40: Alligator Alcatraz & the Wild Story of the Everglades

Alligator Alcatraz: remember that? Well, it's still very much a thing. In fact, it is still operating despite the lawsuits and public outcry. And guess what? It's going to be on your radar again very soon. Did you know that the location of Alligator Alcatraz, the very place that is currently causing ecological destruction, is the reason for the existence of the Clean Water Act, NEPA, and Earth Day? Do you want to know how? Let me tell you a story. You will get to learn all about its fascinating history, the environmental fight that came out of a proposed jetport in the heart of the Everglades, and what Friends of the Everglades is now doing to take action against Alligator Alcatraz. I'm joined by Eve Samples, the Executive Director for Friends of the Everglades, who gives us an intimate perspective of how to combat Alligator Alcatraz and protect the important ecological diversity of the Florida Everglades.Take Action: Sign up for Friends of the Everglades' newsletter to keep up to date with what's happening in the Everglades.Take Action: Visit the "STOP Alligator Alcatraz page and call your Reps &amp; Senators and tell them to speak out against Alligator Alcatraz.Follow Friends of the Everglades on Instagram: @friendsoftheeverglades.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!Sources:1. "How a detention center awoke a decades-old environmental fight" - NPR2. "STOP "Alligator Alcatraz" - America's WORST idea" - Friends of the Everglades3. "Lawsuit Opposing "Alligator Alcatraz" Points To Federal Ties, Land Disturbance" - National Parks Traveler4. "Unpacking Florida's immigration trends - demographers take a closer look at the legal and undocumented population" - WLRN Public Media5. "Trump gets key wins at Supreme Court on immigration, despite some misgivings" - Reuters6. "Trump says his plan to expel millions of immigrants will be a 'bloody story'" - Independent UK7. "Denied, detailed, deported: the faces of Trump's immigration crackdown" - The Guardian8. <a href="https://www.nps.gov