Changes in Blair Center Admissions Fees We are continually working to protect the Sanctuary while providing access to this special place. Timed ticketing has been especially helpful in reducing congestion with the goal of providing a safe and tranquil experience for all. To help the Sanctuary recover from significant budget shortfalls due to the pandemic, we will be increasing our admission fee to $17 per adult starting on Jan. 19. Admissions fees help support boardwalk maintenance, restore the landscape, and support Sanctuary operations. We will also be unveiling a new ticketing platform in the coming month. Keep in mind, all visitors, including members, are required to purchase tickets or reserve spots online. If you love the Sanctuary, please consider purchasing a membership. Individual annual membership provides unlimited visits and costs the same as visiting four times. There are many other membership categories from which to choose. Plus, as a member, you are supporting the conservation and management of an important component of the Western Everglades.Find membership information here.

Lettuce Lake view. Photo: Arnold Collens.

Partnering to Restore Wetlands Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has partnered with Big Cypress Basin to restore wetland habitats. The Sanctuary’s wetlands are a critical source of water flowing back into the aquifer, as well as water flowing to the Imperial and Cocohatchee Rivers that feed Estero Bay’s estuaries. Through its Local Partnership Grant Program, Big Cypress Basin is providing $100,000 toward the multi-million dollar effort to restore ecologic function to wetland habitats within the Sanctuary that have been taken over by invasive plants. Read more

A Great Egret forages in a marsh. Photo: Arnold Collens

Audubon's Christmas Bird Count Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary staff annually coordinate a group of community scientists to collect data for Audubon's Christmas Bird Count. Now in its 121st year thanks to the dedication of thousands of volunteers, the annual Christmas count provides a crucial, long-term dataset about birds to help scientists understand population trends. This year, 45+ socially-distant volunteers collected data on the numbers and species of birds seen within the Corkscrew Swamp count circle, which includes locations from Lake Trafford to Oil Well Road. Read more

Socially-distant community scientists participate in Audubon's Christmas Bird Count.

Save the Date! Give Where You Live Collier is Feb. 10-11 The Sanctuary was selected as one of only 40 nonprofits to participate in Give Where You Live Collier (GWYLC) day on February 10 - 11. This 24-hour online fundraiser, hosted by the Community Foundation of Collier County and the Richard M. Schulze Foundation, offers matching gifts and prizes to all participating nonprofits. Last year’s Give Day raised over $5 million dollars! We hope you’ll participate and help make our inaugural year a huge success, especially as we work to recover from the financial impacts of COVID-19. Check out our profile page and GWYLC website.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the News Outlet: Naples Daily News Headline: Audubon Christmas Bird Count gives scientists vital population data Excerpt: As 2020 comes to a close, the National Audubon Society’s massive cohort of volunteers gathered their binoculars and notebooks and headed outside to participate in the 121st Christmas Bird Count. “These people are more than just volunteers, they are community scientists,” said Renee Wilson, spokeswoman for Audubon Florida. “They are providing a very important research component to scientists who are trying to understand bird population trends.” Wilson also works with Southwest Florida’s Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples. Outlet: Naples Florida Weekly Headline: How to attract “snowbirds” and other feathered friends to your yard Excerpt: There are more birds in Florida during the winter than any other season. Whether they’re in town for months or just stopping by for a few weeks as they head farther south, it’s a great opportunity for bird lovers to see species they don’t usually get to enjoy.  Outlet: Tampa Bay Times Headline: Most Florida panthers found dead in 2020 were killed by cars Excerpt: At least 20 Florida panthers died in 2020, almost all of them because of people. Bradley Cornell, a Southwest Florida policy associate for Audubon Florida, said panther deaths are a reminder of the importance of preserving conservation land and big ranches as habitat in the middle of the state where the animals could expand. Outlet: Coastal Breeze News Headline: Attract Hummingbirds to your yard Excerpt: Florida is host to many resident birds that are year-rounders and also enjoy many winter bird visitors. Dr. Shawn Clem, Research Director of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, stated on December 7th that the Sanctuary released a ruby-throated hummingbird into their native plant and pollinator garden.

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