THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Everglades National Park lifted the emergency closure for the Shark Valley District at 1 p.m. on Aug. 24. All public and administrative use of the area may resume after the closure from wildfires in the area.
Official NPS source
U.S. Wildland Fire Service firefighters are responding to several fires in Everglades National Park, including the Chipmunk and Vulture fires. The Chipmunk Fire was first reported Aug. 21 and is located about two miles southwest of Shark Valley. The lightning-caused fire is estimated to be approximately 9,232 acres and is 30% contained.
Official NPS source
Wildland firefighters from U.S. Wildland Fire Service with assistance from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and Florida Forest Service are responding to the Bluegill Fire, which was reported on Aug. 2 at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Official NPS source
On June 17, a wildfire started by lighting in the northeastern area of Everglades National Park. Named the Coptic Fire, it is now 4,793 acres in size with 40% containment. The fire is located approximately five miles south of U.S. Highway 41 and 3.2 miles west of the L-31N Canal and is burning primarily in prairie habitat.
Official NPS source
Everglades National Park announced today its continued support and collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the South Florida Water Management District and other partners for the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™. The annual python removal competition is a public initiative dedicated to raising awareness about invasive species and providing opportunities for the public to get involved in protecting the Everglades ecosystem by removing invasive Burmese pythons.
Official NPS source
The Highway 41 Fire continues to burn and is now approximately 8,500 acres in size with 20% containment. The fire, which started on April 27, is located in the northeastern corner of Everglades National Park, south of U.S. Highway 41 and east of Shark Valley and the airboat concessions.
Official NPS source
On the evening of April 27, a wildfire was reported in the northeastern corner of Everglades National Park. Highway 41 fire burns south of U.S. Route 41.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service is offering the public a special opportunity to experience Everglades National Park at night. The Dark Sky Festival will take place on Feb. 21 from 1 to 10 p.m. in Flamingo, Fla.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Everglades Harbor and Channel Dredging Project environmental assessment.
Official NPS source
Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor joined the National Park Service, community members, and partners today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the newly redeveloped Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center at Everglades National Park, which is scheduled to open fully to the public later this month. The entire grounds, marina, and canoe/kayak launch have been redeveloped over the past two years into a worldclass facility to welcome visitors to the Gulf Coast side of Everglades National Park.
Official NPS source
On Dec. 12, Everglades National Park will host a ribbon cutting event for the new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center in Everglades City at 10:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for two major rehabilitation projects in Everglades National Park: Rehabilitation of Parkwide Water and Wastewater Systems and Flamingo Bulkheads Rehabilitation Project. The FONSI establishes that, based on the Environmental Assessment (EA), there would be no significant impact on the environment as a result of the selected action. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the park considered “action” and “no action” alternatives and solicited public comments for 30 days.
Official NPS source
In early March, Everglades National Park will begin a six-month project to replace the aging Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook boardwalk trail and tower, both of which show signs of wear and deterioration. While the Pa-Hay-Okee Road will remain open as a turnaround, the tower, boardwalk and parking lot will be closed for the duration of the project. The trail is scheduled to reopen after completion in the fall.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) in conjunction with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be conducting a joint prescribed fire operation scheduled to begin in late January and continue through February.
Official NPS source
On Jan. 16, Everglades National Park released a status update on the draft Wilderness Stewardship Plan, which would guide the preservation, management and use of the park’s wilderness lands. An updated StoryMap with details is available at parkplanning.nps.gov/ever-wsp. No public meetings or public comment period are planned with this informational update.
Official NPS source
On Jan. 31, Everglades National Park will host the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón to celebrate the intersection of poetry and nature with a virtual event for students and a public event to unveil a poetry installation—a picnic table inscribed with the poem “Ecology” by June Jordan.
Official NPS source
On Jan. 18, Everglades National Park will host the inaugural Nike Site Festival at the historic HM-69 Nike Missile Site. The event will commemorate South Florida’s role in the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis and will also highlight the region’s Cuban heritage.
