Allie Preston, Author at Friends of the Everglades

TCPalm Columnist Gil Smart joins Friends of the Everglades as Director of Policy

Gil Smart is no stranger to the fray. During his more than 30 years as a journalist, he investigated complex subjects and crafted insightful arguments to help people understand difficult topics. The environment is a subject he dove into time and time again. As a columnist at TCPalm, Gil wrote about pollution of the northern estuaries and the Greater Everglades, calling out the exploitation of the state’s natural resources. He’s raised an editorial eyebrow many times to Florida’s woefully inadequate water-management system, noting its continual infliction of damage on local communities and the statewide economy. His fiery columns have dug deep, and ruffled feathers along the way. Friends of the Everglades founder, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, spent the early days of [...]

Allie Preston2021-03-05T09:35:41-05:00March 5th, 2021|Friends of the Everglades Statements|

Your moment of Everglades Zen: Everglades Photographer Spotlight

We know the bad-news reel gets old. It’s good to stop and remember what we’re working so hard to protect. Here’s your dose of Everglades zen. Meet Robert Krayer Robert Krayer, better known as @natural_wanders, is a self-described amateur photographer based out of Tampa, Florida, chronicling all the places that he visits on his days off. His shots, often starring the Everglades, capture stunning moments that never fail to awe and inspire us. He took the shot above in early December, 2020, at Long Pine Key in Everglades National Park. As a Florida native, Robert describes the Everglades region as one of the few places in the state where the stars and Milky Way are truly on display. "I really enjoy astrophotography and [...]

Allie Preston2021-03-02T17:31:56-05:00March 2nd, 2021|All Posts, Everglades Zen|

Friends of the Everglades joins statewide environmentalist opposition to “Combating Public Disorder” bills

Stuart, FL, 2016: One of many rallies for the river hosted across the state over the past several years. Environmental battles in Florida would not be what they are today without the public's ability to rally, protest, march, sign wave, and gather in vigils to fight for the state's natural resources. Friends of the Everglades stands with 35 organizations committed to protecting the right to exercise free speech and peaceable assembly to preserve the environment and are therefore opposed to the “Combating Public Disorder” bills (HB1/SB484). These bills could limit grassroots mobilization that has long served as a powerful tool for influencing decision makers and driving policy to protect Florida's natural resources that in turn buoy the health [...]

Allie Preston2021-03-15T09:16:16-04:00March 2nd, 2021|All Posts, Friends of the Everglades Statements|

VIDEO RECORDING: Protecting the Everglades from oil drilling

When asked during today's Clean Water Conversation what everyday people can do to help stop the threat of oil drilling in Big Cypress, Miccosukee activist Houston Cypress, had this to say: “I’m a fan of nonviolent direct action, meaning, let's make a colorful ruckus." As an organization that strives every day to live by Marjory Stoneman Douglas' famous words, "Be a nuisance where it counts," that's advice that we can get on board with. Today's Clean Water Conversation made a powerful case for the urgent need to take action against Burnett Oil Company's proposed oil drilling in Big Cypress. We'd like to extend a big thanks to Jacki Lopez, Alison Kelly, and Houston Cypress for sharing their wealth of knowledge and [...]

Allie Preston2021-02-25T13:39:30-05:00February 25th, 2021|All Posts, Clean Water Conversations|

Friends of the Everglades urges US Air Force to reject commercial aviation at Homestead Air Base

Construction of the Everglades Jetport (another ill-conceived airport proposal near Everglades National Park) was halted in 1970 — after a single runway was built. Now a familiar threat resurfaces at Homestead Air Reserve Base. Friends of the Everglades stands in unity with several environmental advocacy groups against Miami-Dade County's overtures to enter a Joint Use Agreement enabling non-military aviation at Homestead Air Reserve Base, due to the environmental and economic impacts articulated in the attached letter. Friends has been involved closely in efforts to protect and restore the sensitive ecosystems near the base and have watched with concern the County's recent efforts to use the HARB facility for industrial purposes. It is clear to us that opening up [...]

