Boyles Everglades / 10,000 islands resort

07/15/2022

07/15/2022

07/15/2022

07/15/2022

05/21/2022

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK _ It was an unlikely scene in a national park established to protect nature: bucket excavators, lumbering dump trucks, and bulldozers, heavy equipment more in place at sprawling construction sites, were rummaging through the muck not far from the park's Ernest F. Coe Visitor...

05/02/2022

It’s !

Rob Morrison, a fifth grade teacher at Lehigh Elementary School in Naples has been bringing his students camping at the Loop Road Environmental Education Center for the past 12 years. His students have the unique opportunity to spend three days and two nights immersed in the ecosystems of the Everglades.

We asked him what he loves about bringing his students camping at the park.

“I love that the students are learning from the moment they wake up in the morning to the time they go to bed in the evening. They are immersed in a completely new environment and their reactions are priceless. This is an educational experience that the students are guaranteed to remember and allows them to become more appreciative to the natural world around them,” said Mr. Morrison.

Thank you to Mr. Morrison and to all of the teachers who work tirelessly to ensure their students are able to excel in their academics through creative, thoughtful, and experiential moments.

If you are interested in learning more about educational opportunities offered at Everglades, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/education/education.htm

Photo courtesy of Rob Morrison

Image: A teacher leads a walk with students through a cypress dome.

04/15/2022

Beginning tomorrow, Everglades National Park joins the rest of the National Park Service in celebration of .

From April 16-24, 2022, watch for different opportunities to at NPS sites across the country. Visitors to these national treasures can explore amazing places, lend a helping hand, and discover stories of nature and culture.

On Saturday, April 16, we invite you to at Everglades National Park (or your local national park) without having to pay an entrance fee.

In addition to our regularly scheduled programs, we also have some great National Park Week happenings. Please visit: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/national-park-week-april-16-24.htm

Graphic designed by the National Park Service

03/27/2022

Hidden in the trees at Royal Palm is the last remaining structure built by the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs (FFWC).

Established in 1895, the FFWC worked with local and statewide social movements in several areas including education, prohibition, and conservation. Seeing the increasing real estate development in south Florida as a threat to the Everglades, the FFWC convinced the State of Florida to donate 960 acres located in Paradise Key in 1915. Mrs. Henry Flagler donated an additional 960 acres as well. The FFWC’s intention was to protect this unique environment for future generations.

That same year, the FFWC started a “Mile of Dimes” campaign to raise money to fund upkeep at Paradise Key, a condition of their agreement with the State of Florida to act as custodians of the land. They sent foot-long strips with slots for coins to women’s clubs throughout the state with the intention of raising a “Mile of Dimes”. While this campaign was not a successful undertaking, it shows the clever dedication of the members of the FFWC.

A year later in November of 1916, Paradise Key was dedicated as Royal Palm State Park.

The FFWC also developed the Royal Palm Lodge on-site to encourage visitors to come to the area and create connections with the Everglades. At the lodge, there was even a white tail deer feeding station and holding pen. Many park visitors of the 1930's describe the deer and visit to Royal Palm as a memorable experience.

After years of changes and the establishment of a national park, the deer feeding station is the only remaining structure from the original Royal Palm State Park and is a testament to the work undertaken by women to establish and preserve this special place. While access to the deer feeding station isn’t restricted to visitors, the station is rather difficult to find, so we encourage interested individuals to speak with a park ranger about it.

Next time you’re in the park think of what other stories may be hidden from view.

NPS photo

03/21/2022

Another beautiful March day in the Everglades