It's Been 25 Years Since America Decided to Save the Everglades: Where Do We Stand? The Everglades, a vast and unique wetland ecosystem in southern Florida, has long been the subject of intense environmental battles. For much of the 20th century, this natural wonder was viewed as a "wasteland" to be tamed and conquered through extensive drainage, development, and diversion projects. However, a landmark decision 25 years ago marked a turning point in the Everglades' tumultuous history, as the United States government pledged to restore and protect this irreplaceable natural resource. The Everglades' plight in the 20th century was, in many ways, a microcosm of the broader environmental challenges facing the United States. Fueled by a desire for agricultural expansion, flood control, and urban development, a series of ambitious engineering projects dramatically transformed the landscape. Massive canals, levees, and dams were constructed, carving up the Everglades and redirecting its vital water flows. By the 1980s, the once-thriving wetland had been reduced to a mere fraction of its original size, with devastating consequences for the diverse array of plant and animal life that had called it home. In the early 1990s, a growing awareness of the Everglades' ecological importance, coupled with mounting concerns about the long-term sustainability of the region's water resources, prompted a shift in public and political attitudes. In 1996, the U.S. government unveiled the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), a sweeping $8.2 billion initiative aimed at reversing decades of damage and restoring the Everglades to a healthy, functioning ecosystem. The CERP, a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies, outlined a comprehensive strategy to address the complex web of environmental, hydrological, and socioeconomic challenges facing the Everglades. The plan called for the construction of new reservoirs, the removal of unnecessary drainage canals, the restoration of natural water flows, and the protection of critical habitats. The ambitious scope of the CERP underscored the magnitude of the task at hand, as well as the recognition that the Everglades' survival was inextricably linked to the well-being of the broader South Florida region. In the 25 years since the CERP's inception, significant progress has been made, though the journey toward full restoration remains long and arduous. Several key projects have been completed, including the Picayune Strand Restoration Project, which has helped to rehydrate thousands of acres of wetlands, and the Kissimmee River Restoration Project, which has re-established the river's natural meandering course. These successes have demonstrated the potential for the CERP to deliver tangible environmental benefits and have helped to build momentum for the broader restoration effort. However, the Everglades' restoration has also faced numerous challenges and setbacks. Funding shortfalls, bureaucratic red tape, and political gridlock have all conspired to slow the progress of the CERP, with some projects facing long delays or even being scaled back or abandoned altogether. Additionally, the Everglades' complex hydrology and the ongoing threat of climate change have added further layers of complexity to the restoration effort, requiring constant adaptation and innovation. Despite these obstacles, the commitment to saving the Everglades remains strong, both among the public and within the various government agencies and environmental organizations involved in the effort. The Everglades' ecological significance, as well as its importance to the regional economy and the water supply of millions of Floridians, have ensured that the fight to restore this natural wonder will continue. As the 25th anniversary of the CERP's launch approaches, there is a renewed sense of urgency and a recognition that the work is far from over. The Everglades' fate remains closely tied to the broader environmental and political currents shaping the United States, and its future will continue to be shaped by the delicate balance between conservation, development, and the ever-changing demands of a growing population. In the years ahead, the Everglades' restoration will require a sustained, collaborative effort, with stakeholders from all sectors working together to overcome the challenges and capitalize on the successes of the past quarter-century. With the stakes so high and the Everglades' ecological importance so profound, the imperative to protect and restore this natural treasure has never been clearer. The next 25 years will be critical in determining the Everglades' long-term trajectory, and the decisions made today will reverberate for generations to come.