Everglades

https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everglades_National_Park Everglades National Park is a U.S. National Park in Florida that protects the southern 20 percent of the original Everglades. Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther. An international treasure as well - a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a specially protected area under the Cartagena Treaty. Directions to Ernest Coe Visitor Center 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034 Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with U.S. 1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park. Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park. Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is the visitor center closest to Homestead for Everglades National Park. It is open 365 days a year and offers educational displays, orientation films, and informational brochures. Park Rangers are available to help plan your trip. There is a giftshop that sells souvenirs and snacks. In the summer time it is open 9AM - 5PM and in the winter it is open 8AM - 5PM. Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with U.S. 1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park. Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park. Approximate GPS coordinates: 25°23'42.97" N 80°34"59.36" W Gulf Coast Visitor Center The Gulf Coast Visitor Center and canoe/kayak launch are currently closed due to construction. Gulf Coast Rangers can be found in the Everglades Adventures Visitor Center located at 611 Collier Ave, Everglades City, FL 34139. Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm daily. For more information about ranger-guided programs, alternate kayak launch sites, and other questions, call 786-758-0635. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located 5 miles south of Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) on State Road 29, in Everglades City. From Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), take exit 80 (State Road 29) south and proceed 20 miles to Everglades City. Once in Everglades City, follow the signs to the park. The visitor center is on the right. Approximate GPS coordinates: 25°50'49.03" N 81°23'06.85" W Guy Bradley Visitor Center (at Flamingo) The Guy Bradley Visitor Center is open year-round and features educational displays, informational brochures, a bookstore and more. Campground facilities, a public boat ramp, marina store, a fish cleaning station, and hiking and canoeing trails are located near the visitor center. Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends, merging with U.S. 1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Dr. (SR 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park. From the Florida Keys, drive north and turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park. The visitor center lies roughly 38 miles (1 hour) south of the park main entrance. GPS Coordinates: 25°08'28.96" N 80°55'25.73" W Shark Valley Visitor Center Shark Valley Visitor Center provides the gateway to a panoramic 15-mile loop trail and observation tower. Open year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the visitor center also hosts exhibits, park film, and association bookstore, alongside the Shark Valley Tram Tour concessionaire. The GPS address for the visitor center is; 36000 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33194. From Miami, Shark Valley Visitor Center is located on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail / SW 8th St.) 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike, exit 25A (from the north) and exit 25 (from the south). From the Naples area, take U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) approximately 70 miles east to Shark Valley. Approximate GPS Coordinates: 25°45'27.60" N 80°46'01.01" W Flamingo Campground The Flamingo campground is one of two drive-in campgrounds accessible from the Homestead entrance of the park. It offers solar-heated showers, two dump stations, picnic tables, grills, and an amphitheater for seasonal Ranger programs. Flamingo has several hiking trails and canoe trails, and opportunities for saltwater fishing are plentiful. Check at the visitor center for a daily schedule of Ranger guided programs. Flamingo Campground- RV with electric hook-up (Monday - Thursday, per site per night) 50.00 The fee covers electric hook-up per site per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. A 10% discount is offered to seniors, active and retired military, and Access Pass holders. Flamingo Campground- RV with electric hookup (Friday - Sunday, per site per night) 60.00 The fee covers electric hook-up per site per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. A 10% discount is offered to seniors, active and retired military, and Access Pass holders. Flamingo Campground- tent and non-electric RV (Monday - Thursday, per site per night) 33.00 The fees cover a non-electric hook-up site per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. A 10% discount is offered to seniors, active and retired military, and Access Pass holders. Flamingo Campground- tent and non-electric RV (Friday - Sunday, per site per night) 38.50 The