Project Links
Wilderness Stewardship Plan
Everglades NP » Wilderness Stewardship Plan
Dear Friends of Everglades National Park:
Everglades National Park has completed the Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness and other areas the National Park Service (NPS) manages as wilderness within the park. The completed plan provides long-term direction for preserving wilderness character while providing opportunities for public use and enjoyment consistent with the Wilderness Act and other applicable laws and policies. The final Wilderness Stewardship Plan and related materials are available in the "Document List" on the left side of this page.
The WSP establishes a framework for the long-term stewardship of the park's wilderness. It identifies desired future conditions and provides direction for protecting natural and cultural resources, addressing impacts to wilderness character, and supporting appropriate public access and enjoyment. The plan also establishes indicators, standards, and thresholds to help the NPS monitor conditions and determine when management actions may be needed. In addition, the WSP addresses visitor capacity and the extent to which commercial services are necessary within wilderness.
The completed WSP replaces Everglades National Park's 1981 Backcountry Management Plan and supplements the park's 2015 General Management Plan. It reflects updated information about visitor use, resource management, ecosystem restoration, and current NPS wilderness stewardship policies and provides a framework that can respond to changing conditions over time.
Development of the plan included opportunities for collaboration and public involvement. In spring 2024, the NPS invited input from the public and associated Tribes on draft desired conditions and preliminary management strategies. The NPS reviewed and considered this input in refining the plan. Actions identified in the WSP are organized into near-term and long-term categories based on considerations including Tribal and public input, implementation feasibility and sustainability, parkwide priorities, and the purpose and need for the plan. A summary of public comments received during the planning process is also available in the "Document List."
Completion of the Wilderness Stewardship Plan marks an important step in the ongoing stewardship of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness. Implementation of the plan will occur over time as the NPS monitors conditions, evaluates priorities, and considers available resources and site-specific needs.
The park's Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness is the largest unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System east of the Rocky Mountains. Established in 1934, Everglades National Park was considered wilderness 30 years before the Wilderness Act of 1964 was signed into law, and 44 years prior to its official wilderness designation in 1978. The NPS now manages 97% of the park as wilderness, including submerged marine lands.
305-242-7717
Everglades National Park has completed the Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness and other areas the National Park Service (NPS) manages as wilderness within the park. The completed plan provides long-term direction for preserving wilderness character while providing opportunities for public use and enjoyment consistent with the Wilderness Act and other applicable laws and policies. The final Wilderness Stewardship Plan and related materials are available in the "Document List" on the left side of this page.
The WSP establishes a framework for the long-term stewardship of the park's wilderness. It identifies desired future conditions and provides direction for protecting natural and cultural resources, addressing impacts to wilderness character, and supporting appropriate public access and enjoyment. The plan also establishes indicators, standards, and thresholds to help the NPS monitor conditions and determine when management actions may be needed. In addition, the WSP addresses visitor capacity and the extent to which commercial services are necessary within wilderness.
The completed WSP replaces Everglades National Park's 1981 Backcountry Management Plan and supplements the park's 2015 General Management Plan. It reflects updated information about visitor use, resource management, ecosystem restoration, and current NPS wilderness stewardship policies and provides a framework that can respond to changing conditions over time.
Development of the plan included opportunities for collaboration and public involvement. In spring 2024, the NPS invited input from the public and associated Tribes on draft desired conditions and preliminary management strategies. The NPS reviewed and considered this input in refining the plan. Actions identified in the WSP are organized into near-term and long-term categories based on considerations including Tribal and public input, implementation feasibility and sustainability, parkwide priorities, and the purpose and need for the plan. A summary of public comments received during the planning process is also available in the "Document List."
Completion of the Wilderness Stewardship Plan marks an important step in the ongoing stewardship of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness. Implementation of the plan will occur over time as the NPS monitors conditions, evaluates priorities, and considers available resources and site-specific needs.
The park's Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness is the largest unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System east of the Rocky Mountains. Established in 1934, Everglades National Park was considered wilderness 30 years before the Wilderness Act of 1964 was signed into law, and 44 years prior to its official wilderness designation in 1978. The NPS now manages 97% of the park as wilderness, including submerged marine lands.
Contact Information
Daniel Noon305-242-7717