A various coalition converged in Naples from January 28-30 to have fun and study from one another as we proceed to revive and shield the Everglades. The convention is the most important annual discussion board targeted on Everglades restoration — a time to trade data and align priorities inside the neighborhood.
The Audubon crew was a significant pressure on the occasion. The crew ran an Audubon-hosted lunch with remarks from Vice President of Habitat Conservation and Water Conservation Julie Hill-Gabriel, in addition to a keynote tackle by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Senior Everglades Coverage Supervisor McKee Grey served as an professional panelist on the opening session, “Restoration within the Shadow of Sprawl,” targeted on the impacts of final yr’s Senate Invoice 180. Whereas meant to help in catastrophe restoration, Senate Invoice 180 limits native governments’ capacity to strengthen land use and environmental protections, thereby undermining coordinated, long-term efforts wanted to revive and shield the Everglades.
On day two, Senior Coverage Director Beth Alvi moderated a vigorous dialogue on the “Past CERP: Fixing Lake Okeechobee’s Future” panel. The panel highlighted the important want for restoration north of Lake Okeechobee to be able to seize, retailer, and clear water earlier than it flows south. With out these upstream initiatives, extra nutrient air pollution and erratic water releases proceed to disrupt ecosystems downstream, undermining the broader targets of Everglades restoration.
Extra panels on the occasion targeted on enhancing water high quality and decreasing dangerous discharges to estuaries via the BMAP program, defending important habitat for the Florida panther, and strengthening resilience within the face of local weather change and sea stage rise. The convention proved to be successful and bolstered the significance of transparency, science-based decision-making, and public engagement in Everglades restoration.
Article first appeared in the Spring 2026 State of the Everglades report.
