Walk Through a Real Swamp at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
If you are into wildlife and nature, and if you want to see some of Florida’s real wildlife, then you must visit Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, located on the outskirts of Collier & Lee Counties. This place is not for the weak, and if you’re afraid of bugs, then maybe you had better re-think your options. However, if spiders and snakes don’t bother you and you just can’t leave Florida without seeing alligator’s in their natural habitat, then I highly recommend a visit to the swamp. This is a great place to introduce the importance of wildlife and preservation to young children, as well as showing teenager why it is important to take care of our animals and their habitat. All ages alike will get the opportunity to observe wild animals and how they live as well as where they live. This is the real thing, no cages, and no glass panels separate you from them. You’re in their habitat now. However, you are never in any real danger.
Corkscrew Sanctuary has a 2.25 mile raised boardwalk that will take you safely through some of the deepest parts of the swamp, so wear comfy shoes. The Swamp is protected and managed by the National Audubon Society to insure the protection of the natural process that has been taking place in the swamp for thousands of years. The sanctuary also boasts on having the largest remaining virgin bald cypress forest in North America. These natural wonders are also called cypress knees, because they take the shape of human knees growing up through the swamp. I bet you didn’t expect to see something like that; Florida has some of the most exotic and unique plant life not seen anywhere else. There are signs and plaques all along the boardwalk, letting you know what you are looking at and telling a bit of its history.
The boardwalk starts out in what is called the pine flatwood at the Blair Audubon Center. As you go along, the first thing you will see is the site of an old plume hunter’s camp and the occasional oak and hardwood hammocks that dot the area. This part of Florida is mostly open pine forest and needs to be kept open by periodic burning. If this was not done, the Sawgrass, Cattails, and Pickerel Weed, plants native to Florida but if not kept in check would take over, choking out all other plant life. It is best to walk slowly so you don’t miss anything. Sometimes you don’t even realize you’re looking at something until it moves and catches your eye. Some of these animals and insects are masters at camouflage. Oh, and don’t forget to look up every now and then, you may see a Red Tailed Hawk or a Bald Eagle sitting on the limb above looking down at you.
Make sure you don’t forget your camera, and if you have binoculars, bring them, they will come in handy. In the spring time, Wood Storks nest in the tops of the cypress tress at the north and west edges of the Swamp. If you don’t have binoculars the gift shop will rent you a pair, but get there early, they go fast. You will still see a lot without them, but you’ll wish you had a pair once you start your journey. There are plenty of different types of flowers, plants, and yes insects and spiders of all shapes and sizes. The many species of trees and shrubs will keep tree and plant lovers busy just trying to remember their names. Some of the taller cypress trees are over 600 years old and reach heights of 130 feet, while others are at the tender age of 100, and not quite full grown.
As you walk along the boardwalk, you will journey over wet prairies, pond cypress, marshes, lettuce lakes, and the bald cypress forest. Keep your eyes open or you might miss the alligator lying on that log at the edge of the pond. There are many species of birds, Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Vireos, Mockingbirds, and different types of hawks and even the occasional Bald Eagle, to name a few. If you’re really lucky, like I was at one time, you may get a glimpse of deer. Yes Florida does have there own species of deer; they are about the size of big dogs, but deer just the same. Black Bears live in the swamp too, but I have yet to witness one, maybe next time.
Almost a half mile into the sanctuary, the boardwalk gradually rises to an elevated observation deck. This looks out over the central marsh that is surrounded by old growth cypress trees. A nice breeze will come by at that height to cool you off and rejuvenate you. When you return from where you started, you will want to walk through the Nature Store which offers books, videos, signature clothing, jewelry, and educational games and toys for the children. There’s a porch on the back with benches and rocking chairs that invite visitors to take a break and collect their thoughts about their journey through the sanctuary. There is an outdoor theater called the Swamp Senses Media, and a tearoom with a food service counter. You may also take a tour and learn about Corkscrew’s Living Machine. This is a unique and environmentally friendly waste water treatment plant and is the only one permitted in Florida. (According to Corkscrew Sanctuary, 1994)
When Corkscrew was first created in 1954, it was a remote wilderness, attracting fewer than 10,000 visitors a year. After forty years however, the attendance has now grown to over 100,000 visitors a year and the increase started to overwhelm the sanctuary and its facilities, mainly the restrooms. The problem arose when the inability to handle the waste water from the rest rooms started causing intolerable and illegal problems. Since the sanctuary was bringing in over 100,000 visitors a year, Florida law required them to build a sewage system.
The Audubon’s philosophy for the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary since it’s opening in 1954 is belief in the wisdom of nature’s design. The soil, water, plants, and wild creatures depend upon each other and are vital to all human life. They recognized that each living thing links to many others in the chain of nature. The persistent research into the intricate patterns of outdoor life will help to assure the wise use of earth’s abundance. The Audubon is vigilant to protect wilderness areas, refuges, and parks and to encourage good use of nature’s storehouse of resources. Because of these values, The Sanctuary hoped to come up with a better idea of waste management than the regular conventional idea, which would consist of taking up acres and acres of land and using gallons of harmful chemicals additives.
Luckily, a Dr. John Todd of Ocean Arks International had an idea that would solve the sanctuary’s problems. He wanted to design a waste water treatment system that would use sunlight, bacteria, green plants, and animals to restore water to pure conditions. This “Living Machine” would occupy only 70×70 feet of land and would purify wastes without additives and recycle 90% of the purified water back into the restrooms for reuse in the toilets, and the cost would be substantially less than the conventional technology. In the fall of 1993, the National Audubon Society worked with Dr. Todd to design a treatment system unique to the swamp and in October, 1994 the Living Machine was completed. This system is one of the most educational and interesting things I have ever seen and I am not alone. According to Ed Carlson, Sanctuary and South Florida Audubon manager, says he “books tours that come specifically to see the system in action. “We feel this attractive yet functional waste water treatment plant is the ideal setting to teach water chemistry, purification, and recycling lessons.” An added bonus is the screen enclosure used to control the insect population has created a butterfly garden and protects them from the birds and other insects that would have them for lunch or dinner.
I recommend visiting in the early spring, because the weather is more favorable, and gives you a better chance of seeing the wildlife come out and show themselves. Springtime is when all the birds come to nest and the berries and grasses are nice and tender, tempting the deer and maybe bear, (although not together) to come out and eat. Except during the hottest summer months, bird feeders are placed at the start of the boardwalk to attract a variety of birds like Sparrows, and Towhees. Plan to spend a good part of the day here, bring plenty of water to drink. If you go once, I promise the next time you’re here, you will go again, and you will recommend it to your friends. See how nature keeps her wetlands and get an understanding of why we need to protect them from human over development. Swamps are not places of wasted space, and they are not ugly, we need them. Florida swamps are full of life and beautiful to behold, come and see it for yourself.