fees cover a non-electric hook-up site per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. A 10% discount is offered to seniors, active and retired military, and Access Pass holders. Flamingo Campground- group site (per night per site) 60.00 The fee covers up to 15 people, 5 tents and 3 vehicles per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. Tent at Flamingo Campground A blue, gray and yellow tent is pitched on the grass. Palm tree and open field are behind it. Tent camping at Flamingo Flamingo Campground An open field with tents set up and picnic tables. Four palm trees stand tall in the background. Flamingo campground on the shores of Florida Bay Flamingo Campground Kiosk A white entrance building stands alongside a road with green grass and trees in the distance Entrance kiosk at Flamingo campground A Loop Flamingo Campground A parked vehicle with camp supplies and tent in a camp site underneath a tree Camping at A Loop in Flamingo Campground RV's Lined Up at Flamingo Campground Kiosk Two white recreational vehicles are in line to register for a campsite. Trees in the background. Flamingo is a very popular campground Long Pine Key Campground Long Pine Key campground is open seasonally November-May. It is one of two frontcountry camping options run by the “Flamingo Adventures'' concession. Reservations are available for RV’s and tents along with first come first serve sites. If sites are booked, more camping may be available further down the Main Park Road in Flamingo. Long Pine Key Campground- tent and non-electric RV (Monday - Thursday, per site per night) 33.00 The fee covers one site per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. A 10% discount is offered to seniors, active and retired military, and Access Pass holders. Long Pine Key Campground- tent and non-electric RV (Friday - Sunday, per site per night) 38.50 The fee covers one site per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. A 10% discount is offered to seniors, active and retired military, and Access Pass holders. Long Pine Key Campground- group site (per night per site) 60.00 The fee covers up to 15 people, 5 tents and 3 vehicles per night. This camping fee does not include the entrance fee to the Park. RV's at Long Pine Key Two RV trailers parked at a campground surrounded by tall slash pine trees. RV camping at Long Pine Key campground Camping at Long Pine Key Two visitors are setting up a tent on a campsite at Long Pine Key Camping at Long Pine Key Long Pine Key Camp Entrance A white fees building with green roof welcomes campers The Long Pine Key Entrance Station is open seasonally Amphitheatre at Long Piney Key Campground People sit on wooden benches listening to a Park Ranger deliver a program. It is night time. Visitors attend an evening Ranger program Picnic at Long Pine Key A group of three people sit at a picnic table by a pond surrounded by pine trees. Picnicking at the Long Pine Key day-use area Cypress Tree Sunrise A sunset creates a silhouette of a cypress tree with needle-like leaves that is shaped like an 'N'. Cypress Tree Sunrise (2020 Photo Contest) Nine Mile Pond Two canoes at Nine Mile Pond during sunset. A meeting ground of marsh and mangrove environments. You may see alligators, wading birds, turtles, and fish. American Alligator An American Alligator high walks the Anhinga Trail. An American Alligator high walks the Anhinga Trail. Shark Valley Tram and Bicycle Road Two visitors bike along the road in Shark Valley. Biking is a great way to experience the quiet beauty of the Everglades. Transition from Sawgrass to Florida Bay An aerial view of the landscape transition from Sawgrass to Florida Bay. An aerial view of the landscape transition from Sawgrass to Florida Bay. Camping at Long Pine Key Three tents are put up along the Long Pine Key campsite. Long Pine Key Campground is open seasonally from November through May. It is located seven miles (11 km) from the main entrance, just off the main road. Yvette Cano: Director of Education at Everglades National Park Ranger Yvette Cano, the Director of Education at Everglades National Park, shares her journey to the National Park Service, how her cultural background has influenced her work, and what she finds most rewarding about her job. Ranger Yvette Cano Partnerships add a Charge to your Travel Plans The National Park Service, the National Park Foundation, BMW of North America, the U.S. Department of Energy, concessioners, and gateway communities have collaborated to provide new technologies for travel options to and around national parks. As part of this public-private partnership, BMW of North America, working through the National Park Foundation, donated and arranged for the installation of 100 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports in and around national parks. Keynote: Using Science in Decision Making National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis delivered the opening keynote at the 11th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem on October 9, 2012. The article that follows is based on an edited transcription of his remarks at the conference. Science Plan in Support of Ecosystem Restoration, Preservation, and