• The Florida panther's watchful gaze- Courtesy- Ralph Arwood

    Big Cypress

    National Preserve Florida

  • ORV Related Closures

    Effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2012, Zone 4 airboat access within Big Cypress National Preserve will be closed due to low water conditions. Other areas of the Preserve will be closed to recreational ORV access from June 4 through August 2. More »

Swamp Heritage Days Event

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Date: November 16, 2011
Contact: Bob DeGross, 239-695-1107

Join us at the welcome center for Swamp Heritage Days on December 2 & 3. Be one of the first to see the new historical swamp buggy exhibit. Also learn about swamp heritage through exploring the Rob Storter folk art collection located at the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center and Oasis Visitor Center auditoriums. Park Rangers, volunteers and a local expert will share swamp heritage through programs, activities, and a sing along in the welcome center auditorium.

The visitor centers are open 9:00 to 4:30.

The Rob Storter collection is graciously on loan through December 29, in partnership with the Friends of the Museum of the Everglades. Born in the Everglades, Storter (1894 - 1987) spent his last years recording his memories of growing up, living and working in southwestern Florida, when it was still a road-less and watery wilderness. His drawings and handwritten commentary capture the resilient spirit, natural environs, and dangerous encounters of frontier life in early Everglades City, the Ten Thousand Islands and the Big Cypress Swamp.

Calendar of Events

December 2
- 12:00-12:45  Fisher Folk of the Swamp, by Ranger Rudi Heinrich
- 1:00-1:45  Smoke on the Water, by Ranger Ryan Stubblebine
- 2:00-2:45  Songs of the Big Cypress, by Big Cypress Volunteer Dave and Arlene Gates
- 3:00-3:45  The Story of Rob Storter, by Patty Huff

December 3
- 12:00-12:45  Fisher Folk of the Swamp, by Ranger Rudi Heinrich
- 1:00-1:45  The Story of Rob Storter, by Patty Huff
- 2:00-2:45  Smoke on the Water, by Ranger Ryan Stubblebine
- 3:00-3:45  Songs of the Big Cypress, by Big Cypress Volunteer Dave Gates

For more event information contact the welcome center at 239-695-4758.

 

Did You Know?

Alligator in the swamp.

Within the preserve, the HP Williams and Oasis Wildlife Viewing Platforms are popular areas to see alligators. The best time to see large congregations of alligators is typically from January through May. Remeber not to feed or approach these dangerous animals.