Guardians of the Everglades: How Traditional Ecological Knowledge is Healing the River of Grass

Journalist and environmental activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas once said, “There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth — remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them.”

Yet, this world-renowned ecosystem has long been in peril — its lifeblood obstructed by urban development, agricultural pollution, invasive species, and now, a makeshift immigration detention center that poses unprecedented threats to the wetland and its inhabitants. 

The Miccosukee Tribe has called the Florida Everglades home for centuries and is leading the charge to heal it. Armed with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), tribal members leverage generational wisdom not just to conserve nature, but to live in reciprocity with it. 

A Scarred Paradise — The Unraveling of an Ecosystem

The Everglades is no stranger to hardship, having faced long-term ecological issues as early as the late 19th and early 20th centuries when draining and development began. As Florida transformed into a densely populated, dynamic, and urban powerhouse, the Everglades endured widespread degradation. 

From Flow to Floodgates

The Everglades once spanned nearly 11,000 square miles of South Florida, flowing uninterrupted from the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee, then south to the Florida Bay. Today, it’s only half the size it used to be.

Massive engineering projects in the 20th century aimed to drain the “swamp” for agricultural and urban expansion. An intricate network of canals, levees, and dams dissected the landscape, causing a 70% reduction in freshwater flow that has sustained the wetland for millennia. 

A Skeleton of What Used to Be 

Miccosukee Elder Michael John Frank perfectly depicted the devastating impact of its altered hydrology when he described the Everglades as a skeleton of how it once was.

Over 90% of wading bird populations have disappeared. Meanwhile, agricultural runoff has introduced nutrient pollution, causing destructive algal blooms and dead zones. The wetland’s steady, predictable flow is now a torrent of prolonged droughts and unnatural floods that saturate tree islands essential to wildlife and tribal culture.

A Culture Under Threat

The demise of the Everglades poses an existential threat to the Miccosukee Tribe. They are fundamentally intertwined with the ecosystem, which shapes their identity, beliefs and survival. 

Contaminated and diverted water has forced out native flora and fish that the Tribe depends on, while mismanaged flooding has desecrated traditional and historic sites, burial grounds and community homes. 

This is the heart of indigenous environmentalism — healing the land is an act of cultural, sovereign, and continued existence perceived as one and the same. 

Miccosukee’ Traditional Ecological Knowledge’ in Action

Miccosukee TEK is not a relic of the past but a functional, real-time approach to taking action. Members apply their generational wisdom to mend waterways, declare the land a sacred trust, and coordinate conservation through co-stewardship. 

Reading the Water, Healing the Land

“Reading the water” is among the truest, experiential forms of Indigenous TEK. Tribal members have gained an understanding of subtle cues through historical observation. This includes noticing changes in plant health, animal behaviors, and the clarity and flow of water.

As engineers ramp up hydrology projects within the Western Everglades Restoration Plan, the Tribe’s TEK input has been invaluable in restoring sheet flow. 

More Than Science — A Spiritual Covenant

For the Miccosukee, TEK is far more critical than environmental datasets — it’s a spiritual covenant. Reverend Houston R. Cypress says stewardship is a sacred duty rooted in the teachings of creation. Miccosukee beliefs state that no one owns the land — they’re just there to care for it.

Tribal Council Chairman Talbert Cypress further highlights the concept of reciprocity. During the Seminole Wars, the U.S. Army pushed the Miccosukee Tribe deep into the Everglades, which became their only refuge. As he states, “We often look at the Everglades as our protector during that time. And so now, it’s our turn to protect the Everglades.”

The Co-Stewardship Regroup

The Miccosukee Tribe signed a landmark five-year agreement with the National Park Service (NPS) in 2024, recognizing that traditional ecological knowledge is critical for effective land management. The pact enables cooperative management of fire and water, while acknowledging the Miccosukee’s traditional fishing and gathering rights. 

“While the parks have been consulting with the Miccosukee for many years, these co-stewardship agreements take our important relationship to the next level,” said Superintendent Pedro Ramos, who supervises South Florida NPS sites. “The infusion of traditional ecological knowledge will benefit our public lands and conservation efforts.” 

The co-stewardship agreement isn’t the only way the Miccosukee Tribe collaborates on conservation. Since 1982, the Tribe has hosted an annual Everglades Study Day. In October 2025, tribal elders, scientists and families went on an excursion to 81 sites, where researchers took vital water pollution samples, and elders passed on traditions and stories regarding the Tribe’s connection to the land. 

A Tapestry of Wisdom — TEK Beyond the Everglades

The Miccosukee’s success is but one strand of a growing tapestry of Indigenous environmentalism, where TEK has delivered robust solutions across the United States. 

For example, the Karuk Tribe has partnered with the California Natural Resources Agency on traditional cultural burning to clear forest undergrowth and prevent catastrophic wildfires. Thinning dry and dead brush decreases wildfire severity by 62% to 72% and allows for more sunlight penetration to stimulate new growth.

Farther north, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in Washington is helping revive ancient littleneck clam gardens to boost local food security and create a more resilient coastline against the impacts of climate change. 

The Blackfeet Nation is also applying TEK to restore free-roaming buffalo populations on their ancestral lands. Preserving a keystone species can greatly benefit prairie ecosystems and heal their culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Traditional Ecological Knowledge?

Traditional ecological knowledge is a wealth of Indigenous knowledge, practices, and beliefs that have been transmitted generationally through storytelling, ceremonies, and lived experiences. Unlike Western science, TEK recognizes the interconnectedness between all living things and the environment. The wisdom evolves through constant observation, shaping sustainable living, resource management, and ecological well-being. 

How Is Indigenous Environmentalism Different From Mainstream Environmentalism?

Indigenous and mainstream environmentalism both seek to protect the natural world, but for different reasons. For example, the mainstream approach often views nature as a resource to be managed for human benefit, while the Indigenous strategy is rooted in kinship and reciprocity with the land. As Native Americans see it, people are not separate from nature and have a responsibility to conserve it for their survival and well-being. 

Why Is the Miccosukee’s Role so Crucial for the Everglades?

The Miccosukee Tribe possesses an uninterrupted history and understanding of the Everglades’ uniqueness, giving them invaluable perspectives that predate modern engineering. Additionally, their cultural and spiritual identity is tied to the River of Grass, not merely as a habitat but as the foundation of their way of life. 

How Can You Learn More About TEK or Support This Work?

You can support TEK by giving Indigenous voices a platform. Follow and share their content online, and donate to their environmental organizations. You should also look for information directly from the tribes’ websites and publications that highlight their initiatives and views. Finally, advocate for policies that empower tribal nations, including supporting co-stewardship agreements that place TEK on equal footing with science-based initiatives.

The Path Forward — Listening to the Land Itself

Traditional ecological knowledge offers a blueprint for just environmental stewardship and a sense of hope for addressing modern crises. As the world faces an uncertain future, it has become apparent that science and technology alone can’t solve every problem. Turning to Indigenous environmentalism could be key to restoring ecological balance.