Everglades Foundation rallies support for restoration in Washington

The Everglades Foundation brought supporters, lawmakers and environmental advocates to Washington, D.C., for two days of events focused on Everglades restoration. The trip highlighted bipartisan backing, federal investment and a reservoir project expected to move five years faster under cooperation with Florida and the Trump administration. Why it matters: - Everglades restoration affects the source of drinking water for millions of people. - The project also supports a trillion-dollar economic asset tied to South Florida. - The foundation framed the effort as proof that restoration is working and worth continued federal support. What happened: - The Everglades Foundation hosted two days of events in Washington, D.C., bringing dozens of partners, board members and clean water advocates to the capital. - On Tuesday evening, supporters gathered for the America’s Everglades Dinner at the National Archives Museum. - On Wednesday, 75 Foundation supporters and environmental partners held meetings on Capitol Hill after a breakfast briefing. - The group met with members of the bipartisan Florida delegation and other lawmakers from across the country. The details: - The dinner took place at the National Archives Museum, home to the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. - The event carried added significance ahead of America’s 250th anniversary of independence. - Remarks at the dinner highlighted federal commitment to restoration and the Trump administration’s collaboration with the State of Florida. - That collaboration is aimed at speeding completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir by five years. - U.S. Representative Brian Mast delivered closing remarks and emphasized Congressional support for restoration. - The Everglades Foundation gave the 2026 America’s Everglades Champion Award to U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. - Diaz-Balart is the Dean of Florida’s Congressional delegation and Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. - Wasserman Schultz is a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee and its Energy and Water subcommittees. - The foundation said both lawmakers helped secure billions of dollars in critical restoration funding through bipartisan leadership. - Foundation teams met with dozens of elected officials and staff during the Capitol Hill outreach. Between the lines: - The event was designed to show that Everglades restoration has unusual bipartisan support in a polarized Congress. - Honoring lawmakers from both parties reinforced the message that water and restoration policy can still draw broad agreement. - The timing in Washington suggests the foundation is pushing to keep federal attention and funding focused on projects already in motion. What’s next: - The Everglades Foundation is likely to keep pressing Congress and federal agencies to maintain funding and speed project delivery. - The reservoir timeline change could become a key benchmark for measuring whether restoration momentum continues. - The foundation will continue using science, advocacy and education to build support for restoration and protection of America’s Everglades. The bottom line: - The Everglades Foundation used a high-profile Washington swing to argue that restoration is delivering results and deserves continued bipartisan backing.