We were deeply honored to welcome Curtis Osceola, Chief of Staff for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, to our Board of Directors earlier this year. Curtis has been a driving force behind our Green Heart of the Everglades project, tirelessly pursuing every avenue to ensure its success. It is a testament to his commitment to the Tribe and to the ecological integrity of the land that we have got as far as we have. 

Curtis is a highly respected leader who has been instrumental in advancing the Tribe’s conservation and legislative agenda, with a particular focus on Everglades Restoration and Tribal Sovereignty. As a strategic advisor to the Miccosukee Business Council and Chairman, Curtis guides the Tribe’s efforts across business, policy, and legislative affairs, and has represented the Miccosukee Tribe on the South Florida Ecological Restoration Task Force, advocating for projects that safeguard Indigenous lands and cultural heritage.

The Miccosukee Tribe, alongside the Seminole Tribe, has a long and resilient history in the Everglades, where their culture and survival have been deeply intertwined with the land for centuries. After enduring the Seminole Wars and forced relocation, the Miccosukee rebuilt their communities in the Big Cypress Swamp, which became protected as a National Preserve in 1974. Since gaining federal recognition in 1962, the Tribe has achieved economic independence through ventures like the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Complex while continuing to champion Everglades conservation and cultural preservation. Their ongoing efforts in environmental protection, cultural awareness, and community development underscore their dedication to safeguarding their ancestral lands and enhancing the well-being of their people.

Curtis’s legal acumen, grounded in his experience as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County, where he handled complex cases and defended client rights, has been crucial in shaping his approach to leadership. He holds a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and has a strong background in legal strategy, complex litigation, and policy reform. Curtis is also recognized for his work in strengthening the Tribe’s partnerships with corporate and government entities, and for his commitment to integrating Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge into modern conservation efforts, helping bridge cultural heritage with environmental stewardship. Beyond his legal and conservation work, Curtis’s leadership development includes participation in the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School, where he gained insights into cross-sector collaboration and driving systemic change.

We feel immensely privileged to have him and his unique insight, passion and expertise on our team, and to work alongside him to advance our mission of empowering Indigenous communities and ensuring that our conservation initiatives are collaborative, effective, and sustainable - both in Florida and around the world.