Seventy years ago, brave voices in our community spoke up to protect ancient trees from the threat of the axe and saw. Thanks to their efforts, today we protect 13,000-plus acres in Southwest Florida as a haven for plants, animals, and people.
Since the first land purchase in 1954, Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has become a leader in Southwest Florida conservation. The wetlands protected within the Sanctuary recharge the aquifer, clean stormwater, and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire while reducing algal blooms along the coastline.
From 1954 to today, Audubon staff at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary have built and continue to maintain an iconic 2.25-mile boardwalk that opens the door of this enchanting forest to thousands of locals and visitors. We bring more than 5,000 students to the Sanctuary every year to inspire a lifelong love and curiosity of the natural world. We are restoring more than 1,000 acres of wetland meadows for wading birds, alligators, fish, amphibians, panthers, and more, as well as for our neighbors, as the restored areas hold and clean water while reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Read more about our legacy.
We are kicking off a year-long celebration of all things Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, with events both here and in the wider community. Read on and stay tuned! |