Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

I have lived in Southwest Florida my entire life and to this day, I am still fascinated with the habitats that thrive in this area.  Going to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary reminds me that Southwest Florida is more than just an area for vacationers, business men and women, and a retirement communities.  This area is home to an abundant amount of wildlife species, some of which are endangered or threatened.  

Upon learning that Corkscrew Sanctuary was one of our listed class field trips, I was excited because I had never been there before. There were a few things that I had not been aware of before going on this trip.  Before we toured the boardwalk in the sanctuary, we went over the Everglades restoration project.  I had little knowledge regarding the magnitude or importance of this project until I enrolled in colloquium at FGCU. This project is vital for the protection and restoration of our unique ecosystem that sets southwest Florida apart from any other state.

Once on the boardwalk, I was able to experience Southwest Florida’s wildlife at its finest.  Our tour guide Kim was very knowledgeable and often added to our experience with her dry sense of humor!  Kim shared that Corkscrew Sanctuary has four main habitats: Pine Flatwoods, Wet Prairie, Pond Cypress, and Bald Cypress.  Pine Flatwoods habitat is dominated by slash pine, saw palmetto and sable palm.  Wet Prairie habitat is marked by nutrient poor soils and is home for cord grass, sedges, and rushes.  The dominant species of the Pond Cypress habitat is the pond cypress which grows along the edge of the wet prairie. This area is flooded nearly ten months of the year.  The Bald Cypress habitat’s dominant species is the bald cypress. Some trees at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary are estimated to be 700 years old. Though I was familiar with many of the plant species in each habitat I had never heard of the Swamp Apple. Interesting enough when asked Kim stated that she have never tried the fruit from the swamp apple but was told it tasted like melon.  

Unfortunately on our tour we did not have the opportunity or privilege of seeing any panthers or Ghost Orchards in bloom; however we did see a large American Alligator and her hatchlings in a small pool of water, a couple different bird species, and a cigar orchid. Despite the fact I have lived in Florida my whole life, there’s still something special about being able to open your back door and experience the qualities of nature that make Florida so unique!