Happy birthday, Marjory Stoneman Douglas!
Our spirited founder was born on this day in 1890, 133 years ago.
Marjory deepened human connection with the Everglades through her seminal book The Everglades: River of Grass, which was published in 1947, the same year Everglades National Park was founded. Her efforts to preserve, protect, and restore the only Everglades in the world continue through Friends of the Everglades, which she founded in 1969 at the age of 79 — proving it’s never too late to leave a positive mark on the world!
Marjory wore many hats, literally and figuratively, and her impacts on this beloved, unique ecosystem endure, which is why her birthday is still worth celebrating! April 7 is officially recognized as Everglades Day in Florida, a designation approved by the Legislature in 2012 to raise awareness for the protection and restoration of this subtropical wilderness and its species.
To help us sustain Marjory’s legacy and ensure its continued role in preserving the future of our River of Grass, we invite you to join Marjory’s Circle, or make a donation in her honor today.
