Wilderness

Wilderness

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, Everglades National Park and its partners proudly hosted the Everglades Wilderness Writing Expedition! This program engaged 10 aspiring writers and journalists, ages 18-25, on an exploration of wilderness, self-discovery and environmental writing. These aspiring writers embarked on the journey of a lifetime to discover the beauty and complexity of the Everglades wilderness.

Monday, September 22, 2014

The Excitment is Building!

 The application window has closed, and our selections have been made! Ten students reigning from Florida International University, University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, and Miami Dade College have been selected to participate in the wilderness writing expedition!
When asked in the application “What do you think of when you hear the word “Wilderness?” their answers ranged from “Lions and Tigers and Bear, oh My!” to quoting Henry David Thoreau. A spectrum of answers yet all the students had one commonality: they are all searching for an experience that removes them from traffic, cars, noise, smog and other urban norms. They all want to experience “wilderness”, and not just any wilderness, but the one that exists right in their community; the Everglades.
 On October 2nd, 2014 the students selected will officially be unveiled at a reception held in their honor. The event will take place at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Coral Gables at 7pm. The reception will feature Keynote Speaker Michael Grunwald and guest speaker Audrey Peterman. Refreshments and Hors D’hoeuvres will be provided courtesy of the South Florida National Parks Trust and by the Guerra Family of Sedano’s Grocery Store.  The event is by invitation only. If you are interested in being added to our guest list please contact Sabrina_diaz@nps.gov.
A special thanks to Allan Richards of FIU, Bruce Garrison of UM and Neil Santaniello of FAU for their assistance with student recruitment.

1 comment:

  1. I am almost tearful with joy that these young people desire to experience wilderness, and particularly the Everglades in our own backyards. So much depends upon the health of this world-class, unique ecosystem - the drinking water supply for South Florida's burgeoning population, the future of our wildlife and moreover, the Everglades, like Mount Denali in Alaska, is the engine of our environment..who says you have to die to go to heaven? I'm in heaven right now!

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