Conservationist Award

The Conservationist Award was first established to honor George Barley for his tenacious and passionate effort to restore the Everglades. An avid fisher who was troubled by changes he saw firsthand in the waters of Florida Bay, he borrowed a friend’s small plane and, over the course of several months, took more than 1,000 people on flights over the Everglades to see and understand the needs of the ecosystem. He convinced dozens of journalists to visit Florida Bay and bring back the story of its destruction to citizens and elected leaders and bringing the national eye to the need to restore America’s Everglades.

Ultimately, these efforts set the wheels in motion for CERP authorization. Today, the Everglades Coalition continues to honor a conservationist who demonstrates passion and ingenuity in his/her quest to protect and restore the Everglades.