Individuals can take steps to help defend the Everglades from further destruction and protect the rights of the Independents, Miccosukees, Seminoles and glades people at the Walk for Future Generations from March 20 to 25. The path takes walkers from Miami to Naples along the Tamiami Trail. The base camp will open at 1 p.m., March 19, at Trail Lakes Campgrounds, in Ochopee, with the march, first protest and press conference starting at 9:30 a.m. the next day at the Miami S334 Pump Station on the levee.

The 80-mile trek gives participants the opportunity to see some of the best sites Florida has to offer. The path includes seven national and state parks, a World Heritage site and designated Outstanding Florida Waters, along the proposed route of the River of Grass Greenway (ROGG). Group fire circles will be held at the end of each day and free camping, meals and transportation will be provided.

Spearheaded by Bobby C. Billie, the council of the Original Miccosukee Simanolee Nation Aboriginal Peoples and Betty Osceola, of the Panther Clan and Miccosukee Tribe, the primary goals are to stop the expansion of new Everglades oil operations and fracking, shut down the ROGG, overturn the Richter and Rodriguez pro-fracking bills, veto the deficient water bill, halt the deregulation of archeological artifacts, oppose the regulation of indigenous plant gathering and compel policymakers to send clean water south to restore the Everglades as mandated by Amendment 1 and the massive, 30-year Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

The walk will stop at key points for protests and press conferences. Anyone can attend these events to welcome walkers, hold signs, listen to speakers and call on policymakers for just actions. At the start, Everglades Restoration and sending clean water south will be addressed; at Raccoon Point, irresponsible oil operations and bills that fast-track fracking; at Monument Lake, site of the historic Seminole Conference, bills that threaten sacred sites; at Big Cypress Headquarters, ROGG and seismic testing in respective petition deliveries; and at Everglades City McLeod Park, ROGG with a call for Everglades City Council and Miami Parks Service to officially withdraw their support.

Locations: base camp, 40904 Tamiami Tr. E.; pump station, 1 mi. East of 177 Ave. and SW 8th St.; March’s end, Collier Seminole Seminole State Park, 20200 Tamiami Tr. E. For more information, call 239-404-2171, email [email protected] or [email protected] or visit Walk for Future Generations on Facebook.