in particular, which doesn’t need any freshwater input from Lake O, will bear the brunt of this destruction. Friends of the Everglades has urged the Corps [...]

Allie Preston2024-11-20T19:39:49-05:00November 20th, 2024|All Posts, Friends of the Everglades Statements, Lake Okeechobee, LOSOM|

Support Friends of the Everglades this Give Miami Day!

For more than five decades, Friends of the Everglades has been a voice for South Florida’s fragile ecosystems. Founded by the trailblazing Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1969, we’ve defended the Everglades from pollution and overdevelopment — achieving hard-fought victories along the way. Now more than ever, our work is critical to ensuring the survival of this national treasure. Give Miami Day is an opportunity for all of us to come together and make a lasting impact. This online-giving event fuels our advocacy and action, empowering us to tackle urgent threats to clean water, wildlife and the sustainable future of South Florida. . As someone who shares our passion for this cause, your support on Give Miami Day is pivotal. [...]

Allie Preston2024-11-17T09:21:31-05:00November 10th, 2024|All Posts|

2024 ballot: We’re voting NO on Amendment 2. And we’re not alone.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely been paying attention to the debate surrounding Amendment 2: The Right to Hunt and Fish. The constitutional amendment, on the ballot this election cycle, claims to preserve the right to fish and hunt in Florida. Sounds benign, right? Until you dig deeper into the unknown particulars, and start to follow the money. Make no mistake — we will always support the right to hunt and fish in Florida. But as we’ve outlined in this No on 2 position statement, there are many reasons to question the necessity and integrity of this proposed amendment — not least of which is the troubling list of financial backers it’s amassed. Amendment 2 was [...]

Allie Preston2026-09-28T09:59:11-04:00October 28th, 2024|Amendment 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt, Friends of the Everglades Statements|

2024 ballot: Be wary of who’s driving Amendment 2

This election season, Friends of the Everglades urges you to join us in voting NO on Amendment 2. Amendment 2, which claims to protect the right to fish and hunt, isn’t necessary. Those rights are already safeguarded under Florida law. If approved, the amendment would prioritize hunting as the “preferred” method of wildlife management in Florida, undermining science-based habitat conservation. The vague language of the amendment also calls for protecting so-called “traditional” means of hunting and fishing, which could open the door to the reintroduction of banned methods such as gill netting or baiting of bears, with such conflicts left to be settled in court. Also giving us pause: Amendment 2 is not a citizen-led effort. Rather, it was [...]

Allie Preston2026-09-28T09:58:21-04:00October 23rd, 2024|Amendment 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt, Friends of the Everglades Statements|

2024 ballot: Vote NO on Amendment 2

Friends of the Everglades, which was founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1969, urges voters to oppose Amendment 2, “The Right to Fish and Hunt,” which will appear on the November 2024 ballot in Florida. We oppose Amendment 2 because: There’s no need for this amendment to the Florida Constitution. Hunting and fish are already protected in state law, specifically Chapter 379.104 of Florida Statutes. The amendment is not based on science. Amendment 2 would designate hunting as the “preferred” method of wildlife management in the Florida Constitution. This risks supplanting methods rooted in habitat management — such as hydrologic restoration and prescribed fire — which are vital, science-backed methods of wildlife conservation and management. It could have unintended [...]

Allie Preston2026-09-28T09:57:30-04:00October 16th, 2024|All Posts, Amendment 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt, Friends of the Everglades Statements|

Milton felt different because it WAS different

Tornadoes spawned in an outer band of Hurricane Milton in October 2024 destroyed homes in Martin County’s Port Salerno community. Hurricane Milton — more than any storm since Hurricane Andrew — raised existential questions about our future in Florida. Milton was stronger, wetter, and more destructive because of human-caused climate change. If not for warming temperatures, the hurricane would have hit as a Category 2, not a Cat 3, according to the international scientific group World Weather Attribution. This increase in wind speed led to an exponential increase in damage. Milton’s rains were heavier, too, consistent with rainfall extremes that have increased with global warming, Yale Climate Connections reported. If Milton felt different to you, like it [...]

Allie Preston2024-10-17T11:59:09-04:00October 16th, 2024|Voice of the Everglades|

About Allie Preston