Nearly two centuries ago, members of a Native American tribe sought sanctuary in Florida’s Everglades during the brutal Seminole Wars, evading U.S. forces determined to displace them to what would eventually become Oklahoma. Today, history is coming full circle — but this time, it’s the Miccosukee Tribe offering protection, not seeking it.
Amid the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to federal conservation funding, the Miccosukee Tribe is stepping forward with a powerful sense of purpose — a “moral obligation” to protect the very lands that once protected them.
The tribe has entered a landmark partnership with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, aiming to purchase and preserve critical environmentally significant lands. Some of these areas once served as tribal refuges, and now they form a vital part of the ambitious Florida Wildlife Corridor — a bold plan to connect 18 million acres (about 7.3 million hectares) of public and private wilderness into a continuous safe habitat for endangered species like Florida panthers, black bears, and Key deer.
Tribal leaders have pledged to work closely with the foundation and other allies to “explore the acquisition and stewardship” of lands within the corridor that hold historic and cultural significance to the Miccosukee people.
“We have a constitutional duty to protect our traditional homelands, the lands and waters that have sustained our tribe since time immemorial,” said Talbert Cypress, Chair of the Miccosukee Tribe, which is based on a 130-square-mile reservation just west of Miami.
Cypress also expressed concern over the unpredictable nature of federal spending, which has made many tribes hesitant to engage in long-term projects. “There’s always been a level of hesitation, largely due to how erratically the government allocates money,” he added.
The agreement was announced at a summit of corridor stakeholders in Orlando last week, just as a report from the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) revealed that 60% of federally recognized tribes have suffered from funding losses exceeding $56 million since Donald Trump assumed office in 2017.
“These services are a part of what we’re owed in return for all we’ve lost — our lands, our resources, and too often, our culture and language,” said Julie Thorstenson, Executive Director of NAFWS, in a recent statement to the Wildlife Society.
With federal funding vanishing and uncertainty looming over existing land stewardship agreements, Cypress said the tribe is recalibrating its strategy — moving away from past isolation and toward collaboration.
“Our former leaders were understandably cautious. They dealt with agencies and conservation groups that often excluded us or broke promises,” he noted. “But my administration believes in a collaborative approach — not just to build new relationships, but to repair old ones and create something lasting.”
Today, the Miccosukee Tribe already shares stewardship of nearly 3 million acres in the Everglades, Biscayne National Park, and the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Cypress says they’re now actively working to identify and prioritize lands within the corridor that hold deep cultural value.
“We will invest some of our own money, but also play a crucial role in bringing in outside investors and partners who are passionate about preserving Florida’s natural habitats,” he said. “We’ve shown that sustainable development is possible — and we want a seat at the table when it comes to shaping Florida’s future.”
He stressed that once these natural lands are lost to development, they’re gone forever. “We must act now — not just for our people today, but for future generations.”
The Florida Wildlife Corridor was officially launched in 2021, backed by state lawmakers who initially allocated $400 million toward a multi-year $2 billion conservation plan. To date, around 10 million acres have been preserved. However, an additional 8 million acres, labeled “opportunity areas,” remain vulnerable and urgently need protection. Environmental advocates warn that, without action, large swaths of this land could vanish under the pressure of commercial development.
While the Florida legislature debates further cuts to corridor funding, it’s also encouraging private sector involvement. At the Orlando summit, the Disney Conservation Fund pledged $1 million to help train conservation teams and expand public access to natural areas and trails.
Description:
"The Miccosukee Tribe is stepping up to protect Florida’s endangered wildlife and historic lands by partnering with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. Amid federal conservation funding cuts, the tribe aims to acquire and preserve key habitats for species like Florida panthers and black bears, while honoring their ancestral connection to the Everglades. This bold initiative highlights Indigenous leadership in sustainable development and land stewardship."