Guardians of the Everglades

“One in three Floridians depend directly on the Everglades for their daily supply of fresh water.”

“Everglades restoration is good for business, an economic driver that creates jobs, enhances property values, boosts tourism, and helps accommodate future population growth.”

Everglades Foundation 2010 Annual Report

Clyde Butcher
©Nicholas Petrucci

Clyde Butcher ©Connie Bransilver

Clyde Butcher of the Everglades: Nicholas painted Clyde Butcher emerging from the darkness of the Everglades swamps, bringing light on what was previously feared and reviled. His enormous, highly detailed black and white photographic images bring the beauty and complexity of these sub-tropical wetlands to the attention of the public. He is revered throughout Florida and throughout the world conservation community, so Nicholas wanted to show him as the powerful but warm individual he is. Nicholas suggested the swamp surrounding him to focus on Clyde himself.

Gladesman and Conservationist Franklin Adams ©Nicholas PetrucciGladesman and Conservationist Franklin Adams: Nicholas and Connie met a man named Franklin Adams who by all accounts is a true gladesman. He tells wonderful stories about south Florida in the 1940s and ‘50s. He spins magical tales, guiding them through the swamplands, some long gone, others still thriving, thanks in part to Frank’s efforts. He takes a moment, his eyes drift, then return to the listener as he describes a part of nature he respects, protects and has called home for most of his life. In his words, “There is a sense of freedom. You have to experience it. Being part of nature is a rare thing.” Frank still goes “out there” alone to experience the freedom, and Nicholas chose to picture him alone with his rifle, quietly protecting the wilderness he loves. He once said that he had asked his family not to worry if one day he did not return home after spending time in the Everglades. It would be ok because that is where he would want his story to end.

Recently Nicholas and Connie spent a morning in Everglades National Park that took their breath away. There was not another human soul as far as the eye could see or the ear could hear. It was truly beautiful and peaceful with only the sound of the breeze, the rustling of trees and sawgrass, dragonflies busy with their daily chores and a lone Ibis jabbing in the shallow water. It was then they fully understood Frank’s moment.

Chairman Buffalo Tiger ©Nicholas Petrucci Chairman Buffalo Tiger of the Miccosukee: Chairman Buffalo Tiger is a proud figure of strength and self-restraint in the Miccosukee nation. He stands, wholly Miccosukee but with his feet firmly planted in the White Man’s world, in his successful 40 year negotiations with the Federal and State governments to retain possession of his peoples’ land. The Everglades harbored his ancestors when they fled south to avoid the long march to Oklahoma, and the Miccosukee in turn have been its most stalwart defenders. A healthy, wild, Everglades, depicted by the alligator jaws, is the basis of their freedom and culture.

The day Connie and Nicholas met Buffalo they were struck by the history he wore on his weathered face. His was a rugged, spiritual face, and dignified as he looked warily on us. They felt he was at peace with himself and his surroundings. His appearance redefined beauty. For all he has endured this elderly man was still extending the peace pipe to all of us.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Statesman Nathanial Reed ©Nicholas PetrucciNathaniel Reed, Statesman: Nathaniel Reed, former Assistant Secretary of the Interior, was a central figure in securing protection for the crucial Big Cypress portion of the Everglades ecosystem. He has been involved with setting policy and direction for Florida’s wild places for more than 50 years, contributing his time and leadership and wisdom. He posed for his portrait at his home in Jupiter, Florida, while writing his latest book on Jupiter.

The Honorable Bob GrahamThe Honorable Bob Graham, Senator, Governor and Statesman has accepted our invitation to be the ninth GUARDIAN OF THE EVERGLADES.

The Honorable Bob Graham, former Florida Senator and Governor, is now concentrating on the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at University of Florida, his legacy of leadership. Long known for his tireless support for protection of the Everglades, his participation in the GUARDIANS OF THE EVERGLADES project adds both statewide and national political perspective to the project. A native son, Bob Graham has dedicated his life to serving the public, and the Florida voters approved. He has never lost an election in Florida.

As Senator, Bob Graham pioneered several environmental programs which have attracted national and international attention. Senator Graham is best known as the author and key sponsor of the "Restoring the Everglades, An American Legacy Act," which authorized the $7.8 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Graham would not settle for a piecemeal approach to restoration but steered this multi-billion dollar, multi-year plan through Congress a decade ago. It is still being implemented.

After retiring from the Senate in 2005 Senator Graham served as Co-Chair of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. In a lifetime of leadership, he has never been timid in protecting the heart of Florida. Nicholas and Connie are deeply honored to have The Honorable Bob Graham, Senator, Governor and Statesman, as a GUARDIAN OF THE EVERGLADES.

Ed Carlson, Director of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary ©Connie Bransilver Ed Carlson, Director of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: Ed Carlson, native of South Florida and Director of the Audubon Society's acclaimed Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, looks and moves like the outdoorsman he is -- big, tall, soft spoken and gentlemanly. The Sanctuary, through Ed’s leadership, is the center of protection for crucial wetlands constantly under pressure to yield to development. Ed Carlson stands firm for the last, best wood stork nesting grounds and the watershed making human and stork existence there possible.

