South Dade Schools Bring Everglades Learning to Life Year-Round

South Dade Spotlight, May 2026

HOW LOCAL CLASSROOMS ARE TURNING THE “RIVER OF GRASS” INTO A LIVING STEM LESSON

In South Miami-Dade, where the Everglades is not a distant concept but a neighbor, students are learning that one of the world’s most unique ecosystems begins practically in their backyard. From early learners to graduating seniors, local classrooms are exploring how water moves, why wildlife thrives, and what restoration means for the place they call home through education programs designed to build real Everglades knowledge and a lifelong sense of stewardship.

The Everglades is a vast, complex landscape of winding waterways, wildlife, and plant life that sustains South Florida. But decades of development and disrupted water flow have strained the ecosystem, making education a critical part of protecting it for the future. The Everglades Foundation works to restore and protect this wetland through science, advocacy, and education, and for thousands of students each year, the “education” piece is where the story becomes personal.

A CURRICULUM BUILT FOR TEACHERS, AND FOR COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS

At the center of The Everglades Foundation’s education work is the Everglades Literacy Program, a STEM-based initiative launched in 2014 that offers a free PreK–12 curriculum designed to immerse students in the Everglades ecosystem. Developed by educators for educators, it aligns with Florida state standards and integrates multiple subjects, making it flexible for different ages and learning styles.

Read the full South Dade Spotlight article here: https://southdadespotlight.com/2026/04/27/south-dade-schools-bring-everglades-learning-to-life-year-round/

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.