America's Everglades D.C. Summit | The Everglades Foundation

The Everglades Foundation will host the America’s Everglades Summit in Washington, D.C. on June 10, 2025. The event will bring together Everglades supporters, key stakeholders, dignitaries, and decision makers.

In recognition of 25 years of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the Summit will explore the economic and national importance of America's Everglades.

In addition to the environmental and lifestyle enhancements from restoration, our economists have identified 80,000 businesses dependent on Everglades restoration. When we account for business-to-business interactions and the spending of this labor force, this Clean Water Economy employs almost 2.9 million Floridians, with an annual combined economic contribution of over $300 billion to GDP. This figure does not include the value of real estate, which is valued at between $1.7 to $2 trillion, nor of real estate rentals, which generate an additional $100 - $125 billion each year. This Clean Water Economy is driven by industries like real estate, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

A Summit dinner will conclude the day with a tribute to CERP, keynote remarks and a renewed commitment to completing critical Everglades restoration projects.

Everglades Restoration is Worth It and It's Working

Heighten awareness of the ecological and economic value of this national icon.

25 Years of Progress

Commemorate Everglades restoration progress on the 25th anniversary of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and chart the course ahead to finish major restoration projects in this decade.

Finish the Job!

Encourage momentum for bipartisan support and funding to achieve the largest ecosystem restoration project in the world as a new Congress and post-election Administration convenes.

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PART I: IT'S WORTH IT

9:30AM

REGISTRATION BEGINS

* Allow 30 minutes to clear Capitol security.

10:00AM

WELCOME REMARKS

Mary Katharine Ham, FOX News Contributor and Author

Eric Eikenberg, CEO, The Everglades Foundation

10:15AM

SUMMIT CONGRESSIONAL SPONSOR REMARKS

U.S. Representative Brian Mast (R-FL)

10:20AM

A MESSAGE TO THE NATION: IT'S WORTH IT!

Paul Tudor Jones, Co-Founder, The Everglades Foundation

Q&A With Mary Katharine Ham, FOX News Contributor and Author

10:40AM

THE EVERGLADES ROI:

RESTORING NATURAL CAPITAL, POWERING ECONOMIC GROWTH

Simon Perkins, President, Orvis

Downey Magallanes, Vice President for Federal Affairs, Enterprise Mobility

Mike Sole, Vice President, Environmental Services, NextEra Energy, Inc.

11:20AM

DECADES OF UNITY:

THE BIPARTISAN APPROACH TO
EVERGLADES RESTORATION

U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

11:45AM

THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESS

Dr. Steve Davis, Chief Science Officer, The Everglades Foundation

12-1:00PM

LUNCH

PART II: IT'S WORKING

1:00PM

IT'S WORKING: 25 YEARS OF CERP AND LESSONS LEARNED

Chairman Talbert Cypress, The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida

Shannon Estenoz, Former U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

Porter Goss, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Former U.S. Representative (R-FL)

Ryan Seiger, Staff Director, Senior Council at U.S. House of Representatives, Sub. on Water Resources and Environment

1:45PM

BEYOND THE SAWGRASS: A JOINT

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Lee Forsgren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)

MG Jason Kelly, Deputy Commanding General for Civil & Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL)

U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)

2:30PM

CLOSING REMARKS

U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL)

3:00PM

EVENT CONCLUDES

* SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

America's Everglades Summit

JUNE 10, 2025

Summit agenda will include welcoming remarks, panel discussions, congressional, and administration remarks.

9:30AM - 3:00PM

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER,

CONGRESSIONAL AUDITORIUM

Summit Reception

& Dinner

JUNE 10, 2025

A summit dinner, with dignitaries and Foundation supporters, will conclude the day with a tribute to CERP and a commitment to completing critical restoration projects by the end of the decade.

7:00PM - 10:00PM

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM & NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Capitol

Hill Day

JUNE 11, 2025

The following day, Foundation leadership and supporters will descend on Capitol Hill for meetings with Senators and Representatives from around the nation in support of Everglades funding and restoration.

9:00AM

CONGRESSIONAL

OFFICES THROUGHOUT CAPITOL HILL

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