Deb Jansen, Florida Panther Biologist ©Connie Bransilver

Deb Jansen, Florida Panther Biologist: Wildlife Biologist Deb Jansen has spent more than 30 years studying, tracking and monitoring the highly endangered Florida Panther, an "umbrella species" for the entire Everglades ecosystem. As the fate of the panther goes, so goes the Everglades. If the Florida Panther is thriving in its habitat then all the other plants and animals are thriving as well. Deb’s care and watchful eye offers us a barometer to the survival and health of the ever-decreasing wildlife.

When Nicholas first met Deb he could not help but notice she had been blessed with two of the lightest blue crystal eyes, as direct and blue as a panther kitten’s, and truly mesmerizing. If you have ever looked into the eyes of a large cat and felt that maybe you might not be on top of the food chain then you will know. However, these beautiful eyes are also part of a very lovely, charming and thoughtful woman. Deborah watches over the endangered Florida Panther, all that is left of the wide-ranging puma or cougar east of the Mississippi. Deborah is one of the silent heroes for our survival, as well.

Deb's scientific studies define panther and habitat recovery, but her dedication to educating the public on panther and habitat health distinguish her to the public. Deb cares deeply about the big cats and those around her feel privileged to know her.

Roy McBride & Chili, Panther Trackers ©Connie BransilverPanther Tracker, Roy McBride and Chili: Nicholas met Roy for the first time with one of Roy's good friends, Chili, a handsome hound. Roy is the kind of man you can sense is a no-nonsense fellow. His words may be few and like a true guardian he watches and listens and then says exactly what he means. There were moments with the turn of his posture he even looked like Paul Newman. Chili kept looking up at Roy awaiting his bidding and seemed quite content to be alongside his master. Working with scientists monitoring the health and movements of the endangered Florida Panther, Roy tracks big cats in Florida and throughout the world. He trains his hounds to locate and chase only the big cats, and when the cats are safely treed, the dogs’ job is done and it is then up to the scientists to take data and release the cat. Roy lives and breathes the kind of existence most men can only hope to experience by hiring an expensive guide for a chance to know what the wilderness feels like. Nicholas and Connie really like this outdoorsman.

Connie has known and admired Roy McBride and his dedication to his hounds and to his work as a tracker since she first encountered him in the swamp nearly 20 years ago. He is, to Connie, the modest professional intent on training and protecting his dogs as well as participating in the critical work of understanding and protecting the top predators of this land, the Florida Panther. Understanding the top predators of the Everglades is key to understanding the vitality and health of the entire ecosystem. Roy began tracking troublesome big cats in the west, and now, as he says, he has "a chance to give back." He is a man of few words, a modest man, and having him participate in the Guardians of the Everglades project honors not only Nicholas and Connie, but all those who care and are affected by the health of the Everglades -- that is, millions.

A more dedicated woman you will not find. Hilary Swain’s enthusiasm and buoyant British personality are a delight. As Executive Director of Archbold Biological Station since 1995 and manager of Buck Island Ranch, a 10,300-acre working cattle ranch at the headwaters of the Northern Everglades, Hilary applies scientifically supported conservation strategies to practical land management. And this land, more than 20,000 acres in total, is where much of south Florida’s drinking water comes from. As she says, making it pay gives us "a lot of credibility in the ranching community."

She is highly regarded by her colleagues, many fourth or fifth generation ranchers. Directing activities at Archbold Biological Station and the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center Hilary and her staff are involved in long-term research, environmental monitoring, science education as well as practical land management and conservation programs. She is both the on-the-ground ranch manager and the ecological science guru, but unofficially she is a born teacher with enthusiasm for the land and the water that is the life blood of Florida's midsection.

Hilary speaks with the knowledge of a scientist as she conveys years of research concerning Florida’s land and water. Not paying attention to this formidable voice would say we are not concerned about the welfare of one another. Her concerns about our water in South Florida should not fall upon deaf ears. Without it we would all perish.

Still proud in her northern England accent, and loving her work, she can exhaust the Energizer Bunny. Hilary has earned our respect as scientist, conservationist, and gentlewoman.

Keith and Marshall Jones are fifth generation Gladesmen, proud to live the life they love, proud of their traditional life, and protecting the Everglades with 21st Century know-how. They are making a life for themselves and their families at Mack’s Fish Camp, an 81 year old family camp business deep in the sawgrass prairie. A new Federal study of the Florida Gladesmen Culture has recommended that Mack’s be listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a traditional cultural property. On a visit, Keith called his resident alligator and fed him from the dock, and Marshall was barefoot most of the time, saying he preferred it. “I watch his back, and he watches mine,” they each said.

Keith and Marshall, in their early 30s, and their young children, Gator and Mack, represent the future, tradition embracing technology to conserve the Glades. They are living the lore, and bringing a thoroughly modern approach to guardianship of the Everglades