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Lucky Ducklings Find New Home in Restoration Area Twelve very lucky Black-bellied Whistling Ducklings made their new home at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in October. The ducklings had been rescued in early September and were raised at the Conservancy’s von Arx Wildlife Hospital. Volunteers and staff released the ducklings into one of our marsh and prairie restoration sites, where work has been underway since the past year -- a testament to the tremendous value our marsh and prairie restoration has for improving wildlife habitat. Read more and watch a short video from the release.

Ducklings acclimating to their new environment.

Dodson Spur Reopens The Dodson Spur, the last remaining hurricane-damaged section of the boardwalk, has re-opened! Due to the need to prioritize higher-use areas of the boardwalk, this spur remained closed and was a constant reminder of the difficult days faced after Irma. Thanks to generous philanthropic support to fund its full repair, our boardwalk is finally complete again. However, boardwalk repairs do not end here. We now turn our attention to the Corkscrew Learning Amphitheater and Sanctuary for Students (C.L.A.S.S. loop), used for youth and public programming, as well as ongoing maintenance throughout the boardwalk. It costs approximately $5K for materials and labor to repair ten feet of our beloved boardwalk. Read more Dodson Spur after repairs.

Engaging Our Visitors We know that interpretation on the boardwalk helps visitors experience the Western Everglades, and we are excited to announce the return of our Boardwalk Naturalist volunteers! Several days a week, skilled and passionate Boardwalk Naturalists will be wearing their khaki-colored uniforms and ready to answer questions and point out sights and sounds of the swamp for visitors. Remember, online tickets are required for visitors and members. Online tickets. Boardwalk naturalist with guests.

Our Public Programs are Filling Fast! Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is an Important Bird Area, part of the Atlantic Flyway for bird migration, the gateway site for the southwest region of the Great Florida Birding Trail, so it makes sense that our Early Birding Walks are very popular. We also offer Sunset Strolls, Night Walks, and this month the Sanctuary has added a new program to the line-up. Family Night Walks are perfect for families with children aged 5-15, and the first one is coming up on Nov. 19! Friends of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary members enjoy discounts on guided walk purchases. Read more Full moon during the guided Night Walk.

Spotted: A Florida Panther! One morning in late October, staff members spotted two Florida panthers in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary backcountry. Senior Resource Manager Allyson Webb captured this image of one of the panthers before they both disappeared into the vegetation. This sighting was Allyson’s sixtieth panther sighting since she began work with the Sanctuary in 2004, and confirms the importance of the Sanctuary’s 13,450 acres that serve as a critical wildlife corridor for this endangered species. A Florida panther on a back-country road in the Sanctuary.

Audubon Assembly Comes to Corkscrew Sanctuary The Sanctuary welcomed nearly 60 guests from around the state for the Southwest Florida field trip as part of Audubon Florida’s annual Assembly event. Activity stations on the boardwalk enabled guests to learn about natural climate solutions and how management activities - such as wetland restoration and prescribed fire - are helping make the Sanctuary and neighboring communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change.  Read more about Audubon Florida's annual event. Assembly participants on the boardwalk.

Protecting Biodiversity on a Hemispheric Scale Last month, the Sanctuary provided an opportunity for staff and an advisory committee member from the National Audubon Society to explore the value of hemispheric conservation in person. Aurelio Ramos and others with the Audubon Americas Program met with Sanctuary Director Lisa Korte for a guided tour and discussions. Find out what species of migratory bird they saw, and learn more about how we can work together to create a brighter future for the birds, wildlife, and human communities of the Americas.  Read more Audubon Americas staff and supporters at the Sanctuary. Protecting Water Quality is Good for Birds and Beer! At Ankrolab Brewing Company in Naples, brewers realize that the quality of the beer they create depends on good quality water. Wetlands naturally improve water quality by filtering out pollutants while providing crucial habitat for many nesting birds including the Roseate Spoonbill. In recognition of Roseate Spoonbills and the importance of water, Ankrolab Brewing Company has released a new craft beer called Spoonbill Ale. Available for a limited time only, the ale is flavored with mango and guava and steeped with dragon fruit powder to give it a “rosy” hue. In honor of the release, Ankrolab will make a donation to Audubon Florida.  Read more Spoonbill Ale at Ankrolab Brewery

Members Get In Free As a reminder, Friends of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary members receive free admission to the boardwalk all year long. Thanks to our online ticketing platform, members and visitors can appreciate shorter wait times at the admissions desk and less crowding on the boardwalk. With our new online system, members no longer need to carry their membership cards!   Read more Members get free admission. Celebrating Small Businesses In honor of Small Business Saturday (Nov. 22), we are celebrating some of the vendors and artisans whose merchandise is locally made and available through our store. Find books, photography, and wares by area artists, logo items like magnets and t-shirts produced by local businesses, there’s even hand-crafted jewelry and holiday ornaments. For some of these vendors, our store is the only place where you can purchase their unique items. Stop in the store on your next visit, or shop online!   Read more A variety of handcrafted items and locally-made items on sale.

In Other News

The Shape of Orchids Art Exhibit The Sanctuary is known for its amazing “Super” Ghost Orchid, which has inspired many photographers, artists, and authors to share their passion for these amazing flowers. Anyone who loves orchids and appreciates art might like “The Shape of Orchids” exhibit, on display at the Florida Gulf Coast University Library through December 3. The exhibit highlights rare prints, stamps, comics, photos by Clyde Butcher, and much more. Read more The Shape of Orchids Exhibit is on Display through Dec. 3 at FGCU

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