Everglades Defense Fund
The Everglades are under attack, and we’re fighting back. Friends of the Everglades created the Everglades Defense Fund in August 2025 to protect this irreplaceable ecosystem from destructive projects like the mass detention center in the heart of Big Cypress National Preserve.
To counter the tremendous resources of our adversaries, this fund fuels our landmark lawsuit against “Alligator Alcatraz” — and ensures we’re ready to take on future threats to the Everglades. Your gift powers the fight to protect the River of Grass, now and for generations to come.
Friends of the Everglades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your contribution is tax-deductible.
Latest News
We won’t stop fighting until “Alligator Alcatraz” is officially shut down
Reports say “Alligator Alcatraz” may be closing, but we’re keeping our foot on the gas The end is near for “Alligator Alcatraz.” It can’t come soon enough. Ten months after DeSantis appointee James Uthmeier announced the [...]
Alligator Alcatraz Could Shut Down in June
For Immediate Release, May 12,2026 Alligator Alcatraz Could Shut Down in June MIAMI— The massive detention center in the heart of the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is slated to be closed in June, according to reports from vendors [...]
Everglades groups vow to fight on, despite temporary setback in court of appeal
For Immediate Release, April 21,2026 Everglades groups vow to fight on, despite temporary setback in court of appeal MIAMI— The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the ICE detention center in the heart of the Everglades [...]
Other ways to Give
By Mail:
Send a check with “Everglades Defense Fund” in the memo to:
Friends of the Everglades
3727 SE Ocean Blvd., Suite 200
Stuart, FL 34996
By Phone:
Call our offices at 305-669-0858.
Email Development Director Scott Brown for assistance with other methods of giving.
More about our fight
Friends of the Everglades was founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1969 to stop construction of the Everglades Jetport, protecting a vital stretch of wilderness from destructive development. Today, that same land is under threat again — this time from a massive detention center ominously branded “Alligator Alcatraz.” Friends of the Everglades is leading the fight once more.
On June 27, 2025, Friends of the Everglades and our co-plaintiffs, Center for Biological Diversity, filed a lawsuit against the state and federal government and Miami-Dade County to halt activity at the site so a legally mandated environmental impact analysis can be completed.
Friends of the Everglades’ landmark lawsuit to stop the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility scored a major victory on August 21 when Federal District Judge Kathleen Williams banned the arrival of new detainees and ordered a winding down of operations within 60 days.
Additional details, including a timeline of our legal action, are available at Stop “Alligator Alcatraz”.
Together, we can protect the Everglades for generations to come.