top of page
AdobeStock_85909873.jpg
Picture1.png

NATHANIEL REED

AN EVERGLADES WARRIOR

1933-2018

Upon the wishes of the Reed Family, The Everglades Foundation Board of Directors will establish the Nathaniel P. Reed ForEverglades Stewardship Fund.  This endowed fund will forever honor Nathaniel’s commitment to protecting and advocating for America’s Everglades.

The Everglades Foundation announced the passing of Everglades legend Nathaniel Pryor Reed on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.  Those who worked and served alongside him or knew him well offered up their own words in remembrance of his life dedicated to public service and the protection of natural resources.

 

REMEMBERING NATHANIEL REED IN THEIR OWN WORDS

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson

“Florida lost one of its greatest environmental champions today. Nat Reed was a true friend, who cared deeply for our state. I think it would be a fitting tribute to name the new reservoir project south of Lake Okeechobee in his honor.”

U.S. Representative Charlie Crist

“Floridians for generations to come are indebted to Nathaniel Reed for protecting our beautiful environment and our Florida Everglades. We will honor his memory by recommitting ourselves to being good stewards of our environment.”

U.S. Representative Brian Mast

“Nathaniel Reed was a tireless advocate to protect the Everglades and his contributions will continue to be felt for decades to come.  He championed bipartisanship, saying that ‘the Everglades doesn’t care what party you belong to, she cares what you do.’  We must live up to this legacy because too much is at stake to give up the battle.”

U.S. Representative Tom Rooney

“Rest in peace to a great man and mentor.”

U.S. Representative Darren Soto

“Thank you Nathaniel Reed for your life’s work of protecting endangered species, the Everglades and other environmental treasures! Serving on US House Committee on Natural Resources, we recognize your legacy everyday as we protect critical species, the famed River of Grass and Florida’s natural beauty.”

Former Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy

“Many people have supported Everglades restoration, yet I see him as the champion. His passion, his knowledge, his commitment was unmatched…He was irascible, but always in a good way, and I think it was his passion that fueled the twinkle is his eyes. He is irreplaceable, and he will surely be missed.  His spirit lives on within all of us who were fortunate to know him, and the Everglades will be eternally in his debt…Nathaniel Reed is the face of Everglades restoration. I think he would be proud of that.”

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein

“The only thing more important to Florida than our iconic natural resources are the Floridians that work to protect and celebrate those resources.  As a public servant, Nathaniel served Floridians under multiple governors and two presidents on environmental issues. Nathaniel was also one of Florida’s leading environmental voices, serving the Everglades Foundation and a number of environmental groups.  Nathaniel will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in Florida’s natural resources.

Florida Senate President Joe Negron

“My friend and constituent Nathaniel Reed was a resolute force of nature who devoted his life to protecting the environment of Florida and the United States.  He was a trusted adviser on conservation issues to many U.S. Presidents and Florida Governors.  I will personally never forget his unwavering support for the Senate Bill 10 EAA Southern Reservoir and his lifelong commitment to Everglades restoration.  Mr. Reed loved Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound and Martin County.  His prominent standing in the modern history of Florida is secure and irreplaceable. The thoughts and prayers of our entire community are with his family during this difficult time.”

Florida Representative Heather Fitzenhagen

“He was an intellectual, unrelenting advocate for the Everglades. No doubt his loss swept through the sea of grass tonight, laying the blades low.”

Florida Representative Gayle Harrell

“Having known Nat Reed in many capacities for over 45 years, I am truly saddened by his passing.  He was an icon in our community and contributed so much not only to Martin County, but also our environment and the state.  He was committed to helping our most vulnerable.  I served on the Board of Tri County Rehabilitation Center now HPS (Helping People Succeed) and Chaired the event when he hosted one of our first ‘Six Million Dollar Evenings’ back in the seventies.  He was a true champion of our rivers and estuaries.  I worked closely with him over many years on many projects to benefit our rivers and environment including Legacy Florida.  His calm and gracious manner will be sorely missed.”

National Audubon Society President & CEO David Yarnold

“Nat was a giant in conservation—that phrase is used a lot but in Nat’s case it’s true. His scientific knowledge and his passion for birds and wild places made him a hero for decades and Audubon will miss him dearly.”

