Role of the Coalition

Through consensus the Everglades Coalition will:

• Advocate for the restoration, protection and enhancement of the greater Everglades ecosystem;
• Support and provide education and public understanding regarding all aspects of the Everglades ecosystem;
• Support and sponsor research in the protection, restoration and enhancement of the Everglades ecosystem; and
• Facilitate the coordination of information resources, strategies and efforts among Everglades Coalition members.

The Coalition works in the public arena to inform decisionmakers 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, as identified in our Vision Statement.

Who Speaks For The Coalition?

Two co-chairs lead the Everglades Coalition and are authorized to speak on its behalf. These co-chairs are elected by a majority of the members on an annual basis. In addition to maintaining communication with Coalition members, the co-chairs sign letters, organize meetings, deliver testimony, and coordinate issue teams that focus on pressing issues. Coalition policy and advocacy positions are developed by these issue teams and approved by the entire Coalition.

The 2006-2007 Co-Chairs are John Adornato III, Everglades Restoration Program Manager, Sun Coast Region, National Parks Conservation Association and Mark Perry, Executive Director, Florida Oceanographic Society.

Annual Coalition Conference

The Coalition's annual conference seeks to raise critical, timely issues to the surface for indepth debates in an open, accessible forum. Senators, Members of Congress, and political figures come to discuss their positions, pledge their support and offer challenges to the community. The conference is attended by decisionmakers 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.