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As one travels through the rough roads leading into Everglades City, it becomes evident that this town is a portal into Florida’s natural history. The area is surrounded by the expansive Everglades National Park, which has been home to generations who relied on the land’s bounty for their livelihoods.
Historically, residents of Everglades City thrived amidst its natural resources, primarily relying on fishing and hunting. However, the tides changed about 40 to 50 years ago when increased state regulations aimed at controlling these resources began to swing into effect. Regulations that were intended to conserve the environment inadvertently hindered local communities’ ability to sustain themselves, pressing them into an economic corner as traditional means of survival dwindled.