Swamp Stewards

In celebration of Earth Day, Big Cypress National Preserve is calling on the public to roll up their sleeves and take part in a community cleanup effort aimed at protecting one of Florida’s most vital ecosystems. On Saturday, April 26, volunteers will gather at HP Williams Roadside Park to help remove litter from some of the preserve’s most affected areas - including Turner River Road.

The event is being led by Nicole Enriquez Montoya, a Community Volunteer Ambassador serving through AmeriCorps. Working closely with the preserve’s volunteer coordinator, Montoya is committed to expanding opportunities for public involvement and environmental stewardship.

Big Cypress is always seeking volunteers, especially during the summer months. In exchange for 32 hours of service per week, RV volunteers receive full hook-ups, and local day volunteers are welcome to get involved through volunteer.gov.

“This is the first cleanup event we’ve hosted in over a year,” Montoya said. “We chose these areas based on visible trash levels and the safety of participants, especially along Highway 41. With the current dry conditions, cleanup will take place on dry ground.”

The primary targets? Plastics and aluminum cans - items that pose serious threats to the health of Big Cypress’s unique ecosystem. From endangered Florida panthers to red-cockaded woodpeckers and American alligators, all wildlife in the preserve is impacted by litter. The problem extends beyond animal welfare, too. As part of the greater Everglades ecosystem, Big Cypress helps filter drinking water for millions of Floridians.

“Everything is connected,” Montoya emphasized. “Litter gets in our water and affects the wildlife and people in all sorts of ways.”

While the cleanup won’t include formal educational activities, rangers and volunteers will take the opportunity to share information with participants about how human activity affects natural systems. “Big Cypress is community-based,” said Montoya. “We’re building that community by bringing people outdoors.”

Interested people can RSVP at Eventbrite.com and contact Montoya directly at nicole_enriquezmontoya@partner.nps.gov to ask any questions. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants; sunscreen and water are recommended, and cleanup supplies are provided by Big Cypress.

The event also supports Big Cypress’s broader mission to deepen public appreciation for public lands. Montoya hopes this cleanup will be just the beginning of a series of events reaching all corners of the preserve.

In her role as a Volunteer Ambassador, Montoya regularly sees how hands-on involvement can change perspectives. Originally from Miami, she understands the importance of connecting urban communities with the wild places that surround them. “A lot of people aren’t aware of what’s in their backyard. Without the Everglades, we practically wouldn’t be able to exist here.”