An author and conservationist who lived for 108 years, Marjory Stoneman Douglas staunchly defended the Everglades against efforts to drain it and reclaim land for development. Her best-known book, The Everglades: River of Grass, portrayed this vast expanse of slow-moving water as a valuable ecosystem, rather than a useless swamp. Douglas’ life and causes are celebrated in a new book by local author Marya Repko, Grandma of the Glades: A Brief Biography of Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

Repko, who has written several other short local histories, includes many photos and quotes from Douglas’ friends that portray her as a fascinating, influential environmental advocate. “The book is just enough to give you an appreciation of a unique woman in Florida history and to encourage you to delve deeper into the recommended reading,” says Repko.

Copies are available from the publisher at ECity-Publishing.com or by calling 239-695-2905.