This story was written by our Everglades Institute Naturalist, Maria Ortega
Sometimes, the most unexpected moments lead to the most fantastic learning experiences. It started like any other day in the Everglades. My task with the Everglades Institute was simple: drive guests and park directors, collaborate in the leading of the Anhinga night walk, and share the natural wonders of this incredible park. But by the end of the evening, I had found myself not just interpreting a trail but acting as a translator in the heart of the Everglades, bridging language barriers, and even international environmental discussions.
It was November of 2024 when I arrived in the Everglades National Park to assist with the second Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) workshop, bringing a group of managers from the Caribbean to collaborate in efforts in these protected areas. As a naturalist, I was ready to transport guests and park directors and help in the leading of a night walk on the Anhinga Trail. Little did I know, the evening would unfold in ways that stretched my skills and challenged my perspective on conservation and the critical work happening beyond the Everglades.
As the night walk began, I noticed that many of the participants first language was Spanish, same as mine. It didn’t take long before I decided to switch gears and interpret the trail in Spanish to make them feel more at home in this unique landscape. I quickly noticed how this switch allowed them to understand and connect with the ecosystem on a deeper level.
Just as we thought the night was almost over, The Everglades gave us even a bigger surprise: two Burmese Pythons which park biologists found on the side of the road as we were leaving and quickly caught and use as an educational opportunity to talk about how invasive species like this one threaten not only the Everglades but also other protected areas in the Caribbean. Throughout this conversation, I seamlessly became the interpreter of a larger environmental crisis we all share.
The next day took us onto the waters of Biscayne, as we joined the Biscayne Institute for a boat Tour. My new role? To translate between English and Spanish once again, but this time by the end on the day the conversation turned to coral reef restoration—how different countries are measuring success and what strategies are proving effective. As I translated technical jargon from marine biologists and conservationists from places like Bonaire or the Dominican Republic. It dawned on me that the future of these reefs was being discussed right there on the water, and it gave me an appreciation for the interconnectedness of our natural world.
What started as a simple task of driving and interpreting quickly turned into one of the most memorable and educational experiences of my year. Listening to experts from across the Caribbean speak about their work and the challenges they face brought a deeper understanding of the global scope of environmental preservation. The Everglades, Biscayne, and beyond—they are all pieces of a greater puzzle that I’m now fortunate enough to be part of. As I reflect on those two days, I’m reminded of the power of collaboration—and language—in conservation. It’s not just the Everglades that need our protection; it’s the entire Caribbean, every reef, every species, every ecosystem. If you’ve visited these parks before, you know how magical they are. If you haven’t, I encourage you to come see for yourself. Who knows—you might find yourself in the middle of a conversation that changes your understanding of the natural world.
