Florida’s landmark investment in Everglades restoration represents one of the most ambitious ecosystem recovery efforts in the United States. While protected public lands remain essential to conservation, most U.S. land is privately managed, meaning that decisions made by homeowners, businesses and developers increasingly influence biodiversity outcomes. Against this backdrop, Bridget Washburn, Executive Director of Audubon Western Everglades, argues that conservation is entering a new phase. Long-term success depends on whether conservation extends into the places where people live, build and make daily choices. At its core, Washburn’s argument reframes conservation as a collective endeavor shaped by daily choices.