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Friends of the Everglades 2023 Impact Report

Two core values guide our work at Friends of the Everglades: integrity and impact. Since our founding in 1969 by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, these principles have served as our moral compass as we advance our mission to preserve, protect, and restore the only Everglades in the world. That work started with our first campaign, to kill the Everglades Jetport (we won!), and we continue today across the Greater Everglades ecosystem.  Today, we’re proud to share our 2023 Impact Report, with the grateful recognition that YOU powered this important work. If you have donated recently, we thank you for helping us achieve these results. If it’s been a while, we invite you to make a contribution today — knowing Florida’s [...]

2023-11-07T13:08:02-05:00November 7th, 2023|All Posts, Friends of the Everglades Statements|

“DOH, where’s your concern? Issue a warning about the burn!”

What do we want? Health advisories! When do we want them? NOW! On November 1, Friends of the Everglades staff traveled to West Palm Beach to take part in a protest against sugarcane burning organized by the Sierra Club’s Stop the Burn campaign. Advocates for ending the burns stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the sidewalk across from the Palm Beach County Department of Health waving signs and calling in unison for the state agency to start prioritizing the public health of exposed residents by issuing advisories when sugarcane fields burned. Sugarcane fields burn in the Everglades Agricultural Area six to eight months of the year, blanketing nearby communities in ash that residents call [...]

2023-11-03T09:52:51-04:00November 3rd, 2023|Sugarcane Burning|

Keep more water in the EAA to relieve Central Everglades flooding

https://youtu.be/sVux33ABx9I?si=MnMdKPGJbirWPObj Rising water in the Central Everglades has recently inundated tree islands, overwhelming the wildlife that depends on them and prompting many in the Glades community to call on state and federal water managers to reopen closed water control structures to provide relief. But there's something else that could be done to alleviate the flooding that isn't being talked about enough. Friends of the Everglades policy director Gil Smart breaks it down in a short video here. Our friends at VoteWater take a deeper look at what's happening in the Glades, and what the sugar industry could be doing to help fix the problem. Read their latest Deep Dive below. US Highway 27 borders the Everglades at WCA [...]

2023-10-31T09:23:41-04:00October 31st, 2023|All Posts|

Support Friends of the Everglades this Give Miami Day!

Since our founding by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1969, Friends of the Everglades has worked relentlessly to protect the water, wildlife and green spaces that make South Florida unique. We’ve scored some big wins over the years. With your continued support, we’ll protect this one-of-a-kind ecosystem for future generations.  SAVE THE DATE: We invite you to donate to Friends of the Everglades on Give Miami Day during the contribution period, November 13-16, 2023, by clicking the button below.  Give Miami Day’s goal is to help the non-profit community in south Florida, and it’s our most important online-giving event of the year, fueling our advocacy, science and watchdog work. By making a donation, you are supporting our vision for the [...]

2023-10-30T17:02:45-04:00October 30th, 2023|All Posts|

VIDEO: The injustice of sugarcane burning continues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXeXCzpMCBQ Stop the Burn campaign leader Christine Louis Jeune painted a vivid picture today as she described what its like to race around the house closing windows and doors against smoke and ash when the smell from nearby sugarcane burns permeates the air. There are no formal warning measures in place to communicate health risks to residents — despite the experience being a common occurrence in Christine's hometown of Belle Glade during the sugarcane burn season which can span up to 8 months of the year. In other words, "after you've already been exposed is when you try to protect yourself," Friends of the Everglades Executive Director Eve Samples put it. Today's Friends of the Everglades LIVE featured important [...]

2023-10-25T17:01:41-04:00October 25th, 2023|Friends of the Everglades LIVE, Sugarcane Burning|

An inspiring peek inside our Young Friends classrooms

https://youtu.be/UzwPPHhHVdM?si=iBozrTxRGmHyiZ47 “Take the children out to the Glades and let them learn. Education will be the only way to save the Glades. And tell them the Everglades isn’t saved yet!” — Marjory Stoneman Douglas on the founding of Young Friends of the Everglades As a passionate educator with a background in science, working as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Friends of the Everglades is my dream job! I have long pursued science-based and outdoor education as a means to engage students and develop environmental stewardship — an approach I've embraced since joining the Friends team in May. We've made a lot of progress, thanks to support from people like you.  At this critical point in Florida’s ecological [...]

2023-10-03T14:28:44-04:00October 10th, 2023|All Posts|

Friends of the Everglades State Legislative Priorities: 2024

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 2024 session of the Florida Legislature. 2024 State Legislative Priorities: JUMP TO: Protect wetlands Get serious about toxic algae Fix our failing BMAPs Don't ban fertilizer bans Smarter, controlled development Stop sugarcane burning Send more clean water south 1. Protect Wetlands: Reject any attempt to preempt local authority on wetlands. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett vs. EPA imperils crucial wetlands throughout [...]

Young Friends intern looks to the Everglades as an educator

What can we learn from life in the Everglades? By Autumn N. Bryan 2023 Karen Mashburn Environmental Scholar Upon accepting my internship with Friends of the Everglades, I began to consider the prospect of the Everglades as an educator. I have so much to learn from the people here, and even more to unearth from the beautiful River of Grass that connects us.  Marjory Stoneman Douglas knew, though academically-educated, that school is not the only place you can find a teacher. All around you are opportunities for priceless lessons. For those that can recognize the beauty of the swamp, the Everglades are the perfect educator. Life in the Everglades provides countless instructions on how to coexist, adapt, and connect. [...]