Grassroots Activism Award

The Grassroots Activism Award is awarded each year to someone who does exceptional work to engage and educate the community in the name of Everglades restoration. First established to acknowledge the efforts of John Kabler, he gathered thousands of signatures, organized rallies, and knocked on doors across the community to oppose government plans to dump contaminated wastewater from the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident into the Susquehanna River. He monitored legislatures and published voting charts to track support for environmental bills and was one of the first environmental leaders to form alliances with organized labor. He played a crucial role in pushing politicians to protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed before joining Clean Water Action in Dade County, where he became involved in Everglades issues. After meeting George Barley and other conservation leaders in South Florida, John set to work defending the Clean Water Act and advancing restoration. Outstanding community organizers are honored by the Everglades Coalition still today.