Wandering the Swamp | Environment

On November 1, the Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve hosted their annual SWAMP Wander Event, an immersive day celebrating conservation, nature, and education at Clyde and Niki Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. The event invited the community to experience the beauty and mystery of the swamp through guided walks, engaging educational booths, and a warm introduction with the renowned nature photographer himself.

Guests explored the lush landscape behind the gallery on both Classic and Shallow Walks, each offering a unique opportunity to wade among towering cypress trees and discover the orchids, ferns, and wildlife that thrive in this remarkable ecosystem. Led by preserve rangers and trained guides, participants learned about the fragile balance of the Big Cypress watershed and the importance of protecting its native species.

For those seeking a slower pace, the self-guided accessible trail behind the gallery offered a chance to enjoy the scenery without getting wet. Inside, visitors met Clyde and Niki Butcher for book signings and stories from their decades spent capturing Florida’s wild landscapes through a camera lens.

Educational booths hosted by Big Cypress National Preserve rangers, biologists, and other environmental organizations offered interactive demonstrations about local ecology, wildlife, and the cultural history of the swamp. Talks throughout the day highlighted the ongoing efforts to protect this vast wilderness—one of the last places where the Everglades still runs wild. Between adventures, attendees enjoyed food from the on-site food truck and live presentations from passionate conservationists like Betty Osceola.

Those who opted for the VIP Experience enjoyed exclusive access to Clyde Butcher’s private Swamp Cottage, complete with refreshments, gifts, and sweeping views of the surrounding preserve.

By the end of the day, the event had raised over $40,000 for the Swamp Water and Me Program (S.W.A.M.P.), which gives every sixth grader in Collier County the opportunity to explore and learn about the Big Cypress National Preserve firsthand. The program aims to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards through outdoor education.

Raffle prizes donated by local businesses added to the excitement, with winners to be announced on the Friends of Big Cypress Facebook and Instagram pages. You can find them by searching Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve.

The organization invites both attendees and newcomers to return for their next major community event, the Swamp Heritage Festival on December 6 at the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center, featuring local music, cultural demonstrations, and exhibits from environmental and historical partners.