In a strong show of commitment to environmental preservation and community well-being, The Everglades Foundation, Coral Gables Trust, and real estate leader Judy Zeder of The Jills Zeder Group at Coldwell Banker joined forces on Monday evening at the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club in Coconut Grove for an exclusive cocktail reception. The event, themed “Everglades to Bay: How Everglades Restoration is Saving Miami’s Water,” celebrated Everglades Day and honored the legacy of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, whose advocacy transformed public perception of the Everglades and continues to inspire conservation efforts.
The evening brought together 75 of Miami’s top conservation advocates and business leaders in an intimate setting at one of the oldest yacht clubs in the country. Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation, led a conversation focused on the vital role of the Everglades. He explained how the Everglades replenishes the Biscayne Aquifer, Miami’s source of drinking water.
“Restoring the Everglades is not only an environmental imperative, it’s a lifeline for Miami’s future,” said Eric Eikenberg. “By protecting this unique ecosystem, we are taking critical steps to ensure that our water remains clean, abundant, and resilient amid rapid urban growth and climate challenges.”
Guests enjoyed a relaxed cocktail reception that doubled as both a celebration of the region’s natural heritage and a call to action for ongoing conservation efforts. Judy Zeder, one of the country’s most successful realtors and an advocate for Everglades restoration, stressed the importance of working together to preserve these vital ecosystems. “It is our duty to protect the natural assets that sustain our environment and our communities,” Zeder remarked.
“Our involvement in this event reinforces our commitment to the communities we serve and the environment that sustains them,” said Donald A. Kress, CEO and President of Coral Gables Trust. “By supporting conservation efforts like these, we can help create a lasting impact for future generations.”
Throughout the evening, the discussion highlighted how the Everglades serves as a natural reservoir that filters pollutants and combats harmful saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources. The conversation underscored the urgent need for restoration efforts that protect Miami’s water supply, a message that resonated deeply given the region’s rapid development and environmental challenges.
The Everglades Foundation continues to lead restoration efforts through scientific research, advocacy, and education, ensuring that the Everglades will be protected for the benefit of our environment and economy for future generations. With a legacy of impactful work, the Foundation remains at the forefront of efforts to restore and protect America’s Everglades.
As the night came to a close, the collaborative spirit among the hosts and attendees served as a powerful reminder that safeguarding our natural environment is the key to ensuring a sustainable future for Miami. The event not only marked a landmark day for environmental advocacy, but also reinforced the ongoing dialogue needed to secure our region’s most precious resource, its water.
For more information on The Everglades Foundation and to learn about their ongoing efforts to restore and protect this vital landscape, visit www.evergladesfoundation.org
About Coral Gables Trust
Coral Gables Trust (CGT) is the fastest-growing independent and privately held trust company headquartered in South Florida and a leading provider of Trust and Estate, Wealth Management, and Financial Planning services for clients throughout the State, nationwide, and internationally. Devoted to putting our clients’ interests first, CGT provides conflict-free services, personalized advice, open-architecture institutional quality (no proprietary products), and asset-based fees.
About The Jills Zeder Group:
The Jills Zeder Group at Coldwell Banker Realty is consistently ranked the #1 real estate team in the United States. The team is comprised of three families and two generations: Judy Zeder, Nathan Zeder, and Meredith Zeder; Jill Hertzberg, Danny Hertzberg, and Hillary Hertzberg Benson; and Jill Eber and her sister Felise Eber. The Jills Zeder Group has sold over $5 billion in real estate sales in just the last two years. With offices in Coral Gables and Miami Beach, The Jills Zeder Group specializes in high-end, multimillion-dollar luxury properties in South Florida’s most elite enclaves, representing celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, and a diverse international clientele. They offer incomparable knowledge and services to luxury real estate clients. For more information on The Jills Zeder Group, visit JillsZeder.com or contact Judy Zeder at Judy@jillszeder.com.
About The Everglades Foundation:
The Everglades Foundation is the leading science-based organization committed to the restoration and protection of America’s Everglades. Through science, advocacy, and education, our dynamic team is unparalleled in its mission. Founded in 1993 by two outdoor enthusiasts – Paul Tudor Jones II and the late George Barley – The Everglades Foundation works tirelessly to bring people together and provide a powerful bipartisan voice for Everglades restoration. The Foundation’s team includes renowned scientists, experienced educators, policy experts, and professionals in communications. By coupling this breadth of expertise with a passion for restoration, The Everglades Foundation is at the helm of the effort to restore and protect the flow of clean freshwater to the Everglades through the world’s largest ecosystem restoration project. Learn more at EvergladesFoundation.org.
About Coldwell Banker Global Luxury:
The Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program embodies the Coldwell Banker brand’s legacy of excellence in luxury real estate and the globalization of luxury real estate in today’s ever-connected market. Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialists are an exclusive group within the Coldwell Banker® system, making up under ten percent of independent sales associates affiliated with the brand worldwide. Coldwell Banker affiliated agents conducted 48,000 transactions of homes priced at $1 million or more in 2022 including 350 transactions over $10 million. This equates to $288 million in luxury sales every day. Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo are registered marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