Protection in South Florida The Florida Everglades is a complex ecosystem of diverse, interconnected subtropical habitats. Once comprised of over 4 million acres, today the historic Everglades have been reduced by half. The conflict of human versus natural elements in South Florida began in earnest in the early 1900s, when the control of water and the drainage of wetlands were first considered essential for commerce and human safety. A swamp with varying vegetation Wildland Fire: Everglades Partners with USFWS and SCA Everglades National Park fire staff partnered with the USFWS and Student Conservation Association to evaluate new methods for locating pineland croton in pine rocklands habitat. This is the host plant for two federally endangered butterflies. New techniques for locating and monitoring pineland croton will help fire managers plan prescribed fire operations to maintain and restore resilient landscapes for endangered wildlife. Aviation Supports Environmental Protection Agency Research in South Florida The National Park Service continues to extend its aviation support beyond the traditional fire realm. Everglades and Big Cypress National Parks’ Aviation programs are working together with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support a complex aviation-dependent research project called the Everglades Ecosystem Assessment Program (EEAP). Two helicopters at Everglades National Park 2012 Recipients: George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service Every year, the National Park Service benefits from the extraordinary contributions of dedicated volunteers. Meet the six recipients of the 2012 Hartzog Awards honoring that service. Two volunteers assisting a visitor 2016 Recipients: George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service Learn the invaluable contributions of the 2016 Hartzog winners, celebrating excellence in volunteerism. Group of school kids pointing at things in a marsh area America's Best Idea: Featured National Historic Landmarks Over 200 National Historic Landmarks are located in national parks units. Some historical and cultural resources within the park system were designated as NHLs before being established as park units. Yet other park units have NHLs within their boundaries that are nationally significant for reasons other than those for which the park was established. Twenty of those NHLs are located in parks featured in Ken Burn's documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. watchtower against blue sky Students Contemplate Future Fire and Aviation Careers in the National Park Service Waterstone Charter School students tour the NPS helicopter with aviation operations specialist Gary Carnall. students sit in the pilots seat of a helicopter Southeast National Parks Train 165 New Wildland Firefighters Between December 2011 and March 2012, Southeast Region national parks trained 165 new wildland firefighters in S-130/190 courses at four separate units, including Mammoth Cave National Park, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore, and Everglades National Park. Trainees came from federal and state agencies, local fire departments, universities, and other partners. The First Recorded Python in Everglades National Park, 40 Years Later Everglades National Park just had a 40th anniversary on October 24. It’s one anniversary we’d rather not celebrate. That’s the day in 1979 when the first recorded python was caught in the park near Everglades Safari Park on Tamiami Trail. Burmese pythons The Race to Keep Invasive Tegus Out of Everglades National Park Tracking tegus is critical work. Scientists at the National Park Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the University of Florida, and the U.S. Geological Survey are monitoring the tegus in South Florida because of the potential impact they can have on the environment. Tegu in Everglades National Park PARKS...IN...SPAAAACE!!! NASA astronauts have quite literally an out-of-this-world view of national parks and take some pretty stellar pictures to share. Travel along with the space station on its journey west to east getting the extreme bird’s eye view of national parks across the country. And one more down-to-earth. View of Denali National Park & Preserve from space Odum's 1960s Everglades Studies Shape The Science of Ecology Dead plant matter (the stuff you might feel inclined to rake up and get rid of) is an incredible energy source and the engine behind the region’s productivity. Tangled mangrove roots with brown and orange wet leaves Sea-level rise and inundation scenarios for national parks in South Florida A review of the science leads researchers to project sea level rise and inundation, trends in the frequency of nuisance flooding, recurrence intervals of storm surge, and impacts on infrastructure intended to provide useful information for managers and planners. Median RCP8.5 mean sea-level elevation projections for Everglades and Biscayne; NPS/Everglades NP Spiny Lobster Reserves Spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) are keystone predators that, by preying on other carnivorous invertebrates in the reef ecosystem, control populations and mediate competition among prey