Big Cypress Celebrates 52 Years of Conservation

Just beyond the busy streets and growing developments of Collier County lies a landscape that has remained largely wild for generations. Spanning more than 729,000 acres of cypress swamps, wet prairies, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, Big Cypress National Preserve protects one of the region’s most ecologically significant landscapes.

On Saturday, October 10, The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks invited families, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation supporters to experience this remarkable ecosystem during the 2026 Big Cypress Celebration. Held at Burns Lake Campground in Ochopee, the event commemorated the preserve’s upcoming 52nd anniversary with a day of guided hikes, educational activities, cultural presentations, and live entertainment.

Hikes through waist-deep water atop hidden cypress trails—commonly known as wet walks—departed every 30 minutes, offering participants opportunities to immerse themselves in the ecosystems that make Big Cypress unique.

Throughout the day, visitors could explore National Park Service educational exhibits and connect with organizations dedicated to protecting Southwest Florida’s natural resources. Participating organizations included Friends of Collier County Butterflies and representatives showcasing Miccosukee Tribal crafts, inviting guests to learn about the region’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The celebration also featured a variety of family-friendly activities including art demonstrations, a recycled papermaking workshop, archery, and face painting. One of the day’s featured presentations came from William “Popeye” Osceola of the Miccosukee Business Council, highlighting the longstanding connection between the Miccosukee people and the lands and waters of Big Cypress. Later in the afternoon, Gator Nate provided live music, bringing an entertaining conclusion to the day’s festivities.

Beyond the activities and entertainment, the celebration carried a larger purpose: encouraging visitors to develop a deeper connection with the natural and cultural resources protected within Big Cypress National Preserve.

A Landscape Worth Celebrating

On October 11, 1974, Big Cypress became the nation’s first national preserve, following years of controversy surrounding a proposed massive jetport that threatened to dramatically alter the region’s wetlands and natural water flow. Beginning in the late 1960s, a diverse coalition of conservationists, hunters, private landowners, and members of the Seminole and Miccosukee communities worked to protect the swamp from development. Their efforts ultimately helped secure federal protection for the landscape, preserving an ecosystem that remains essential to the health of South Florida.

Unlike national parks, national preserves allow certain traditional and resource-based activities to continue under regulated conditions. Within Big Cypress, these include hunting, designated off-road vehicle use, private land ownership, and traditional activities practiced by the Seminole and Miccosukee peoples.

Today, Big Cypress serves as an important source of freshwater for the greater Everglades ecosystem and the Ten Thousand Islands. Its wetlands help sustain wildlife habitats, support natural water movement, and provide refuge for numerous native species, including the endangered Florida panther. The preserve is also home to Florida black bears, alligators, wading birds, and countless other species that depend on its diverse habitats.

Supporting the Next Generation of Conservationists

The 2026 Big Cypress Celebration was organized by The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks, the official philanthropic partner of Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park.

Through fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement, The Alliance helps support educational opportunities, scientific research, habitat restoration, and other conservation initiatives that may not be fully covered by government funding.

One of the educational programs supported by The Alliance at Big Cypress is Swamp Water and Me (SWAMP), which has introduced Collier County students to the preserve since 1999. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on field experiences.

The Alliance also supports initiatives involving Florida panther research, prescribed burns, the Trail Patrol Volunteer Program, and the annual Swamp Heritage Festival. Events like the 2026 Big Cypress Celebration offer the public an opportunity to see the value of these efforts firsthand while helping sustain programs that connect future generations with Florida’s protected landscapes.

More Opportunities to Explore Florida’s National Parks

For those inspired to continue exploring, The Alliance has additional events planned in the coming months.

On October 22, the organization will host Stories and S’mores at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables. This free, family-friendly event will feature storytelling by Suki Lopez, known for her role as Nina on Sesame Street, along with book distribution, refreshments, and s’mores.

Looking further ahead, The Alliance will host Two Nights Under the Stars from February 5–7, 2027, at Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park. The family-friendly camping weekend will feature stargazing, ranger-led activities, campfires, art activities, paddling, night hikes, and opportunities to explore one of Florida’s most extraordinary wilderness areas. Accommodations range from traditional tent campsites to furnished eco-tents and rooms at Flamingo Lodge, allowing visitors with different levels of camping experience to participate.

For Southwest Florida residents, Big Cypress National Preserve offers an opportunity to experience a side of Florida that existed long before highways, subdivisions, and shopping centers reshaped the landscape.

52 years after its establishment, the preserve continues to demonstrate what can be accomplished when communities come together to protect their natural heritage. Through education, exploration, and continued conservation efforts, organizations like The Alliance are helping ensure that future generations have the same opportunity to discover the wonders of Big Cypress.

To learn more about upcoming events, educational programs, and ways to support Florida’s national parks, visit www.floridanationalparks.org.