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Honoring Theodora Long: 2022 recipient of our Defender of the Everglades award

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Defender of the Everglades award is presented annually to a person with exemplary commitment to Friends of the Everglades’ mission to preserve, protect and restore the only Everglades in the world. This award acknowledges the recipient's significant contributions to the world of Everglades restoration and highlights someone who embodies the spirit of our founder, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. This year we honored Theodora Long. A respected and dedicated environmentalist, Theo serves as the Executive Director of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center — a nonprofit organization that shares heritage with Friends of the Everglades in that it was founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1969.  Theo’s esteemed stewardship was fostered in part by a longstanding [...]

Honoring Connie Washburn: 2021 recipient of the “Defender of the Everglades” Award

Each year, Friends of the Everglades recognizes a person whose commitment to our mission to preserve, protect and restore the only Everglades in the world stands out among the rest. Not only is this award meant to acknowledge their significant contribution to the world of Everglades restoration, but it also highlights someone who embodies the spirit of our founder, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. This year’s choice is no exception. Connie Washburn has served as a member of the Board of Directors and a tireless advocate for Friends of the Everglades since 1994. Since then, she has fulfilled every supporting role possible within our organization and is always the first to volunteer for any committee or project. We have Connie to thank [...]