According to a April 28, 2026 Florida State Government press release, Governor Ron DeSantis presented four distinguished individuals with the Governor’s Medal of Freedom, one of the highest honors in the state of Florida. These recipients—Paul Tudor Jones II, Nathaniel P. “Nat” Reed, George Barley, and Mary Barley—have each played a vital role in protecting and restoring the Florida Everglades, leaving a lasting legacy on the state’s natural resources and environmental policy. The awards to Nat Reed and George Barley were presented posthumously.
Paul Tudor Jones II is a nationally recognized investor, philanthropist, and conservationist who has been a driving force behind Everglades restoration efforts for more than three decades. In 1993, he co-founded The Everglades Foundation, where he has served as Chairman of the Board, leading science-based efforts to restore the historic “River of Grass,” reduce nutrient pollution, and protect Florida’s water systems. His environmental leadership has supported the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and earned national recognition, including the Audubon Medal.
Nathaniel P. “Nat” Reed (1933–2018) was a lifelong Floridian and influential conservation leader who helped shape modern environmental policy at both the state and national levels. Serving as Assistant Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Nixon and Ford, he played a key role in landmark legislation including the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. In Florida, Reed was instrumental in halting projects that threatened the Everglades, including the proposed jetport in Big Cypress and the Cross Florida Barge Canal. Over decades of service, he helped build bipartisan support for Everglades restoration and advised multiple governors on environmental policy.
George Barley (1934–1995) was a businessman and environmental visionary whose leadership helped launch the modern Everglades restoration movement. A Florida native and Harvard graduate, Barley co-founded The Everglades Foundation in 1993 to advance science-based solutions for protecting South Florida’s ecosystem. He advocated for restoring natural water flows and holding polluters accountable, bringing together stakeholders to address growing environmental challenges. His legacy continues to shape restoration efforts following his untimely passing in 1995.
Mary Barley is a conservationist who continued her husband George Barley’s work advancing Everglades restoration following his passing. A founding director of The Everglades Foundation, she served as Board Chair from 1995 to 2002 and later as Vice Chair, remaining actively involved for more than three decades. She has been a consistent advocate for reducing nutrient pollution, restoring natural water flows, and supporting major restoration efforts, including the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. She has also served on boards such as the World Wildlife Fund and was inducted into the Everglades Coalition Hall of Fame in 2025.
Photo by Mark Jacquez on Unsplash