New Study Values America’s Everglades at $1 Trillion

Comprehensive Economic Valuation Underscores Urgency for Restoration Investment

June 16, 2025

Biscayne Bay bustles with boaters near the Miami skyline, displaying a vibrant intersection of city life and the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

A groundbreaking new report released by The Everglades Foundation, in collaboration with Earth Economics, estimates the value of ecosystem services provided by America’s Everglades at more than $1 trillion over the next 50 years.

This first-of-its-kind economic analysis— “Thriving Everglades, Thriving Economy: Nature’s Value in the Everglades”—provides a powerful tool for informing policy and investment in the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in the continental United States.

“This report delivers clear, quantified evidence on how the health of the Everglades is directly tied to America’s economic well-being,” said Paul Hindsley, Chief Economist at The Everglades Foundation and co-author of the study. “Restoring this national treasure secures economic prosperity today and safeguards its benefits for generations to come.”

Unveiled during the America’s Everglades Summit in Washington, D.C., the report highlights the Everglades’ $31.5 billion annual contribution to the economy through ecosystem services that include:

·      Real Estate Enhancement – $9.2 billion

·      Outdoor Recreation – $8.5 billion

·      Protection from Extreme Weather Events – $8.4 billion

·      Biodiversity & Habitat – $3.3 billion

“The Everglades is an invaluable natural asset, improving the quality of life for residents and visitors to South Florida,” said Maya Kocian, Executive Director of Earth Economics. “This report lays a foundation for articulating the Everglades’ importance to the region’s economy and the continued need for restoration for resilience. An investment in nature is an investment in Floridians and Florida’s economy.”

The study also underscores the risks of inaction. Harmful algal blooms in 2013 and 2018 caused over $3 billion in losses to real estate and tourism in just two Florida counties. Reduced freshwater flows continue to threaten Florida Bay and the regional economy it sustains.

Restoring the Everglades has long been a bipartisan priority, requiring consistent state and federal funding. The new economic research will serve as a powerful tool to educate decision-makers and the public about the far-reaching value of the Everglades and why restoration is essential for Florida’s future. Read the study: Thriving Everglades, Thriving Economy: Nature’s Value in the Everglades

Want to learn more?

You’re in the right place. For more than 30 years, The Everglades Foundation has been the premier organization fighting to restore and protect the precious Everglades ecosystem through science, advocacy, and education.

Join the movement to restore and protect the global treasure that is America’s Everglades. Sign up to learn more. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). Give a gift of any amount you can to support our mission at EvergladesFoundation.org/Donate.