On Saturday, March 19th, Everglades National Park will host "A Century of Preservation" with "A Day of Celebration."

One hundred years ago, in 1905, Audubon warden Guy Bradley was killed by plume hunters illegally taking wading birds from a rookery on Florida Bay near Flamingo. His death galvanized the conservation movement in the United States. Bradley was the first American martyr for wildlife conservation; unfortunately, he was by no means the last. Many men and women of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and other conservation agencies have since died in the line of duty trying to protect our nation's resources and wonders. On March 19, 2005, join us for a day in the park commemorating their sacrifice and the resulting legacy of conservation we enjoy today.

The celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center near the main entrance of Everglades National Park. Enjoy activities for adults and children, special presentations and guest speakers, exhibits and booths, and skits by the Pelican Island Players. Author Stuart McIver will be signing his new book, Death in the Everglades: The Murder of Guy Bradley, America's First Martyr to Environmentalism at the Coe Bookstore. In the afternoon, we invite you to take the scenic drive to the Flamingo area of the park, enjoying the wildlife, vast scenery, and short walks along the way. Then join us at 5:30 p.m. at the Flamingo Amphitheater for a Sunset Commemoration for Guy Bradley and all the fallen heroes of conservation. After sunset, you may wish to stay for a ranger-led evening program at the amphitheater at 7:30 p.m., enjoy a meal at the Flamingo Lodge restaurant, or begin your leisurely drive back home reflecting on these gifts we have received from the past and the promises we will keep for the future.

Both Bradley and his killer had ties to the Pompano area (as was discussed by Stuart McIver when he spoke at the Historical Society last year).

"A Century of Preservation, a Day of Celebration" is a partnership between the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Audubon of Florida.