STUART, Fla. - s4story -- Friends of the Everglades welcomed nearly 300 environmental advocates, community leaders and supporters to the fifth annual Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration Luncheon on March 20 at the Historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.

Guided by this year's theme, "Rescuing the River of Grass," the luncheon underscored the continued need to expand water storage, treatment and capacity within the Everglades Agricultural Area while honoring Marjory Stoneman Douglas' legacy to protect America's Everglades.

Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and New York Times bestselling author, delivered the keynote address. Barry, whose syndicated humor column appeared in more than 500 newspapers worldwide, offered perspective on today's environmental challenges while reinforcing the importance of sustaining public awareness around the future of the Everglades.

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During the program, Friends of the Everglades presented the 2026 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Defender of the Everglades Award to Jessica Namath, founder of Floridians for Public Lands. A respected grassroots advocate, Namath has played a central role in mobilizing public support to protect Florida's state parks and public lands from development pressures. Through her leadership, she has helped inform and engage thousands of Floridians in conservation efforts across the state, reinforcing the importance of civic participation in safeguarding natural spaces.

Event remarks also highlighted Friends of the Everglades' policy, legal and education initiatives while recognizing board leadership, scholarship supporters and longtime conservation advocates.

Keystone Sponsors included Kiplinger Family Foundation and Barbara & Alan Pareira. Cypress Sponsors included Portia Culley – J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Traba Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, and Kellie & Richard Trotta. Mangrove Sponsors included Alan Farago, Feil Lewin Family Office, The Land Trust of Dade County, Honorable Cindy Lerner, The Samara Fund, Skiff & Company Landscaping, Inc., and Hold the Line Coalition.

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Founded in 1969 by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Friends of the Everglades continues its mission today to preserve and protect America's Everglades through education, advocacy and accountability.

To learn more about Friends of the Everglades and the 2026 Legacy Celebration, visit https://www.everglades.org/msdlc26.

About Friends of the Everglades

Friends of the Everglades was founded in 1969 by journalist, author and environmental activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is dedicated to preserving America's Everglades and its interconnected ecosystems. It works to protect the area by encouraging politicians to uphold environmental laws and by spreading awareness of the importance of the Everglades. For more information, visit Everglades.org (https://www.everglades.org/).