Born on January 7, 1890, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Marjory Stoneman Douglas moved to South Florida in 1915, a place that would forever be tied to her legacy. At a time when women’s voices were often dismissed in policy and conservation, Douglas became one of Florida’s most influential environmental advocates. Settling in Miami during its early boom years, she worked as a journalist, author, and activist, dedicating decades to defending the Florida Everglades—the vast, slow-moving wetlands she famously described as “a river of grass.” Her work laid the foundation for the modern conservation movement, proving that one determined woman could change the course of environmental history.
Douglas’s groundbreaking book The Everglades: River of Grass, published in 1947, transformed how people viewed this vast wetland. Douglas redefined the overlooked area as a critical, living ecosystem, home to countless species of plants and wildlife, including wading birds, alligators, and rare orchids. Her tireless efforts to protect the region spanned nearly half a century, including leading the charge against the drainage and degradation of the wetlands. At a time when women were often overlooked in leadership, Douglas became a fearless advocate, inspiring a generation of environmentalists and earning the nickname “Grande Dame of the Everglades.”
Her legacy lives on in every acre of the Everglades that remains protected today. Thanks to Douglas, species like the wood stork, roseate spoonbill, and the endangered Florida panther still call this vital habitat home. Her work laid the foundation for what would become Everglades National Park and sparked ongoing restoration efforts to undo decades of environmental damage.
At the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, we proudly continue Douglas’s fight to preserve Florida’s wild spaces. Our initiatives to conserve Florida’s wildlife and combat invasive species are critical to the Everglades’ health, from efforts to remove invasive Burmese pythons to programs protecting endangered birds and native plants.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas spent her life championing a cause bigger than herself, ensuring the Everglades would endure for future generations. To honor her legacy, include our Foundation in your planned gift. You too can leave a wild legacy, ensuring future generations of Floridians can experience the state that you and Douglas cherish.
