Who We Are
South Florida and the Caribbean boast a number of national park superlatives that include vast numbers of tropical marine and terrestrial treasures. These parks form the backbone of the tourist economy and play critical roles in storing and filtering water and providing breeding and nursery areas for a huge array of wildlife.
From the Native American history that can be found in Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve to the world's largest 19th-century brick fort located in Dry Tortugas National Park and the sparkling white seashores of Virgin Island National Park to the off shore nature trails in Gulf Islands National Seashore America's rich natural beauty and heritage are at the heart of our national parks.
In addition to their ecological, cultural, and historical value, the national parks of the Sun Coast region generate millions of dollars annually for local economies. Everglades National Park, a U.N. World Heritage site, contributes $120 million in tourism revenues annually to the local economy. Together, the South Florida parks support a thriving commercial and recreational sport fishing industry. Throughout the region, national parks form the backbone of tourism economies, attracting boaters, snorklers, divers, and nature lovers from all over the world.
In order to better protect and represent these wondrous national parks, including crown jewels such as Everglades National Park, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) opened a South Florida Field Office in 1998, which later became a regional office in 2002. This office works on behalf of the national parks of Florida, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the Gulf Coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
