The Fight to Protect the Everglades

Few landscapes in the world are as unique or as important as the Florida Everglades.

Often described as a “river of grass,” this vast and delicate ecosystem stretches across much of South Florida, supporting an extraordinary range of wildlife. Wading birds, alligators, panthers, and countless other species depend on the slow movement of freshwater flowing south from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay.

But the Everglades have not always been protected.

For much of the last century, drainage projects, development, and water diversion threatened to permanently alter the landscape. The fight to protect this remarkable place was carried forward by generations of conservationists, most famously by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, whose landmark book The Everglades: River of Grass helped the world understand the ecological importance of this fragile system.

Today, that work continues.

Organizations like Friends of the Everglades remain at the forefront of protecting this landscape, advocating for responsible water management and long-term restoration of the ecosystem. Their work helps ensure that future generations will still be able to experience the Everglades as a living wilderness rather than a memory.

Coincidentally, today marks the 5th annual Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration by Friends of the Everglades, where conservation leaders gather to recognize the ongoing efforts to protect this irreplaceable environment. It is a moment each year to reflect on the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead.

Art has always played a role in helping people see the natural world more clearly. Through the work of Art of Nature, Geoffrey C. Smith has long sought to capture the beauty and spirit of the wildlife that depends on places like the Everglades.

When people feel connected to the natural world, they are far more likely to protect it. The Everglades reminds us that some landscapes are simply too important to lose.