The Republican Governor just made a move that has everyone talking.
And it’s sent shockwaves through the conservation world.
Because Ron DeSantis just delivered this jaw-dropping gift to Florida that left environmentalists stunned.
Governor advances massive Everglades funding
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently advanced $805 million in the 2025-26 state budget for Everglades conservation, adding to the monumental $6.5 billion he has secured toward Everglades restoration since taking office.
The 2,400-square-mile wetland is unlike anything else in North America, serving as a vital water, wildlife, and fisheries reserve essential to Florida’s future.
This latest injection of funding continues DeSantis’ unwavering support for the preservation of the iconic marsh that helps provide much of the state’s freshwater.
When DeSantis entered office in 2018, Florida was battling alarming environmental challenges including fish-killing red tides, toxic algae blooms, and devastating manatee die-offs.
The Governor immediately recognized the importance of conservation to Florida’s future and called on his fellow Republicans to claim environmental protection as their “mantle.”
Saving the Everglades boosts Florida’s economy
The Governor’s aggressive conservation stance makes perfect sense when you consider that tourism is Florida’s major economic engine.
With more than 800 miles of beaches and dozens of state and national parks and wildlife refuges, Florida attracted a record-breaking 143 million visitors in 2024 alone.
These tourists generated a staggering $128 billion in economic impact and supported 2.1 million jobs while adding nearly $40 billion in tax revenue to state coffers.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission chair Rodney Barreto praised the Governor’s efforts, declaring, “Saving the Everglades will be one of Governor DeSantis’ most important and lasting legacies,” says Rodney Barreto, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission chair and veteran conservation philanthropist. “It’s not easy balancing the demands of all sides in a large state like Florida, but his conservation compass has been unwavering.”
Everglades champion earns bipartisan praise
DeSantis’ environmental actions have earned him surprisingly strong support across the political spectrum.
Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg told Politico last year that DeSantis is a “true champion” of conservation, noting, “He came into office and on day one made it clear this was going to be a priority.”
Even longtime philanthropist and Everglades Foundation creator Paul Tudor Jones heaped praise on DeSantis, saying, “The most difficult element to find in the conservation movement is leadership,” says long-time philanthropist and Everglades Foundation creator Paul Tudor Jones. “Governor DeSantis stepped into the arena and led the fight to save our beloved Everglades. Every Floridian owes him a debt of gratitude for that.”
The Florida Governor’s ability to balance environmental protection with economic growth has cemented his popularity in the state, helping him cruise to a landslide re-election in 2022 where he defeated Democrat Charlie Crist by nearly 20 percent.
His approval ratings have climbed as high as 62 percent, making him one of the most popular Governors in the nation.
Everglades getting the Hollywood treatment
The importance of the Everglades is gaining wider recognition, with Emmy-nominated director Mike Slee currently working on a giant screen film celebration of the ecosystem.
“The Everglades are not just a Florida treasure,” Slee explained. “Its international significance is on the order of the Amazon and the Serengeti. When people see this film and step inside the immersive experience of the giant screen, they’ll come to know the value of this wetland like never before.”
Conservation over radical environmentalism
DeSantis’ success in protecting the Everglades while maintaining Florida’s booming economy illustrates a growing divide between conservation and radical environmentalism.
Charles Potter, President and CEO of Chicago-based Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, articulated the distinction: “Whether in Florida or elsewhere, the reality is that the nation must have food, fiber and energy to thrive. Conservation and business must work in collaboration,” he says. “Thus, we have to develop strategies that can advance our economy while at the same time protecting land, air and water quality as well as a legacy of healthy wildlife and fisheries.”
This more balanced approach to environmental protection appears to be gaining traction nationwide, with recent polling showing declining support for aggressive green energy initiatives that sacrifice economic prosperity.
DeSantis has positioned himself as a pragmatic conservationist who refuses the notion that environmental health and economic success are mutually exclusive.
His remarkable success in Florida may provide a template for other Republican leaders looking to craft popular policies that protect natural resources without crippling economic growth.
