Our Programs
Your support of Friends of Big Cypress National helps to supports several important environmental and education programs that build a legacy of care and conservation for the preserve.
Environmental Education
S.W.A.M.P. Program
The Swamp Water And Me Program, S.W.A.M.P., is the preserve’s curriculum-based environmental education program, and has operated in partnership with the Collier County Public School District (CCPSD) for over 26 seasons. This program has been available for all CCPSD 6th grade science students reaching nearly 3000 students and their teachers and chaperones each school year along with 3 private schools in the county.
S.W.A.M.P. is included in the CCPSD earth science curriculum and is used as part of their science grade. Teachers have been provided with pre and post site information, videos and lessons as well as attended a mandatory Teacher Workshop before participating in the program. The preserve’s education team provides a pre-site presentation in the classroom to all science classes. This is followed by a day-long field experience in the preserve to become S.W.A.M.P. Scientists conducting field observations, using scientific equipment to perform experiments and collect data in the cypress swamp, prairie and pinelands studying water, soil, weather, animals, and vegetation.
Outreach
The Education/Outreach team provides educational programs in the preserve for other school groups from pre-school through college, as well as a variety of adult special interest groups. Coming from across Florida – and the country – these programs include wet walks, canoe/kayak trips, bike trips, trainings and workshops, Night Sky Programs, the Dragonfly Mercury Citizen Science Project, and a variety of off-site programs featuring special guest speakers in library branches, museums and in nearby communities. Staff also represent the preserve at a variety of local festivals, participate in local parades, and assist other environmental partner agencies with special events and projects.
Organized Special Interest and Educational Groups
This season, we have provided programs for organized special interest groups including Leadership Monroe County, Leadership Collier and their Explorers Club, Greater Naples Leadership, American Association of Landscape Architects, Road Scholars, Ladies Club of Bonita, Temple Shalom, the Paradise Coast Paddle Club, Naples Pride, Arlington of Naples, Sierra Club and the Naples Preserve.
Staff also provide experiences in the swamp for Environmental Studies and Biology students from universities, high schools and middle schools, both local and nationwide throughout the year who come to learn about the Everglades Ecosystem.
Festivals and Special Events
The Outreach Staff represent the preserve at a variety of festivals and special events both in the preserve and around the local communities of Naples, Everglades City, Marco Island, Immokalee and other counties during the season to disseminate information about the resource and programs offered. This season these included the Florida Panther Festival at the Naples Zoo, Panther Day at the Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress Swamp Heritage Festival, Ankrolab 50th Event, the S.W.A.M.P. Celebration, Earth Day Festivals and others. We also participate in Buddy Day for Guadalupe Center, Outdoor Adventure Day for Grace Place of Naples, four Night Sky Events and participate in the Annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Virtual Programs
Over 11,000 students and adults from across the country have joined our rangers in the swamp virtually this winter to participate in programs via ZOOM on the iPads. These programs give students in other parts of the country the opportunity to visit a swamp without leaving their school or home.
Citizen Science Project - DMP
Big Cypress has just completed its annual sampling for the Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP), a nationwide surveillance, monitoring and research program that works with citizen scientists and community volunteers to collect dragonfly larvae for mercury analysis. It is jointly run by the USGS and NPS, in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, Dartmouth College, and other agencies and organizations. Mercury is a global pollutant that, in large amounts, can be toxic to humans and wildlife. The data from this field study help scientists and resource managers better understand and fight mercury contamination. The DMP is now the nation's largest assessment of mercury contamination and environmental risk.
Where your donation goes
Big Cypress National Preserve depends on the donations of friends like you to make these important programs possible. Every dollar helps fund critical staffing and operational needs.
“This isn’t just a piece of land – it’s a living, breathing sanctuary. Together, we can ensure it stays that way.”
— Clyde Butcher | Renowned Landscape Photographer & Conservationist