This was a historic year for Friends of the Everglades. We stood in the national spotlight as we waged a formidable battle against the reckless detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” that threatened the very land that inspired our founding fifty-six years ago.
We were well-equipped to respond to meet that moment with strength. In recent years, we’ve revitalized the organization that Marjory Stoneman Douglas founded — sharpening our focus, deepening our scientific expertise, forging alliances, expanding our reach and bolstering our voice as a trusted source on issues across the Greater Everglades ecosystem.
The battle in Big Cypress is our origin story. In 1969, developers tried to build the largest jetport in the world on this stretch of cypress forest and wetlands. We won the fight in 1970, defeating the would-be jetport, contributing to a framework of national environmental protections that are now threatened. We remain committed to protecting this integral piece of the Everglades — and to the broader battle to safeguard our nation’s bedrock environmental laws.
Your support made it possible. This year, your donations powered legislative wins, legal action, science, advocacy and education — real impacts that kept the Everglades at the center of public attention and protection.
We’re proud to share those impacts with you in this report.
Halted operations at Everglades detention center with preliminary injunction: In 2025, we secured a milestone legal victory to protect Big Cypress National Preserve from the mass detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” A federal judge on August 21 ordered the state and federal government to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees and begin winding down operations — a powerful reminder that government officials at the highest levels must comply with environmental laws. Backed by our legal team and co-plaintiffs, the Center for Biological Diversity and Miccosukee Tribe, we presented evidence of habitat destruction and threats to the endangered Florida panther, among other harm. This temporary victory, fueled by overwhelming public support, proved the strength of collective action for America’s Everglades. The next phase of the fight continues, following the state and federal government’s appeal of the injunction. We created the Everglades Defense Fund to ensure we have the resources to bring our strongest case.
Protected Florida’s state parks: turning advocacy into law: On July 1, the State Park Preservation Act officially became law — a significant victory for Florida’s public lands that Friends of the Everglades helped make a reality. Sparked by public outcry over a 2024 proposal to open state parks to harmful development, this bipartisan win reflects the power of grassroots advocates, environmental groups and thousands of Floridians who stood up to protect the wild places we treasure. The new law — which Friends of the Everglades had a hand in drafting — closes loopholes, strengthens protections and ensures Florida’s state parks remain off limits to future development threats.
Launched bold campaign to Rescue the River of Grass: Early this year, we launched Rescue the River of Grass, a science-driven, solutions-oriented campaign to secure the public acquisition of critical land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). It aims to address Florida’s pressing water-storage and water-treatment needs, restore the natural flow of clean water to the southern Everglades and Florida Bay, and prevent harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges that devastate the northern estuaries. Since its launch, more than 30,000 people have signed the Rescue petition calling on the state to use voter-approved land acquisition funds to buy EAA land for restoration. It’s a powerful show of public support that underscores the urgency of safeguarding the River of Grass and the clean water, wildlife habitat and cultural heritage it sustains.
Fought to keep the Southland rock mine out of the Everglades: Friends of the Everglades stood with allies across the state to challenge a controversial rock mine backed by Big Sugar that threatens more than 8,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee in the Everglades Agricultural Area. This project offers no proven environmental benefit, has no place in official Everglades restoration plans and risks undermining decades of work to heal this fragile ecosystem. Thousands of supporters joined us in speaking out, sending letters to the Palm Beach County Commission to oppose the project that could jeopardize restoration efforts for generations. While the proposal continues to advance, Friends of the Everglades remains unwavering in our opposition and ready to mobilize supporters to defend the River of Grass.
$100K grant will inspire the next generation of Everglades defenders: Our youth education program reached new heights in 2025, earning a competitive $100,000 grant from Impact100 Martin to develop the Everglades Edudome Experience. This innovative new initiative of Young Friends of the Everglades will immerse students in a virtual tour of the ecosystem. Premiering in Martin County School District during the 2025/2026 school year, the exciting new endeavor features a first-of-its-kind 16-by-20-foot satellite map of the Everglades, as well as a 360-degree film made in partnership with Odyssey Earth that features Miccosukee activist Betty Osceola, educator rangers from Everglades National Park and fly fishing guide Benny Blanco. This win is a testament to the vision and leadership of our Education and Outreach Director, Amanda Purnell, and marks a major step forward in inspiring the next generation of Everglades advocates.
Fought to bring an end to Lake Okeechobee “Recovery” discharges: After nearly four months of harmful wintertime Lake Okeechobee discharges, Friends of the Everglades celebrated a win in March when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed the gates to the St. Lucie River and reduced flows to the Caloosahatchee to a beneficial level. Nearly 3,000 supporters joined us in pressing the Corps for this action, and our voices were publicly acknowledged in the decision. While this victory underscores the power of collective advocacy, it also highlights the urgent need for lasting solutions — including securing land south of Lake Okeechobee to store, clean and send water south — to truly rescue the River of Grass.
