Everglades Advocates Converge on Tallahassee for Action Day

TALLAHASSEE, FL – On February 18th, advocates for Everglades restoration gathered at the Florida Capitol for Everglades Action Day (EAD), the annual advocacy event hosted by the Everglades Coalition. The event brought together nonprofit staff, scientists, students and concerned citizens to voice support for critical environmental initiatives.

Southwest Florida Representation

Representing the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Collier County was Tammy Ash, Senior Water Policy Advisor. She joined Allie Pacenka from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), Kyra Sadat Ruben with the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, and Sanibel resident Dr. Vijay Sarthy to form the Lee and Collier County team.

The team met with the offices of Senator Jonathan Martin, Representative Lauren Melo, and Representative Yvette Bennaroch, sharing local concerns and advocating for Everglades protection. All expressed their appreciation for the team’s travel to Tallahassee and their engagement in the legislative process.

Legislative Priorities

During meetings and discussions with legislators and staff, the team emphasized several key priorities, including:

• Fully funding Everglades restoration projects.
• Strengthening protections for Florida’s vital water resources.
• Building resilience into restoration infrastructure to withstand future challenges.
• Advocating for smart growth strategies that protect ecosystems from harmful development.

Ongoing Restoration Efforts

These advocacy efforts build upon recent progress in Everglades restoration. On June 1, 2025, the newly opened C-43 reservoir in Hendry County began storing up to 55 billion gallons of water, or 170,000 acre-feet, from Lake Okeechobee. This project aims to reduce harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee Estuary during the wet season and provide beneficial freshwater flow during the dry season [Conservancy of Southwest Florida]. The C-43 reservoir is a key component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), a state-federal partnership.

Governor DeSantis and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signaled their intent to expedite portions of the construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir in July 2025 [Conservancy of Southwest Florida]. The EAA Reservoir, covering 17,000 acres, is expected to play a crucial role in recharging the Biscayne Aquifer and balancing salinity in Florida Bay.

Conservancy Leadership

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida continues to play a vital role in advocating for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements. Rob Moher, President and CEO of the Conservancy, has led the organization for over a decade, overseeing significant fundraising efforts and strategic initiatives [Conservancy of Southwest Florida]. Tammy Ash, Senior Water Policy Advisor, is a key figure in the Conservancy’s policy efforts [Conservancy of Southwest Florida].

For more information on the Conservancy’s environmental policy efforts, please visit [Conservancy of Southwest Florida].