Famed Photographer Clyde Butcher Presents S.W.A.M.P. Wander

Famed Photographer Clyde Butcher Presents S.W.A.M.P. Wander: 
A Community Celebration of Big Cypress National Preserve

World-renowned photographer Clyde Butcher and his wife, Niki, invite the public to join them for Swamp Wander, a free community celebration and fundraiser dedicated to the beauty and importance of Big Cypress National Preserve. The event will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery, 52388 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL. (Mile Marker 54.5)

Swamp Wander is the inaugural event hosted by Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve, a newly formed nonprofit founded by Clyde Butcher and community leaders to raise awareness and financial support for one of Florida’s most vital landscapes. This first fundraiser will directly support the Preserve’s Swamp Water And Me Program (S.W.A.M.P.), ensuring students continue to experience the swamp through hands-on education.

“Big Cypress has given me peace, healing, and inspiration for decades,” said Clyde Butcher. “Now, through Friends of Big Cypress, we have a way to give back, protect this Preserve, and inspire others to join us in ensuring its future.”

A Day of Art, Nature, and Community

Visitors will have the rare opportunity to meet Clyde and Niki Butcher inside the gallery and view Clyde’s iconic black and white photographs. Outside, rangers and conservation partners will host interactive booths and presentations designed to bring the swamp’s science, wildlife, and cultural history to life.

Guided Swamp Walks Offered All Day

The highlight of the event will be guided swamp walk tours offered all day long, led by trained Friends of Big Cypress volunteers. Guests can choose from three different walks, ranging from $35 to $100 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the Preserve’s Swamp Water And Me Program (S.W.A.M.P.). Reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited. These immersive tours take participants directly into the landscapes Clyde has photographed for decades, offering an unforgettable encounter with cypress trees, orchids, ferns, and wildlife.

Participants should be prepared to get wet during the experience and are encouraged to bring a change of clothes and shoes. To schedule a tour and reserve a time, visit FriendsofBigCypress.com or call the Big Cypress Gallery at 239-695-2428.

Parking and Shuttle Service

Parking at the gallery is limited. Overflow parking will be available at the Oasis Visitor Center, with free shuttle service running throughout the day from 9am-3pm to and from the gallery.

Supporting Tomorrow’s Scientists

Funds raised through Swamp Wander will support the Swamp Water And Me Program (S.W.A.M.P.), a curriculum-based program offered to all 6th grade students in Collier County Public Schools, along with several private and charter schools. Nearly 3,000 students each year step into Big Cypress as “scientists for a day,” studying water, soil, plants, and wildlife while discovering the importance of protecting this ecosystem.

S.W.A.M.P. is not fully funded by the National Park Service or the school district. It is a donation-driven program that relies on community support to continue. Without contributions from events like Swamp Wander, thousands of children would miss the chance to connect with the Preserve firsthand.

About Friends of Big Cypress

Formed in partnership with the National Park Service, Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve works to raise awareness, provide financial support for education and conservation programs, and build community partnerships that ensure the long-term protection of the Preserve.

“Swamp Wander is our first step in building a community of people who care deeply about Big Cypress and its future,” said Friends of Big Cypress Sally Wilson

Swamp Walk 4 Zee Anna Photography