Since it lacked the distinguishing features of dramatic landscapes, many doubted whether the Everglades was even worthy of being a national park. "A swamp is a swamp," scoffed respected zoologist ...

Everglades National Park is the third-largest national park in the contiguous United States. It preserves the southernmost 20% of the Everglades. It was the first park to preserve an ecosystem.

A Florida governor in the early 1900s saw potential for the Everglades land but only if it was drained of its water.