On my way to Naples for a 3 day adventure, I took a short side trip to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It is located 13 miles east of I75 near Naples.
Corkscrew is a 13,000 acre wilderness preserved and maintained by the National Audubon Society. It was established to protect the largest remaining stand of ancient bald cypress left in North America. During the 1940's and 50's, cypress forests in Florida were being leveled for their timber. National Audubon had protected the wading birds nesting within Corkscrew Swamp since 1912 and realized the forest must be saved.
In 1954, the Corkscrew Cypress Rookery Association was formed. At that time, Tidewater Cypress Center Company and Collier Enterprises owned the forest and agreed to work out a program of acquisition with the Rookery Association. Thanks to the generous support of individuals across the country, money was raised to purchase 2,240 acres. Another 3,200 acres were eventually purchased.
A 2.2 mile raised boardwalk takes visitors through 4 distinct environments: a wet prairie, a pine upland, a cypress forest, and a marsh. Interpretive signs line the boardwalk and volunteer field guides are available to answer questions.
See separate postings for animals and plants of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
