President Harry S. Truman formally dedicated Everglades National Park on December 6, 1947 in a ceremony held at Everglades City, making it the first national park preserved primarily for its abundance and variety of life, rather than for scenic or historic values. Not only is the park home to rare and endangered species, such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee, it is also the largest designated wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains.

         Additionally, it contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere and is the most significant breeding grounds for tropical wading birds in North America. Since its inception in 1947, the park has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, in recognition of its significance to all the people of the world.