#Everglades Foundation #Mary Barley #Everglades Coalition

Honoring Mary Barley: A Champion for the Everglades

The Everglades Foundation recently celebrated an important milestone by honoring Mary Barley, one of its Founding Directors, during the annual Everglades Coalition conference. This prestigious event marked her induction into the Hall of Fame, a recognition established in 2003 to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the restoration of this vital ecosystem.

Mary Barley’s unwavering commitment over the past 30 years has significantly impacted the preservation of the Everglades, a unique natural resource vital to Florida’s ecology and economy. Her tireless advocacy, often in partnership with her late husband George Barley, has made her a prominent figure in the fight for environmental protection. The Everglades Foundation's CEO, Eric Eikenberg, articulated this sentiment, noting that her passion and dedication have inspired many others in the conservation community.

One of Mary Barley’s remarkable achievements includes her vital role in passing a constitutional amendment in Florida that established strict accountability for pollution cleanup. This pivotal legislation places the financial burden of pollution remediation squarely on the shoulders of the polluters, promoting greater environmental responsibility.

Mary was instrumental in garnering bipartisan support for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which represents the most ambitious ecosystem restoration undertaking globally. This landmark legislation continues to direct significant restoration projects, ensuring the protection of the Everglades.

Throughout her career, Mary has held various leadership roles within the Everglades Foundation, including a term as Board Chair from 1995 to 2002 and serving as Vice Chair from 2003 until 2012. Despite these formal titles, her contributions extend far beyond mere titles; she remains actively involved and is an esteemed member of the Board.

Apart from her work with the Everglades Foundation, Mary has been deeply engaged with other influential organizations. Since 2007, she has been a member of the World Wildlife National Council and has served on its Marine Leadership Committee since 1996. Her dedication to conservation extends to her involvement with the National Parks Conservation Association and various other environmental groups.

At the recent Hall of Fame induction, Mary Barley joined an elite group of environmental advocates, including her late husband George, who was a pioneer in conservation efforts. She is now honored alongside iconic figures such as Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Nathaniel Reed, both recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the Everglades.

Mary’s accolades are numerous, including recognition by Time magazine as a