The Hole-in-the-Donut area (HID) is an area of the park that was used for agriculture from 1915 to 1970. Farming was halted when NPS began purchasing the land. Five years later, all 6,600 acres were purchased, but there was a problem.
Farmed soil enabled the growth of invasive Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) which crowded out native vegetation and wildlife. This area – invasives surround by natives – was dubbed the Hole-in-the-Donut. in 1997, an effort was made to restore the wetland. Now, almost 30 years later, native vegetation and wildlife have returned to the area as the Everglades continues to reclaim the land.
On June 20th, 2025, NPS fire team burned 1,506 acres of the Hole-in-the-Donut area as part of a controlled prescribed burn. This burn helps manage the invasive plant species that have dominated the area for years, while promoting the growth, flowering, and fruiting of native plant species in the area.
Fire is important down here in South Florida! In 1958, Everglades National Park became the first national park to implement prescribed burns. Since then, the NPS has continued to light fires in the park to maintain the Everglades ecosystem. These prescribed burns don’t only benefit the Everglades. These controlled burns reduce the risk of wildfires and protect the people who live in and around the park by reducing highly flammable vegetation.
See the Hole-in-the-Donut area by booking an Everglades Experience van tour with the Everglades Institute!