South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Chairman Federico Fernandez

“On another sad note, former District Governing Board Member, Nat Reed, passed away yesterday.  Obviously, a lot of us that grew up down here and were born and raised down here know very well of his legacy and all that he contributed, especially when it comes to anything having to do with the ‘Glades at large.  Mr. Reed served on the District’s Governing Board for a total of 15 years from 1979-1989 and again from 1993-1997.  As a board member, Mr. Reed was committed to preserving America’s Everglades.  He will be sadly and greatly missed, and I’m sure his legacy will continue to receive support from the folks up on this dais and at the District.”

Author & Miami Herald Columnist Carl Hiaasen

“The Everglades has lost a great friend and champion. Nat Reed was literally a force of nature.”

Everglades Foundation Chairman-elect Carlos de la Cruz

“What a sad moment for all of us. It was a true privilege to have met him and to work by his side in his true passion.”

Everglades Foundation Founding Member Paul Tudor Jones

“The largest redwood in the forest has fallen and the earth shakes. Fish, fowl, and fauna lament the loss of their greatest, truest friend in every sense of the word. I have never known a person who revered God’s creatures as much as him. His love of all living things is what made him their most passionate advocate. If we could each be but 1/100th of what Nat was in his advocacy of Nature’s gift to us,  we could save the planet. What is certain is that he soars with angels now and he sits at the right hand of our Maker.”

Photographer & Everglades Foundation Board Member Mac Stone

“Nat made an indelible mark on my life and was the inspiration behind so much of my work in the Everglades. My fondest memory in the Glades will always be watching him shout in stunned disbelief as thirty snail kites foraged for snails in front of our boat on Lake O. The smile never left his face that afternoon.”

Richard Nixon Foundation

“Nathaniel Reed played a key role in the strong environmental legacy of the Nixon administration. Mr. Reed’s groundbreaking work in writing and passing the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act has had a profound and lasting effect in the protection of this planet.”

Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg

“He was an avid outdoorsman with an unparalleled passion for restoring the Everglades.  Personally, I’ve been privileged to know and work with Nathaniel over the last 16 years, and I am proud to have called him my friend.  He was a master of words, bastion of principle, and a constant provider of sound counsel.  He had irreverent wit that was matched equally by kindness.  His encouragement to do what is right and never give up has inspired generations of conservationists, including myself.  What he gave to America’s Everglades is beyond measure. I am a better person for knowing Nathaniel Reed.”

Nathaniel Pryor Reed played a vital role in the founding of The Everglades Foundation and he served on the Board of Directors for twenty-five years.  He was a guiding force in securing bipartisan support for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) approved by the State of Florida and U.S. Congress in 2000.  His leadership transformed the environmental culture, values, and public policies of our state and nation.  Reed served six Florida Governors and two U.S. Presidents.  As Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and National Parks, his legacy includes the Endangered Species and Clean Water Acts, pressing for land protection in Alaska, and defending redwoods in California. He served Florida proudly for 14 years as a member of the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District, helping solidify the agency’s legacy as a leader in Everglades restoration.

News Coverage

New York Times  “Nathaniel Reed, Tireless Environmental Advocate, Dies at 84.”

National Geographic  “Man Behind Endangered Species Act Dies at 84.”

Washington Post  “Nathaniel Reed, leader in efforts to protect endangered wildlife & wetlands, dies at 84.”

Tampa Bay Times  “Nathaniel Reed, Florida environmental advocate and co-author of the Endangered Species Act, dies at 84.”

WLRN “Nathaniel Reed, Champion Of Florida’s Everglades And The Endangered Species Act, Dies At 84.”

TC Palm “Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Reed dies; worked to save Florida’s Everglades, environment across US.”

Orlando Sentinel “Nathaniel Reed, pioneer Florida environmentalist, dies at 84.”

Orvis “Wednesday Wake-Up Call”

TC Palm “Nathaniel P. ‘Nat’ Reed: Jupiter Island memorial service set for renowned environmentalist.”

Palm Beach Post “Nelson, Rubio want Hobe Sound refuge renamed to honor Nat Reed”

bottom of page