About Us
The Everglades Coalition is an alliance of 53 local, state and national conservation and environmental organizations dedicated to full restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem, from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes into Lake Okeechobee, through the "River of Grass", out to Florida Bay and the Keys. Through consensus the Everglades Coalition is dedicated to:
- Advocating for the restoration, protection and enhancement of the greater Everglades ecosystem;
- Supporting and providing education and public understanding regarding all aspects of the Everglades ecosystem;
- Supporting and sponsoring research in the protection, restoration and enhancement of the Everglades ecosystem;
- Facilitating the coordination of information resources, strategies and efforts among Everglades Coalition members.
The Coalition works in the public arena to inform decision-makers on the collective
view of the conservation community regarding the greater Everglades ecosystem.
Some of the tools used by the Coalition include policy papers, comparisons
of proposed policy decisions focused on sound science, and public comments
on critical aspects of restoration.
Two Co-Chairs lead the Everglades Coalition, are authorized to speak on its
behalf and are elected by Coalition members on an annual basis. A Board
of Directors serves the Coalition and is responsible for the general management
of the business affairs and property of the Coalition. Members of the
Board of Directors are elected for a term of two years.
The 2010-2011 Everglades Coalition Co-Chairs are:
- Julie Hill-Gabriel, National Audubon Society
- Mark Perry, Florida Oceanographic Society
The 2010-2011 Everglades Coalition Board of Directors are:
- Michael Chenoweth, Izaak Walton League of America
- Richard Grosso, Everglades Law Center
- Malia Hale, National Wildlife Federation
- Jennifer Hecker, Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Laurie MacDonald, Defenders of Wildlife
- Laura Reynolds, Tropical Audubon Society
- Dawn Shirreffs, Clean Water Action
Annual Coalition Conference
The Coalition's Annual Conference seeks to raise critical, timely issues for in-depth debates in an open, accessible forum. Community leaders and political figures come to discuss their positions, pledge their support and offer challenges to the community. The conference is attended by decision-makers from federal, state, local and tribal governments, agency representatives, stakeholders and a vast array of public and private interests including scientists, educators, contractors, conservationists, the media, students and the general public. The conference is the largest annual forum for debate of Everglades conservation and restoration.
Everglades Coalition Awards
The Everglades Coalition presents awards to individuals for their efforts to protect and restore the Everglades. In 1996, the Coalition began presenting annual awards in honor of individuals who made outstanding contributions on behalf of the Everglades and confers these awards to those who mirror the ideals and accomplishments of the award namesake. For a complete listing of the awards, click here.