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STUDENT SWAMP

SCIENTISTS
by Sally Wilson,
Development & Special Event Director of
The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks
• Nature makes the best playground.
he Alliance for Florida’s National Parks, • I am going to beg my mom to bring me here for my birthday.
the official fundraiser for Florida’s National • This was the most adventurous day of my life.
T arks is all about raising awareness about • Yeah! I forgot trees are alive.
P
the importance for Florida’s Ecosystem that leads • I was so excited to come out to the swamp that I could barely
to the stewardship of neighboring natural areas. sleep last night.
th
One of the educational programs offered to every 6 grader • This was the best field trip ever; I want to come here every day!
in Collier County as part of their science curriculum, is right in The Alliance provides students with all the materials they
Naples’ backyard at Big Cypress National Preserve. need to collect data. In addition to water and soil, they identify
The program is called Swamp Water and Me Program animals in the habitat. They use a water/soil depth measuring
(S.W.A.M.P) an environmental educational program for sixth stick, thermometers, pH dipsticks and water collecting bottles.
grade science classes in the Collier County School District. The For weather, they use a compass, relative humidity chart and
program focuses on the Big Cypress National Preserve, its major anemometer. The students begin the day with lunch, and then
habitats, flora, fauna, while highlighting the Florida panther and divide into groups through three different habitats.
American alligator. S.W.A.M.P is educating the next generation S.W.A.M.P. is made possible through donations to The Alliance
of students about the importance of Big Cypress and the Greater for Florida’s National Parks. Established in 2002, their mission is
Everglades ecosystem to Southwest Florida. to provide environmental education, preservation and protection,
S.W.A.M.P is a four-part program which includes a teacher community engagement, restoration and exploration inside
and student guide, a mandatory teacher workshop, a pre-site visit Florida’s four national parks which includes Everglades, Biscayne,
by a ranger to the classroom and a field trip to the Preserve. and Dry Tortugas National Parks, as well as Big Cypress National
Leaders for the day are the National Park Service Rangers Preserve.
who guide students through three different habitats making up Funds for this one-of-a-kind educational program are raised
Big Cypress National Preserve –cypress dome, the pinelands, and throughout the year, but especially during the 8th Annual Wine &
a sawgrass prairie. Wildlife Celebration. This year the event is being hosted by Naples
A variety of hands-on, inquiry-based activities are performed philanthropist Susan Jones. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres, open
by students on the trip including tracking a panther, collecting bar, silent/live auction, and awards. The event is February 13, 2024
data with water and soil samples, weather testing and animal at the Naples Sailing & Yacht Club, 896 River Point Dr. Tickets,
identification. This program teaches students that the world can tables and sponsorships are available at
be their laboratory. The experience is hands-on, engaging and https://events.handbid.com/auctions/wine-wildlife/tickets
before participating in S.W.A.M.P only one in four students The Clyde Butcher: A Better Florida award is presented yearly
could identify the source of their drinking water. during the event and recognizes individuals who champion the
Student responses range from: preservation and accessibility of Florida’s pristine resources. Artists
• Today was eye-opening. This is my backyard. from various disciplines, such as photography, painting, writing and
• Before going into the swamp, a student said that it was going more are eligible. Their work should focus on ecological issues and
to be scary. 10 minutes later it was “awesome”. align with the Alliance for Florida’s National Parks.
• I want to be a park ranger when I grow up. To nominate an artist go to
• The swamp is breathtaking! www.theallianceforfloridasnationalparks.org

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Life in Naples | December 2023 43