7 Dynamic Ways to Take Action for the Everglades!
Welcome to the last week of Earth Month! So far this April, we have explored Seminole perspectives to a shifting Everglades environment, given a sneak peek to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum’s incredible Earth Day the Native Way event, and looked at Seminoles in Action –highlighting how the Seminole Tribe of Florida and today’s Seminole climate activists are working to protect and restore their homelands.
Today, we will explore practical, impactful ways that everyone can implement toward protecting and preserving our precious Everglades environment. It is incredibly important that everyone becomes educated, involved, and passionate about climate action, as we face increasing climate uncertainty. Follow along for seven ways that you can make a positive impact on our fragile Florida ecosystem.
Uplift Native Voices in the Fight for Climate Action
Like we have discussed, many Seminole and Native people find their identities, experiences, and way of life intimately linked with the environment. Use your voice and influence to spotlight the environmental challenges that affect Indigenous communities and their lands. Support their climate efforts by staying informed through Indigenous-led news and learning about the environmental threats they face. Rather than speaking for them, amplify their voices and leadership in the fight for climate justice and land protection.
Get Outside and Get Active
Last week, we shared multiple perspectives from Seminoles in action in the climate fight. These include those who were a part of the WEDU PBS produced documentary titled “Good Natured” which tackled the heavy topic of climate change in the Florida ecosystem. Krystle Bowers, the STOF Environmental Protection Office Assistant Director, shared that “You see how everything is interconnected when you’re in nature more. Maybe people don’t understand how much people impact the environment….Once you go out and you see how much has disappeared and not come back, I think you really start to appreciate it more and fear what else could be lost.”
Thus, in order to combat things that are poisoning and killing our environment, it is increasingly necessary that we break down the disconnect between us and where we live. Those who are disconnected from the world around them will miss what is glaringly obvious to others. Our environment needs help. And the first step is incredibly easy: get outside! Instead of staying disconnected, seek out connections with our natural world. Make visiting local parks, nature preserves, trails, and conservation areas a weekend family event. Participate in local clean up events and talk to the people around you about what they are doing.
Garden Mindfully
Looking to reconnect with the Earth by building your own garden? Gardening is a powerful way to live more sustainably and reduce your carbon footprint—especially when done mindfully. Start by choosing native and drought-resistant plants suited to your local climate and design your garden to conserve water through techniques like mulching or installing rainwater catchment systems.
Grow your own food and choose edible plants that are well adapted to your soil conditions, county, and USDA Zone. Growing your own food means fewer miles traveled, less packaging waste, and more self-sufficiency—those peppers from your backyard only travel a few feet, unlike store-bought ones that are shipped long distances. Composting food scraps and yard waste further supports your garden while reducing methane emissions and landfill waste. By nurturing your own green space, you’re not just growing plants—you’re building a deeper connection with the environment and taking real action for the climate.
Get Local
Creating lasting environmental change often starts with small, intentional shifts in our daily habits—and those seemingly minor choices can lead to big impacts over time. One powerful yet simple way to live more sustainably is by investing in your local community. Supporting nearby farmers, cooperatives, and independently owned businesses reduces the environmental cost of transporting goods long distances, cutting down on fuel use, packaging waste, and emissions.
Just like the homegrown peppers we mentioned above that only travel a few feet instead of miles, locally sourced products follow a lighter path to your door. Plus, when you contribute to the local economy and engage with community groups, you strengthen the networks that help build climate resilience from the ground up. Rooted, connected communities are not only at the heart of lasting environmental progress, but they are also the most resilient when faced with outside pressures, disasters, and other calamities.
Stretch Your Legs
Cars make life easier—especially when it comes to commuting or running errands. But even small shifts away from driving can have a meaningful impact over time. What if you chose to walk, bike, or take public transit just once a week? Replacing even one car trip with a more active alternative not only cuts down on emissions and fossil fuel use but also builds healthier habits for your body and mind. It might not seem like much in the moment, but when walking or biking becomes part of your regular routine, those changes add up—contributing to a cleaner environment and a more active lifestyle. Sometimes, the path to a more sustainable future starts with a single step—literally.
Prioritize Native Plants and Animals
Also featured in the WEDU PBS documentary titled “Good Natured” was STOF Program Analyst Joseph John “JJ”. He grew up fishing on the canals and lake on the reservation with his grandfather. During his interview, JJ touched on something that is a big problem in Florida: invasive species. “I remember growing up and being able to fish on the canals and pull out native fish and eat them, but now most of its invasive species,” he shared.
The Nature Conservancy, an environmental non-profit, notes that Florida in particular is disproportionally affected by non-native species. “Because Florida’s climate is so hospitable, invasive species cause more of a crisis here than anywhere else in the continental United States. The fact that Florida is the world leader in the reptile trade and serves as point of entry for almost three-fourths of all plants imported into the U.S., compounds the problem,” they share. “All of Florida’s native habitats—marine, freshwater and terrestrial—are threatened by invasive species. The cost of managing Florida’s invasive plants alone is estimated at $100 million each year; the cost of animal management could easily exceed this.”
Invasive species can decimate a local environment and take over. A simple way that everyone can help is to recognize the problem of invasive species and take local action. On your own property, prioritize native plants that attract and support pollinators like butterflies, birds, bats, and bees. Support invasive species removal programs, like those that cull the python population in the Everglades. It may seem silly during winter when iguanas start dropping out of trees. But remember that these non-native lizards can have a huge impact on our local environment. By planting and caring for native species, and stopping the explosive growth of invasive species, we can protect our ecosystem.
Vote
One of the most impactful ways to care for our environment is by voting—and by staying informed about the climate policies that shape our future, both locally and nationally. The decisions made by elected officials influence everything from clean energy initiatives to environmental protections and community resilience. That’s why your vote matters.
We urge you to take part in every election you can. Learn about the candidates, research the issues, and support the causes and campaigns that reflect your values and hopes for a healthier planet. When you show up—whether at the ballot box, in a community meeting, or by signing a petition—you’re helping to build a better, more sustainable world.
Each of us has the potential to be a climate advocate. The power to spark change doesn’t just lie with politicians or large organizations—it lies with individuals like you. Are you ready to raise your voice, take action, and help shape the future?
Need More?
Interested in more resources, getting involved, or volunteering? Check out the list below for Florida centered conservation and climate action groups.
Florida Defenders of the Environment
Author Bio
Originally from Washington state, Deanna Butler received her BA in Archaeological Sciences from the University of Washington in 2014. Deanna moved to Florida in 2016. Soon, she began working for the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Deanna was the THPO’s Archaeological Collections Assistant from 2017-2021. While at the THPO, Deanna worked to preserve, support, and process the Tribe’s archaeological collection. She often wrote the popular Artifact of the Month series and worked on many community and educational outreach programs. She lives in Lakeland, FL with her husband, two sons, and dog.
