Following the success of last summer’s symposium, the Everglades Foundation once again brought dozens of partners, board members, and clean water advocates to Washington, D.C., for a two-day celebration and dialogue in support of America’s Everglades.
Everglades supporters gathered for America’s Everglades Dinner, held at one of the most iconic locations in the nation’s capital: the National Archives, home to the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Attendees at the dinner commemorating America’s 250th anniversary said they felt the evening had special meaning.
American Everglades advocates are very pleased with the federal government’s continued restoration efforts, including the Trump administration’s collaboration with the state of Florida to speed up the completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir by five years.
The dinner concluded with closing remarks from U.S. Representative Brian Mast, who reinforced Congress’ strong support for Everglades restoration.
This year, the Everglades Foundation was also proud to present the 2026 America’s Everglades Champion Award to two longtime Everglades supporters who have helped advance restoration with bipartisan leadership. U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), chairman of Florida’s congressional delegation and vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Energy and Water Subcommittee, were recognized for their bipartisan leadership in helping secure billions of dollars in critical recovery funding.
Also during the two-day event, 75 Everglades Foundation supporters and their environmental partners met with members of Congress from the House and Senate sides and held a full day of meetings with a bipartisan Florida delegation and members of Congress from across the country.
The team met with dozens of elected officials and their staff to celebrate historic bipartisan support that helped restore and protect drinking water sources for millions of people and trillions of dollars in economic assets.
“The message on the hill is simple and poignant: The restoration is underway and it’s worth it,” said Eric Eichenberg, CEO of the Everglades Foundation.
