Program Partners and Sponsors

Everglades National Park:

The Everglades Wilderness Writing Expedition was created, designed and coordinated by park staff at Everglades National Park in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Everglades National Park is home to the largest designated wilderness area east of the Rocky Mountains. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness Area in Everglades is named after the acclaimed writer and conservationists Marjory Stoneman Douglas. In 1947 Douglas published a book entitled "River of Grass" which profoundly changed how people viewed the Everglades. Over the years Douglas wrote hundreds of articles about the preservation of the Everglades. Today she is known as the "Mother of the Everglades. The complexity, beauty and uniqueness of the Everglades has inspired writers from all over the world. The staff of Everglades National Park designed this program with goals of inspiring the next generation of environmental writers.

National Park Foundation:

Everglades National Park is one of 39 national parks selected to receive a 2014 America’s Best Idea grant from National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. Inspired by Ken Burns’ critically acclaimed documentary "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” this program builds partnerships between national parks and community, state, and other public organizations, and engages diverse audiences in meaningful and relevant ways with national parks and inspires participants to become stewards of our National Park System. Without the generous support of the National Park Foundation this program would not be possible.  

South Florida National Parks Trust:

The South Florida National Parks Trust was founded in 2002 to improve the quality of life in South Florida by supporting national parks that define our landscape and enrich our culture. The Trust plays a critical role in this project through their generous donation to support the costs associated with this program.

NC Outward Bound School:

North Carolina Outward Bound School is a non- for- profit organization who has been leading challenging wilderness adventures for over 40 years. The unique programs offered in the Everglades teach more than just outdoor skills. Their expertise in leading groups of young adults on paddling expeditions into the Everglades wilderness made them a natural fit for this program. Skilled staff from NCOBS will be leading the multi night expedition.

AIRIE Inc.:

AIRIE (Artist-In-Residence-In-Everglades) was born in 2001 when the $8 billion Everglades restoration bill had been passed by the U. S. Congress. Painter and former arts administrator Donna Marxer thought it would be a good idea for artists and writers to become a part of this new interest in one of the most compelling and environmentally endangered parts of our nation. With the full cooperation of Everglades National Park, she started a program by which qualified professionals in arts and letters could reside in the Park for a month and create unimpeded in the wilderness setting. AIRIE will be assisting the in the selection of student writers and with creating the final written work art exhibit. Writer, Naturalist and Former AIRIE fellow, Anne MCrary Sullivan, will be co-creating and leading the writing elements of this project.

Local Universities:

We are thrilled to have to support of Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and the University of Miami. All three Universities will assist with student recruitment and promotion. Florida International University will also be donating a beautiful space at their Biscayne Campus for the wilderness writing post panel discussion in November.

South Dade NEWSLEADER:

The South Dade NEWSLEADER is a local South Florida Newspaper who has generously agreed to publish some of the written work from the student writers so that their written works may inspire and educate our local community about Wilderness and the Everglades.

Fairchild Tropical Gardens:

For over ten years Everglades National Park and Fairchild Tropical Gardens have shared a wonderful partnership that mutually benefits both organizations as well as the South Florida community. Fairchild Tropical Gardens has generously donated the use of space for the Everglades Wilderness Writing Expedition Reception on October 2nd, 2014 at 7pm.

Sedanos

The Guerra Family of Sedanos will be sponsoring the Everglades Wilderness Expedition Reception at Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Their generous donation will provide some delicious Hor D'Oeuvres at the
event!