Official NPS sourceFollowing the passing of Hurricane Helene, visitors to the South Florida National Parks and Preserve should continue to exercise caution with the potential for unidentified hazards on land and in park waters. Marine waters continue to be open in all locations, but parks are still assessing missing or damaged aids to navigation. Closures or special conditions are available on each park’s website under Alerts.
Official NPS source
Everglades National Park will host the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón to celebrate the intersection of poetry and nature with a virtual event for students and a public event to unveil a poetry installation—a picnic table inscribed with the poem “Ecology” by June Jordan. Everglades is one of seven national parks selected to be part of Limón’s signature project “You are Here: Poetry in Parks.” The initiative is a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS), Library of Congress, and the Poetry Society of America that features installations of site-specific poetry installations in the parks. In each park, a picnic table, transformed into a work of public art, features a historic American poem that relates to the park in a meaningful way.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida today entered into two historic co-stewardship agreements for Everglades and Biscayne national parks. A formal signing ceremony was held at the Miccosukee Reserved Area within Everglades National Park. The Tribe and the national parks will implement the agreements through joint and cooperative endeavors focused on the natural and cultural resources of mutual interest.
Official NPS source
Everglades National Park is seeking public comment on resolving adverse effects from the proposed demolition of two small utility buildings, which are historic resources near the Shark Valley Observation Tower. Under the proposed action, the Shark Valley Tower Pump House and the adjacent Shark Valley Generator Annex would be demolished to make way for potable water and wastewater improvements. The public comment period is open through July 5.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) announces the release of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Flamingo Marina Bulkheads Rehabilitation Project within Everglades National Park. The project would replace failing seawall bulkheads, walkways, and aging amenities at the Flamingo marina. The EA is available for review and comment through June 9 on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/bulkheads).
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the Environmental Assessment for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Osceola Camp Cure Plan. This federally funded project is intended to protect the existing facilities, functions and residences of the Osceola Camp from flooding caused by ecosystem restoration efforts from the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP).
Official NPS source
Everglades National Park will provide over 20 night-sky events from March 30 to April 28. Everglades Dark Sky Celebration is a great opportunity to learn about the characteristics of the night sky for all ages.
Official NPS source
Beginning April 1, Everglades National Park’s Gulf Coast site in Everglades City will close to public access during construction of the new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center. The closure includes the canoe and kayak launch, the visitor contact station and adjacent parking areas. The canoe and kayak launch is expected to reopen by the end of the year.
Official NPS sourceOn March 10, park rangers responded to a man who had capsized his vessel in the Flamingo Marina and was reportedly bitten by a crocodile. The man was stable on transport to EMS.
Official NPS source
Everglades National Park is seeking public comment on the park’s upcoming wilderness stewardship plan, which will guide the preservation, management and use of the park’s wilderness lands. Written comments may be submitted from Feb. 2 through March 31.
Official NPS sourceBeginning Jan. 1, 2024, Everglades National Park will implement a modest increase in entrance fees. Fees for vehicles and vessels will increase from $30 to $35 for a seven-day pass. Pedestrian, motorcycle, bicycle and paddle-craft will also increase by $5. The annual pass will increase from $55 to $70.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) announces the release of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the rehabilitation of select water and wastewater systems in Everglades National Park. The EA is available for review and comment through Dec. 12 on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment site.
Official NPS sourceThe Environmental Assessment (EA) for improvements to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Osceola Camp is open for review and comment from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.
Official NPS source
Everglades National Park and its authorized concessioner, Everglades Guest Services, will hold a grand opening event on Oct. 27 for the reconstructed and renamed Guy Bradley Visitor Center and the new Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service issued a construction contract for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center and site redevelopment in Everglades City. Onsite concession services including boat tours and rentals will cease Sept. 30 and are expected to resume in the fall of 2024.
Official NPS source
Everglades National Park announces a Finding of No Significant Impact for the selected alternative from the Shark Valley Site Plan Environmental Assessment.
Official NPS source
From May 6 to 23, the entire Shark Valley area at Everglades National Park will be closed day and night to all visitors for repaving of the entrance road, parking lot, and 15-mile tram road. Other areas of the park remain open.
Official NPS source
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced yesterday that three national parks will receive $123,572,000 in grants as part of the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program.
Official NPS source