Activist and conservationist May Mann Jennings (1901)

Jennings was one of the first to propose that the Everglades be preserved as a park. The wife of drainage proponent Governor William Jennings, she was referred to by many as the most powerful woman in Florida during the early 20th Century.

A major force in the creation of the Florida Park Service and Florida Forest Service, she led the successful campaign to create the Everglades National Park. Activists such as Marjorie Stoneman Douglas followed her lead.

Royal Palm Lodge in Homestead, Florida

Established in 1916, the Royal Palm Lodge was one of the first parks in the Everglades, designed to meet the public's curiosity about the watery ecosystem. Developed by the Florida Federated Women's Clubs, it later became the visitor center of the Everglades National Park.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior J. A. Krug signing the papers to create the Everglades National Park (1947)

With Krug is Florida governor Millard Caldwell.

President Harry Truman speaking at the opening ceremonies of Everglades National Park (1947)

Pictured from left to right: Admiral Leahy, President Truman, Secretary of the Interior J.A. Krug, Senator Claude Pepper, May Mann Jennings, and August Burghard.

Map of the Everglades National park (1950s)

Toll booth at the Everglades National Park (1950s)

Stamp commemorating Everglades National Park (n.d.)

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas with her book, Everglades; River of Grass (1965)

Even after the creation of the national park – which protected only portions of the ecosystem, activists such as Douglas continued to work to preserve and protect the Everglades from further development.