Everglades National Park

• Who lived in the Everglades before European explorers arrived?
  • Long before being discovered by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, the region now known as the Everglades was populated by several distinct indigenous peoples, including the Calusa, Tequesta, Jega, and Ais communities, who were all non-agrarian and fed off the land by fishing and foraging.
• What happened to the indigenous peoples of the Everglades?
  • These people, who were understood to have been dominated by the Calusa and had lived in the area for some 15,000 years before the colonialists arrived, almost completely disappeared with the arrival of the Europeans due to the spread of western illnesses.
• What are the Calusa known for?
  • The Calusa were recognized for their intricate and sophisticated shell work, the uses of which are not known or documented.
• How did the Calusa use shells?
  • It is understood that the Calusa made not only objects with shells but also architecture and borders between territories using bits and pieces of shells from the water.
• What kind of society did the Calusa have?
  • The Calusa are known to have espoused sophisticated religious traditions and social hierarchies.
• Who were the Gladesmen?
  • From some time in the 19th century, a sub-culture of land purveyors, known as Gladesmen, began to develop in the region.
• What role did the Everglades play in colonial wars?
  • The area was the focus and context of a number of colonialist wars between the 16th century and the late 17th century.
• How did the Gladesmen adapt to the Everglades?
  • The Gladesmen, for whom the park is named, were a group of American sons and husbands who, after the territorial wars, empowered themselves by learning the currents of the land and how to maintain it.
• How did the Gladesmen survive?
  • They were men who learned how to survive in this landscape for long periods without the need for outside sustenance. They discovered the temperamental nature of the environment and learned to respect it and live within it.
• Why were the Gladesmen called by that name?
  • The Gladesmen were named as such because of glade skiffs, which were the narrow boats they made in order to travel through the wetlands.
• What happened to the Gladesmen as the Everglades changed?
  • As the Everglades became more formalized as a landscape entity—once being 50% bigger than it is today—the Gladesmen continued to flourish through the generations.
• What is the role of modern-day Gladesmen?
  • The current generation of Gladesmen is still the spiritual stewards of the national park, albeit with some of their living patterns circumscribed by the park’s regulations and its protection as a heritage facility.

• When did efforts to drain the Everglades begin?
  • From 1905, attempts were made by landowners and early Americans to drain the Everglades and farm it so that people could live there.
• How did draining the Everglades impact Florida's development?
  • These successful initiatives led to a booming real estate market in Florida and the establishment of new towns in the 1920s, including Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.
• What was the consequence of these developments?
  • As canals, roads, and bridges were incised into the landscape, the older communities were disrupted, and the natural environment was changed forever.
• What industries developed in the Everglades after 1910?
  • From 1910, parts of the area became known for the production of coal from Buttonwood trees, sugarcane farming, and the use of bird plumage for fashion accessories.
• Why was the Everglades difficult to develop?
  • The evolution of these regions from wetlands was challenging due to the presence of mosquitoes and other natural irritants, as well as political issues surrounding the land.
• What makes the Everglades unique as a wetland?
  • The Everglades is a genuine wetland that exists over a natural drainage basin and a neotropic ecozone, featuring lakes, rivers, and streams that are astonishing to see.
• When did conservation efforts begin for the Everglades?
  • From the 1970s, awareness of commercial encroachment led UNESCO, in conjunction with the Ramsar Convention, to designate the Everglades as a Wetland Area of National Importance.
• What actions were taken to protect the Everglades?
  • Following its designation, various constructions, including an airport and a canal, were removed due to their significant encroachment on the area.
• What ecosystems are being preserved in the Everglades?
  • Ongoing research focuses on maintaining the six living ecosystems of the Everglades:
  • Sawgrass marshes and sloughs
  • Tropical hardwood
  • Pines
  • Cypresses
  • Mangroves and coastal prairie
  • Florida Bay

• How many visitor centers does Everglades National Park have?
  • Everglades National Park boasts four fully equipped and competently staffed visitor centers located in the towns of Homestead, Miami, and Florida, situated on the park’s borders.
• Why is it important to visit a visitor center first?
  • It is imperative to include a visitor center as your starting point to gain your bearings, equip yourself, and plan your trip accordingly.
• What does the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center offer?
  • The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, near the park’s Homestead entrance, offers:
  • A sophisticated array of educational films and art.
  • A general store that sells maps, snacks, and camping necessities.
  • Open every day of the year until 5 pm.
• What facilities are available at the Flamingo Visitor Center?
  • Located in Miami, the Flamingo Visitor Center offers:
  • A sit-down restaurant, though it does not stock all hiking essentials.
  • Insights into Everglades’ canoeing and walking trails.
  • Visitors should bring their own drinking water and other basic necessities.
• What should visitors know about the Shark Valley Visitor Center?
  • The Shark Valley Visitor Center, also in Miami, offers basic amenities, but those using public transport, particularly Uber, may experience difficulty accessing it.
• Which visitor center is best for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands?
  • To explore the famous Ten Thousand Islands, visitors should enter through the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, the nearest access point from Florida.
• What amenities are available at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center?
  • The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is fully equipped with all the necessary amenities, supplies, and information for visitors exploring this area.

• When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?
  • Your visit to Everglades National Park is largely determined by the weather and the time of year.
  • For the best experience and to see the myriads of wading birds, visit during the dry season from November to March.
• What are the seasons in the Everglades?
  • The Everglades experiences two primary seasons:
  • Dry season (November–March) – Ideal for visitors.
  • Wet season (April–November) – Heavily populated by insects, making it less popular for tourists.
• What activities can visitors enjoy in Everglades National Park?
  • Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, canoeing, biking, and fishing.
• What other attractions are near the Everglades?
  • Nearby attractions include:
  • Dry Tortugas National Park in Mexico.
  • Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida.
  • Biscayne National Park in Florida.
• What precautions should visitors take in the Everglades?
  • Visitors should exercise vigilance and respect for the unspoiled natural environment.
  • Be aware of vultures that are attracted to vehicle insulation, windscreen wipers, and sunroof insulation.
  • Protect your vehicle by parking in direct sun and covering windshields and sunroofs with a tarpaulin or wet towel.
• How should visitors handle alligator encounters?
  • Alligators are generally more afraid of humans, but they are still massive predators.
  • Maintain a 15-to-20 foot distance from any wild animal.
  • Do not swim, dive, or snorkel in streams, rivers, or freshwater lakes in the park.
• What are the park’s operating hours?
  • The park does not close at night, and visitors will not be locked in.
  • However, the access points are only staffed until 6 pm every night of the year.
• Are there lodging facilities in Everglades National Park?
  • There are no formal lodging facilities in the park, but there are two campsites:
  • Long Pine Key campsite – Near Homestead.
  • Flamingo campsite – Located 38 miles from the Homestead gate, where visitors can set up tents for a nominal fee.
• Where can visitors find a map of the park?
  • A map of Everglades National Park can be found here.

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