Everglades National Park was somewhat of an anomaly when it was authorized in Congress back in 1934. It marked the first time that federal land was set aside for its abundance of plant and animal species, rather than for its breathtaking scenic views.

Today, Everglades National Park continues to face threats that make it the only US world heritage site officially considered to be under threat from challenges like energy production, surrounding urban growth, and nutrient pollution from agriculture. To dive into some of these issues, we’re joined today by Dr. Chris Wilhelm, a history professor at the College of Coastal Georgia, and author of From Swamp to Wetlands, the Creation of Everglades National Park.