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Blair Visitor Center Update

Swallow-tailed Kites Have Returned The Swallow-tailed Kite is a beautiful bird of prey, striking in its shape and extraordinarily graceful flight. These raptors winter in South America and are now heading north through Florida for the spring breeding season. At one time these birds were common sights each summer over much of the southeast, but today they are found mostly in Florida and a few other areas of the deep south. Visitors started spotting them over the Sanctuary last week.Get tickets to visit the Sanctuary.

Swallow-tailed Kite. Photo: Donald Sawin

Learn About Butterflies Day - March 14 Discover the many species of native butterflies at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary on this special day with fun-filled activities for all ages. Short, guided tours focused on butterflies and other pollinators are included with admission – sign up at the front desk. Plus, a puppet show, interpretive programs, garden tours, and more! Members enjoy free admission. Reserve tickets.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly. Photo: Donald Sawin

Summer Camp Registration is Now Open Join us for an exciting, nature-based summer camp for children ages 6-12 years old. Each week features a different theme with fun, interactive, hands-on activities for campers to explore the natural wonders of the Sanctuary. Campers will discover the ancient forest and animals in the Sanctuary and along the boardwalk through activities that integrate science, arts and crafts, sports, water play, and more. Sign up for one week or more. Enrollment costs $235/week or $185/week for members. Scholarships and sibling discounts are also available. Find the complete schedule and link for registration.

Summer campers learning about wildlife.

Final Corkscrew Member Lecture Our Corkscrew Member Lecture Series concludes in our classroom today, March 1, at 11 a.m. with Discoveries from Corkscrew’s Trail Cameras. Research Technician Alex Meinders explains how Audubon staff use camera traps for ongoing monitoring of mammal populations in the Sanctuary. Over the course of six years, the cameras collected more than 930,000 photos, providing information on 18 species and their habitat preferences over time.  Click here for more information and member registration.

Aerial view of the boardwalk. Photo: Jacob Zetzer/Audubon Florida

Corkscrew Photography Exhibit Now On View The Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch is a treasure trove of historic information and interactive experiences. Now through April 27, visitors can learn about Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s past and more through the photography exhibit, which includes indoor and outdoor components. The museum, located at 1215 Roberts Avenue in West Immokalee, is open Tuesday through Sunday with free admission to celebrate our area's history.

A visitor enjoying the photography exhibit at the Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch.

Events and Other News

We're Hiring: Join Our Flock! Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s Blair Audubon Center is one of the National Audubon Society's premiere centers. Operating as part of the Audubon Florida state program, the Sanctuary unites visitor and education experiences with science-based conservation to understand, protect, and restore habitats on our >13,000 acres and regional and connected watershed and public lands corridors. Current openings include seasonal outdoor educator, education manager, and land stewardship technician.  Learn more and apply today. Barn Swallows. Photo: Peter Bauer/Audubon Photography Awards Save the Date for Birdathon April 20-26 Celebrate your love for birds and nature by participating in the Audubon Florida Birdathon! The Birdathon will be open for an entire week. Pick any 24-hour period within the week of April 20 - 26. By joining us, you’ll help raise much-needed funds to protect birds and the places they need, while taking part in one of America’s most popular—and growing—pastimes. We’re even giving away some cool prizes.  Learn more. Birdathon is April 20-26, 2024.

"Chasing Ghosts" Film Screening (Member Exclusive Event) Join us for an exclusive Corkscrew member film screening event with revered National Geographic Explorer and contributor, Mac Stone. Come and watch the short film, “Chasing Ghosts,” which tells the incredible story followed by a special Q&A session with Mac Stone himself and Corkscrew’s Director of Conservation Dr. Shawn Clem. Plus! Shop our ghost orchid pop-up store to take home exclusive merchandise. Tickets for this members-only event are free but must be reserved in advance. Not a member? Join today.    Space is limited - register for the film screening here. Mac Stone in a Corkscrew bald cypress tree. Photo: Peter Houlihan Upcoming Events Check out these upcoming tours and events! March 1 | Member Lecture: Discoveries from Corkscrew's Trail Cameras March 6 | Corkscrew Night Tour March 11 | Corkscrew Night Tour March 12 | Early Birding Tour March 13 | Family Night Tour March 14 | National Learn About Butterflies Day March 16 | Backcountry BYO Bike Tour March 18 | Corkscrew Night Tour March 19 | Early Birding Tour March 20 | Member Event: “Chasing Ghosts”  March 20 | Sunset Stroll March 26 | Early Birding Tour April 3 | Sunset Stroll April 5 | Guided Forest Meditation April 6 | Backcountry BYO Bike Tour April 18 | Ancient Forest Tour April 20 – 26 | Birdathon April 22 | SPECIAL EVENT: Earth Day April 22 | Happiness Workshop with Maria Felipe April 22 | Swamp Buggy Tour We’re open 365 days a year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  View our Calendar of Events. Eastern Phoebe. Photo: Kent Fiala/Audubon Photography Awards

DONATE

Donations and memberships provide crucial support for conservation work at the Sanctuary. The Blair Audubon Center and boardwalk are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last admission at 3 p.m. Online tickets are recommended at www.corkscrew.audubon.org/visit.

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Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 375 Sanctuary Rd., Naples, FL 34120 USA (239) 348-9151 | corkscrew.audubon.org © 2024 National Audubon Society, Inc. Unsubscribe