80 years after Marjory’s book, an opportunity to finally ‘Rescue the River of Grass’

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ book, The Everglades: River of Grass — a lyrical and eye-opening text that shifted the world’s perception of the Everglades from a swampy wasteland to a national treasure.

In the very last sentence of her book, Marjory issued a clarion call that remains resonant today. She wrote:

“Perhaps even in this last hour, in a new relation of usefulness and beauty, the vast, magnificent, subtle and unique region of the Everglades may not be utterly lost.”

Eight decades later, the Everglades face accelerating threats — and we have a time-sensitive opportunity to advance a lasting solution.

Sea levels have risen approximately 8 inches in Miami since Marjory’s book was published, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). King tides that have flooded South Florida’s streets this fall are intensifying because of rising seas.

Making matters worse, an intense El Niño is forecast to double or triple Miami’s rainfall this “dry” season, due to unusually warm equatorial ocean waters.

We have entered an era of climate extremes. Restoring the Everglades is the key to surviving it.

The good news is a solution is at hand.

Scientists have long agreed that the key to lasting Everglades restoration is more land for water storage and cleansing marshes south of Lake Okeechobee. Acquiring 100,000 acres to restore and reconnect the still-severed River of Grass would bring historic benefits to our entire region. The “Rescue the River of Grass” solution would:

• Send adequate amounts of clean water south to Everglades National Park and Biscayne Bay;
• Protect South Florida’s water supply from saltwater intrusion;
• Achieve court-ordered phosphorus pollution limits for the Everglades;
• Prevent harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and Lake Worth Lagoon — which have been plagued by toxic algae;
• Create new habitat for wildlife and outdoors enthusiasts;
• Make a more resilient South Florida in the face of sea level rise and climate extremes.

That last point — a more resilient South Florida — is top of mind now, as we endure flooded streets and poor water quality from this fall’s king tides. More than half of the Everglades have been lost to drainage and development over the past century. Recreating more nature-based water storage and treatment is essential to our survival.

The even better news: Money is available in state coffers to pay for this solution.

In 2014, on the heels of a statewide water crisis, an astounding 75% of Florida voters said “yes” to a constitutional amendment for environmental land acquisition. As a result, one-third of documentary stamp revenue on real estate transactions is sent to the state’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund for environmental initiatives through 2034.

That doc stamp revenue is bringing more than $1 billion a year into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. This money is Floridians’ money for environmental land purchases — and there is no greater bang for our buck than buying land south of Lake Okeechobee.

Friends of the Everglades and our allies have hosted town hall events across the state to build political will for this solution. More than 40,000 people have signed the Rescue the River of Grass petition that calls on lawmakers to finally buy land needed to restore the Everglades. You can sign, too, at Everglades.org/Rescue.

The 80th anniversary of Marjory’s book in 2027 will coincide with the 80th anniversary of Everglades National Park. There’s no better way to celebrate both than to Rescue the River of Grass.