The Everglades Foundation Leads Landmark Week in Washington, D.C. to Champion Everglades Restoration
- The Everglades Foundation
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Groundbreaking Economic Study and Bipartisan Advocacy Unite Stakeholders in Support of America’s Everglades
June 13, 2025
Washington, D.C. — The Everglades Foundation led an impactful series of events in the nation's capital this week to spotlight America’s Everglades while unveiling economic data demonstrating that this national treasure is a $1 trillion asset. From the America’s Everglades Summit to Everglades Hill Day advocacy and the release of the first-of-its-kind economic study, the week was a defining moment for Everglades restoration. The Everglades provides drinking water for millions of people and is the driving force behind Florida’s key economic sectors of real estate, tourism, and outdoor recreation.
America’s Everglades Summit: “It’s Worth It. It’s Working.”
On June 10, The Everglades Foundation hosted the America’s Everglades Summit at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. The event brought together more than 300 attendees, including Members of Congress, Trump Administration officials, scientists, Tribal leaders, nonprofit partners, and business executives to reaffirm bipartisan support for Everglades restoration. The summit also commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and celebrated the momentum behind decades of restoration progress.
The Summit kicked off with remarks from Foundation Co-Founder Paul Tudor Jones on the economic importance of the Everglades to the Florida economy. The event also included a keynote speech from U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, as well as remarks from U.S. Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
Other notable voices included Simon Perkins, President of The Orvis Company, Downey Magallanes, Vice President of Federal Affairs at Enterprise Mobility, and Mike Sole Vice President of Environmental Services at NextEra Energy who discussed the economic return on investment in restoration. Federal leaders such as MG Jason Kelly of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Lee Forsgren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), joined U.S. Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) in outlining future priorities.
Reflections on the 25-year legacy of restoration included insights from Chairman Talbert Cypress of 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, and Former U.S. Representative and Ryan Seiger, Staff Director and Senior Counsel at U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, with closing remarks delivered by U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL).
Hill Day: Collective Advocacy on Capitol Hill
On June 11, The Everglades Foundation convened over 150 stakeholders for Everglades Hill Day. These partners for Everglades restoration proceeded to engage with lawmakers to advocate for full congressional support of President Trump’s record-breaking $446 million FY26 budget recommendation for America’s Everglades. This marks the largest presidential request in the restoration program’s history.
The Everglades Foundation team alongside members of their Board of Directors and Chairman Advisory Councils joined stakeholder and organizations including: Audubon, Captains for Clean Water, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, TRCP, Florida International University, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Everglades Law Center, Florida Oceanographic Society, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Audubon Florida, Tropical Audubon, The Orvis Company, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Greater Naples Chamber, South Florida Hispanic Chamber, and many others — representing a diverse coalition of clean water advocates, local chambers, and Florida’s real estate and outdoor recreation sectors.
Economic Study: The Everglades Is a $1 Trillion Asset
A central focus of the week was the unveiling of a groundbreaking economic study conducted by The Everglades Foundation in partnership with Earth Economics. The report, titled “Thriving Everglades, Thriving Economy: Nature’s Value in the Everglades,” is the first comprehensive economic valuation of the ecosystem and conservatively estimates that the Greater Everglades delivers: $1 trillion in ecosystem service value over 50 years. With $31.5 billion annually across key benefits including real estate, tourism, outdoor recreation, drinking water supply, and extreme weather protection.
A Path Forward
With restoration entering a critical decade of project completions and progress, The Everglades Foundation and its partners continue building momentum to ensure America’s Everglades remains a bipartisan national priority.
“This week, we saw the full force of the Everglades restoration movement — from business leaders and scientists to Tribal representatives, environmental advocates, and bipartisan lawmakers — all united by one clear message: restoring America’s Everglades is not only possible, it’s essential,” said Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation. The breadth of voices and the momentum we’ve built in our nation’s capital reflect the growing recognition that Everglades restoration is delivering results and deserves continued investment.”
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.
コメント