Allie Preston2021-06-10T16:18:36-04:00February 24th, 2021|All Posts, Friends of the Everglades Statements, Homestead Air Reserve Base|

Tell Gov. DeSantis and DEP to reject oil drilling in Big Cypress Inbox

Photo by Luis G. Falcon Big Cypress National Preserve — our country’s first national preserve and a cherished expanse of the Greater Everglades that’s home to threatened and endangered species — is in trouble. Permit applications were submitted by Burnett Oil Company to construct well pads and access roads in Big Cypress, as a precursor to additional permitting that could allow the company to drill there. The Everglades is already an ecosystem that has been fractured in so many ways by the activities of man. Its remnants deserve the utmost protection if we are to ensure its preservation for future generations. Join us in voicing opposition to DEP's issuance of permits that would authorize new oil exploration in the [...]

Allie Preston2021-02-18T16:43:53-05:00February 18th, 2021|Action Alerts, All Posts|

VIDEO RECORDING: Virtual Meet & Greet with Clyde Butcher

There's truly nothing like seeing the Everglades through the eyes of renowned photographer, Clyde Butcher. Thanks to all of you who joined us for an inspiring and lively virtual discussion today. If you missed it, you can catch a replay of yesterday's conversation below. Reminder that Butcher’s "America's Everglades" exhibit is on display now through March 13 at the Arts Council’s Court House Cultural Center in Stuart. We’re offering after-hours access to the exhibit to our Marjory’s Circle members. Email info@everglades.org to book a private visit to see the exhibit or to find out more about Marjory's Circle.

Allie Preston2021-02-12T13:30:11-05:00February 12th, 2021|All Posts, Everglades Zen|

Everglades Illustrated: Repeal M-CORES to protect Florida panthers

The Everglades is vast, and restoration is complex. We're breaking it down visually for you. *Rectangles indicate general study areas New toll road would cut through vital panther territory Last week, two South Florida lawmakers filed legislation to kill the construction of three controversial toll roads through rural Florida known as M-CORES. The proposed "Roads to Ruin," slated to span hundreds of miles from southern Georgia to Collier County, would carve directly through territory identified as critical for one of Florida's most iconic and elusive species: the Florida panther. Panther sightings identified above as orange dots by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission paint a grave picture for the big cats when overlaid with the three study areas being considered for construction. The new toll roads would span the heart of panther [...]

Allie Preston2021-02-09T16:56:38-05:00February 9th, 2021|All Posts, Everglades Illustrated, Wildlife Habitat|

Your moment of Everglades Zen: The other pink Florida bird

We know the bad-news reel gets old. It's good to stop and remember what we're working so hard to protect. Here's your dose of Everglades zen. Coming in Hot November to March, keep your eyes peeled for the pink and gold that signals peak breeding season in the Everglades for this particularly eye-catching species. On a background more well-known for its greens, browns, and blues, the bizarre pop of pink that is the Rooseate Spoonbill may seem out of place, but these wading birds are just as much at home here as the others. Scientists look to the number of wading birds as an indicator of the overall health of the ecosystem. High water levels in the 2019-2020 nesting season were bad news for the Rosies in Florida Bay [...]

Allie Preston2021-02-09T11:45:04-05:00February 9th, 2021|All Posts, Everglades Zen|

Protecting the Environment Protects Human Health

“One thing I know in my bones as a scientist is that protecting the environment protects human health. There’s no question that there’s a link between environmental health and human health.” - Dr. Paul Alan Cox Today's Clean Water Conversation made a powerful argument for safeguarding the health of Floridians by taking care of our natural environment. We owe a big thanks to Toxic Puzzle's lead researcher, Dr. Paul Alan Cox, and president of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, Rob Lord, for reminding listeners that this issue transcends political party lines and for speaking to the urgency of leaders in public health and government working together to address this situation now--not down the road. As Rob Lord put it, "In our local political [...]

Allie Preston2021-01-21T15:46:10-05:00January 21st, 2021|Clean Water Conversations, Toxic Algae|

About Allie Preston