Freshwater Experience - CREW Virtual Field Trip

Crew Land and Water Trust

https://crewtrust.org/ 


What is CREW, and why visit?

"The CREW Land & Water Trust was established in 1989 as a nonprofit organization to coordinate the land acquisition, land management, and public use of the 60,000-acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed." While this may not sound like a place one would want to run out and visit, I can tell you that it is nothing shy of amazing. This watershed is one of the last places left in SWFL that is untouched by overdevelopment. It allows our rainwater to collect, filter, and flow the way nature evolved here. Which is carefully managed by the S. Florida Water Management district. We are at a critical point here in SWFL, as we forget that our freshwater aquifers are not an infinite source. CREW's job is in part to educate not only the next generation on the importance of clean water, but all of us sometimes need a reminder. Tours along the smaller boardwalk trail are available Nov-April. 







Along with the guided boardwalk tours, CREW provides different trails to match anyone's hobby, interest, or health level. The most cherished trail, for me is Bird Rookery Swamp Trail. It is breathtaking, and forces one to be quiet and still. The native fauna in the area are fairly used to human intrusion, but the more you become one with the environment, the more nature begins to accept you. I prefer to visit later in the day, and stay well behind the crowds. Winter is the best time to visit for human comfort, but fall is the most alive. The weather is beginning to cool, migratory birds are both coming and going, and mating is starting to take place among some of the local species. If you choose to visit in the colder months you may see alligators sunning themselves. Not from afar, but as in across the trail. Or, playful otters. 

Environmental Education At CREW Podcast

If neither of those are what you are seeking, bring binoculars, a pad, and an ID book as songbirds are a plenty. From the website "Birders will delight in the abundance of songbirds that frequent the cypress trees along the boardwalk, as well as the many raptors and wading birds found along the trails. Barred owls are common and swallow-tailed kites frequent the area in summer."

Still not interested? Or, perhaps you want to bring your 4 legged friend (remember you leashes, please)? The Marsh Trails are you answer. Our marshes are home to flora and fauna you may not see on the other trails. Including but not limited to water snakes, Rain Lilies, butterflies, etc. Since this trail is mostly exposed to sun, you will see an entirely different set of flora and fauna. Below is a Water Moccasin who, by the milky blue eyes is ready to shed. It is always best to give these critters a wide berth, and even more so when their eyes are blue. They cannot see you. Otherwise, they want to leave you alone as well. Most folks will never get to see these beautiful creatures close up. Please remember that you are in their home, and appreciate the amazing animal that it is. I could have chosen a butterfly or pretty flower, but I chose this snake in order to remind you that they play a role in the environmental cycle. 


We are not the only ones that cannot live without this watershed, fresh water, and undeveloped land. While I could spout more fact at you, I believe pictures and experiences are a far more effective way to get people interested in learning more. 

While Florida is flat, please remember that you may not be used to the heat or the humidity throughout the year. You want to stay safe in order to enjoy the natural beauty, so cover up with lightweight clothes that cover your body, a sun hat, bug spray if you need it, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Hoping the last one made an impact :). 

Please enjoy our local environment without interacting with the wildlife and leaving no footprint. Bring out what you bring in. 

*All photos are property of CREW, and can be found throughout their website*

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