World-renowned photographer Clyde Butcher and his wife, Niki, are hosting a free community celebration and fundraiser dedicated to the beauty and importance of Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. The event, Swamp Wander, is scheduled for Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee, Fla. (mile marker 54.5).
The inaugural Swamp Wander is hosted by Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve, a newly formed nonprofit that Butcher and community leaders founded 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, or SWAMP, ensuring students continue to experience the swamp through hands-on education.
“Big Cypress has given me peace, healing, and inspiration for decades,” Butcher said. “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.”
Visitors will have an opportunity to meet the Butchers in the gallery and view Clyde’s iconic black-and-white photographs. Outside, rangers and conservation partners will host interactive booths and presentations to bring the swamp’s science, wildlife and cultural history to life.
The highlight of the day will be guided walking tours of the swamp, offered all day and led by Friends of Big Cypress volunteers. Guests can choose from three walks, ranging from $35 to $100 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the Swamp Water and Me Program. Reservations are recommended as space is limited. These immersive tours take participants into the landscapes Butcher 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 Big Cypress Gallery at (239) 695-2428.
Funds raised through Swamp Wander will support the Swamp Water and Me Program, a curriculum-based program offered to all sixth-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.
The Swamp Water and Me Program is not fully funded by the National Park Service or the school district. It is donation-driven and relies on community support. Without contributions from events like Swamp Wander, thousands of children would miss the chance to connect with the Preserve firsthand.
Formed in partnership with the National Park Service, Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve raises awareness, provides financial support for education and conservation programs, and builds 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 volunteer Sally Wilson.
