Transforming Perceptions About the Everglades and Wetlands

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we honor the remarkable contributions of women who have shaped the planning profession. Among them stands Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a journalist, conservationist, and advocate whose work transformed the public's perception of wetlands and reshaped how planners approach environmental stewardship. Douglas' groundbreaking advocacy for the Everglades preserved its vital ecosystems and influenced sustainable urban planning practices that continue to guide communities today.

For much of the early 20th century, developers and policymakers saw Florida's Everglades as a wasteland and a barrier to progress, pushing to drain and reclaim the land for agriculture and urban expansion. Douglas, however, saw the Everglades for what they truly were: a complex and fragile ecosystem essential for biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience. Her book, The Everglades: River of Grass, published in 1947, reframed the wetlands as a dynamic and irreplaceable ecosystem, challenging the era's dominant development mindset. This seminal work was a game-changer, shifting perceptions and laying the foundation for modern environmental planning.

The impact of Douglas' book extended far beyond its publication, inspiring policy changes at both state and federal levels, empowering policymakers, scientists, and urban planners with the insight and justification to advocate for responsible land use and sustainable water management. River of Grass further became an enduring reference in environmental circles, reinforcing the need for integrated planning approaches that balance ecological preservation with human activity.

In 1969, Douglas founded Friends of the Everglades. This grassroots advocacy organization works to halt destructive development projects.

Lasting Impact on Planning

Douglas actively shaped contemporary planning principles, leaving a lasting legacy in the field. The efforts of Douglas and Friends of the Everglades helped shape policies in the decades following its founding, like the Everglades Forever Act and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which remain key frameworks for wetland conservation. Her advocacy has also influenced:

• Integrated water management: The restoration of the Everglades demonstrated the value of natural water retention, inspiring modern stormwater management techniques such as retention ponds, green roofs, and permeable pavements that mimic natural hydrology. These designs help manage flood risks and improve water quality in urban settings.
• Green infrastructure and land use planning: Douglas helped redefine wetlands as assets rather than liabilities, leading to urban plans incorporating conservation zones, ecological buffers, and sustainable development strategies. This approach ensures that natural water flows and environmental processes are maintained even as urban areas expand.

• Sustainable and resilient urban design: The emphasis on preserving natural systems has influenced planning curricula and professional standards. Today, urban planners are encouraged to consider environmental stewardship as an essential component of design, which is evident in projects that incorporate "blue-green" infrastructure. This approach supports biodiversity and enhances climate resiliency, a direct extension of the ecological awareness Douglas championed.

Douglas' advocacy paved the way for policies prioritizing conservation over unchecked development and influencing urban design principles that integrate nature-based solutions into planning strategies to create healthier, more adaptable, and thriving communities.

Top image: Sunrise in the Florida Everglades. iStock/Getty Images Plus - Curt Rosner