PALM BEACH, Fla.—Today, 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.
“Today, I was proud to recognize Paul Tudor Jones and Mary Barley, as well as the legacies of Nathaniel P. “Nat” Reed and George Barley, for their leadership in protecting and restoring Florida’s Everglades,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Thanks to their efforts, future generations will have the priceless opportunity to enjoy our state’s natural treasure.”
The Governor’s Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the state of Florida and its citizens, and today’s recipients have done that.
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. He founded Tudor Investment Corporation in 1980 and later co-founded the Robin Hood Foundation to combat poverty. 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.
The Governor’s Medal of Freedom was established in 2020 under Section 14.35, Florida Statutes, which allows the Governor to recognize any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the interests and citizens of the state, its culture, or other significant public or private endeavor. The legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden was the inaugural recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Freedom on April 7, 2021. Other recipients include Felix I. Rodríguez-Mendigutía, Barbara Nicklaus, Benjamin Ferencz, Jimmy Buffett, Lincoln Díaz-Balart, Bob Graham, Buddy MacKay, John Thrasher, and Charles Canady, who have each been recognized for their lasting contributions to the state of Florida and beyond.
Media Release, Image: Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
