Guest speaker District Ranger Greg Reed of Everglades National Park told of the great progress being made on the Margery Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center currently under construction in Everglades City, and the enhancements to the visitor experience that are in the planning stages. While the building itself may be completed in late summer 2025, it will be a while before the local entrance to Everglades National Park is fully operational. A south Florida native, his enthusiasm for the project and prospects was contagious.

Keynote speaker Holly Dudley spoke about the establishment of the Florida Stone Crabbers Association in 2020 to address the ever-increasing regulations related to the harvesting of stone crab claws. The other two directors are Carrie Doxsee, and Kelly Kirk who also have long family histories in the area. The mayor and city council asked the Association to take over sponsorship of the annual Everglades Seafood Festival when it resumed after the COVID shutdown. As the event coordinator, Holly needs many volunteers to help with the preparations for the festival and during the festival itself. Holly also spoke about the important mission of Holly’s Hope which helps people seeking recovery from addiction to get into rehab.