S.W.A.M.P. Wander Event Raises More Than 40K

World-renowned photographer Clyde Butcher and his wife, Niki, along with community donors, raised more than $40K at the November 1, 2025, S.W.A.M.P. Wander event. More than 700 people attended the event, which is held every Fall. 

Swamp Wander was sponsored by Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve, a newly formed nonprofit founded by Clyde Butcher and community leaders 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 (S.W.A.M.P.), ensuring students continue to experience the swamp through hands-on education. 

“Big Cypress has given me peace, healing, and inspiration for decades,” said Clyde Butcher. “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 met Clyde and Niki Butcher inside the gallery and viewed Clyde’s iconic black and white photographs. Outside, rangers and conservation partners hosted interactive booths and presentations designed to bring the swamp’s science, wildlife, and cultural history to life. 

The highlight of the event was guided swamp walk tours offered all day long, led by trained Friends of Big Cypress volunteers. These immersive tours take participants directly into the landscapes Clyde has photographed for decades, offering an unforgettable encounter with cypress trees, orchids, ferns, and wildlife. 

Supporting Tomorrow’s Scientists 

Funds raised through Swamp Wander will support the Swamp Water and Me Program (S.W.A.M.P.), 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. 

S.W.A.M.P. is not fully funded by the National Park Service or the school district. It is a donation-driven program that relies on community support to continue. Without contributions from events like Swamp Wander, thousands of children would miss the chance to connect with the Preserve firsthand.