On April 2, SCCF’s Environmental Policy Department joined our partners at The Everglades Foundation to host our annual joint Everglades Update at the Bailey Homestead. The Everglades Update was presented in a novel format this year, taking the form of a trivia night.

The evening began with light bites and refreshments while participants chose teams to test their knowledge of the Everglades with. Attendees learned from SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis and Director of Engagement and Outreach for the Everglades Foundation Keely Weyker on each organization’s program details and intentions behind the annual event. 

“Restoring and protecting the Everglades provides the most critical link to heathy water quality in South Florida and the estuaries reliant upon this system. With this shared goal inherent to the mission of both organizations, the Everglades Foundation and SCCF host the Everglades Update on an annual basis to continually educate the community on this ever-changing, nuanced topic,” said SCCF Policy Associate Allie Pecenka.

Everglades Trivia Night featured three rounds of trivia with topics ranging from Everglades history, to current and future restoration plans, to the ecology of the various Everglades ecosystems. Opposing teams battled it out, facing fierce competition from those new to the topic and Everglades aficionados alike.

After each round, answers were revealed to cheers of exclamation and frustration as attendees expanded their knowledge on the vast system of the greater Everglades. Notoriously difficult bonus questions were also posed in between rounds, with experts drawing from their knowledge to win special prizes from SCCF and the Everglades Foundation. Our winning team got to take home special prize bags from the organizations!

“The 2025 Everglades Update went down in the books as a fun-filled, exciting way to learn about the amazing Everglades system that provides so much to our environment,” Pecenka said. “We would like to extend our gratitude to the Everglades Foundation for their continued partnership in facilitating this event and hope attendees went home with a deeper knowledge and appreciation for the Everglades.”