by Hebe D.
The Everglades is a unique wet ecosystem that is highly protected and is in constant conflict with the government to maintain protection. The urban sprawl from South Florida is constantly trying to develop the area. It's being destroyed from fertilizer and garbage that flows into it from Lake Okeechobee in the center of Florida and the sugar industry. There are Native Americans like the Seminole and Mikosukee and original Glades men who have lived in these inhabitable lands for 100s of years and some still live off the land. This forms a unique blend of cultures that share this land. It makes for a very interesting cultural experience to explore the python hunters, the native lands, the survivalist gladesmen, alligator and wildlife hunters and the environmentalists and artists that live there. You can start with Clyde Butcher who is an artist that lives in the Everglades swamp and is an accomplished artist with his gallery in the area as well. He hosts swamp walks that is a good place to start exploring the area.