Why here? That’s the question at the heart of our landmark lawsuit to stop the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center — built in the middle of Big Cypress National Preserve, in a fragile corner of America’s Everglades. This isn’t just any wetland.The Everglades provide clean drinking water for millions, fuel Florida’s economy and unite recreation and cultural heritage in ways that resonate with locals and visitors alike. It’s a place we’ve invested billions of taxpayer dollars to restore — not destroy. So why risk it? Why put this facility here, in a landscape we cannot replace? The Washington Post asked us to take them into the protected wetlands threatened by "Alligator Alcatraz" and explored these questions in a powerful feature. [...]

Since 1969, we have partnered with people like you to fight back against dangerous proposals that put the health of the Everglades at risk. Together, we have waged and won daunting battles — and we’re within striking distance of another win. On August 21, we secured a significant victory in federal court: A judge ordered a stop to construction and the arrival of new detainees at “Alligator Alcatraz” and a winding down of operations in 60 days. We could not have scored that legal win without the support of donors like you.  Already, the next phase of the fight has begun. Swiftly after the ruling, the state and federal defendants filed their appeal. Our legal team worked around the [...]

We hope you’ve heard the news: Friends of the Everglades’ lawsuit to stop harm at “Alligator Alcatraz” scored a major win. A judge has banned new detainees from arriving at the site and ordered a winding down of operations within 60 days! More than 40,000 of you joined hands with us when this fight was just starting. By sending messges to Gov. DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier to halt operations at a makeshift prison in the middle of the Everglades you made a difference. By raising the profile of the environmental cost of the detention center on the Everglades, your advocacy helped take down entrenched interests with deep pockets — thank you! While we’re celebrating the court’s order to [...]

This week we made history: A federal judge ruled in our favor, halting construction, barring new detainees and ordering a winding down of operations at the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center in the heart of the Everglades. It’s a major win — for clean water, for wildlife and for the people who have fought to protect this landscape. But here’s what we know: an appeal has already been filed. The forces behind this project have deep pockets, political influence and no plans to back down. That’s why we created the Everglades Defense Fund — to power the legal fight ahead and ensure we’re ready for whatever comes next. Supporters have already stepped up in a big way, giving more than $200,000 for the cause. [...]

We just achieved a landmark victory for all of us who care about the Everglades and our nation’s environmental protections.  A federal judge has ordered the state of Florida and federal government to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees, and begin winding down operations at the mass detention center in Big Cypress National Preserve known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The judge’s 82-page order will help safeguard this irreplaceable landscape — and serves as a strong reminder that our nation’s environmental protections matter. “This decision sends a clear message that environmental laws must be respected by leaders at the highest levels of our government — and there are consequences for ignoring them,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the [...]