species. The removal of this species thus reduces the biodiversity and resilience of the entire system. Spiny lobster observed from above ocean floor. Fire Communication and Education Grants Enhance Fire Interpretation and Outreach in the National Parks in 2015 and Beyond The 2015 National Park Service Fire Communication and Education Grant Program provided funding for projects, programs, or tasks in twelve parks around the country. A woman studies a small coniferous tree while a younger woman looks on. Science at Sea in the Gulf of Mexico Science at Sea - Follow along as a research cruise makes its way around the Gulf of Mexico and collects water samples from 4 national parks. ocean view of Florida Bay Wildland Fire History — Interpreting Fire in Everglades National Park In this article from 1989, Everglades NP interpreters discuss the various fire regimes present in the park and the various methods of interpreting fire for visitors. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Everglades National Park, Florida Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. wetlands landscape Looking for Invasive Species in South Florida Invasive species are bad news. They are able to spread aggressively outside their natural range, and can cause local extinctions of native species. Invasives are plentiful in South Florida because the subtropical environment allows for many non-native species to thrive, and Miami acts as a port of entry. Local ornamental and pet industries breed animals and plants here that have the potential to escape and survive. Staff looking for exotic fish in throwtrap Satellite communications: Geocaches as interpretation A pilot project in Everglades National Park examines visitor use of a park sponsored geocaching program and demonstrates interpretive benefits. Weatherproof plastic box that serves as geocache (credit: NPS Photo) Park Air Profiles - Everglades National Park Air quality profile for Everglades National Park. Gives park-specific information about air quality and air pollution impacts for Everglades NP as well as the studies and monitoring conducted for Everglades NP. Photographer on the water in Everglades NP 2017 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients Meet the national and regional winners of the 2017 Freeman Tilden Award; the National Park Service's highest award for excellence in interpretation. Portrait of Hollie Lynch 2015 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients Meet the recipients of the 2015 Freeman Tilden Awards, the highest National Park Service honor for interpretation, and learn more about their exciting programs. Ernie Price Everglades Firefighters Use Prescribed Fire around Ernest Coe Visitor Center as Educational Opportunity In January 2012, winter visitors to Everglades NP got an up-close view of fire during the Headquarters prescribed fire treatment. Objectives of the 6.5-acre fire were to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations near park administrative offices and the visitor center, maintain scenic viewsheds, and provide staff and visitors educational opportunities to learn about the Everglades fire-adapted ecosystem. A firefighter talks to visitors along a boardwalk while fire burns on the other side of a fence. When Plants Go Rogue: Aggressive Exotic Plants Endanger the Everglades South Florida is a plant paradise, and many non-native plants are able to thrive here. These exotic plants outcompete native plants, and some, like Melaleuca, threaten our water supply by disrupting historical water flow. Then, why do pythons get so much media attention when invasive plants are as great of a threat, if not more, to the Everglades and our own livelihood? Brazilian Pepper Everglades Fire Staff Collaborates with Florida International University in Research on Exotic Plant Response to Fire Everglades NP fire and exotic plant management personnel worked with Florida International Univ. biologists to conduct an experiment on Lygodium microphyllum, an exotic, invasive plant. Lygodium can cause landscape-level ecological changes in the park and may outcompete native plants. To learn to better manage Lygodium, fire staff provided support while burning “test” plants during a recent study aimed at finding out more about Lygodium growth and reproduction after fire. Everglades Firefighters Assist Florida Forest Service and Miami-Dade Natural Areas Management in Prescribed Fires Everglades National Park firefighters worked collaboratively with the Florida Forest Service and Miami-Dade County Natural Areas Management Division to conduct four prescribed fires in October and November 2014. The coordinated efforts allowed managers to help maintain pine rockland habitat, open forest canopy, and establish fire-adapted communities. Vegetation burning at Everglades National Park Everglades Firefighters Assist Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge in Prescribed Fires In August 2014, Everglades National Park firefighters assisted the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other fire staff in conducting three prescribed fires at Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge. Using combined fire staff allowed refuge managers to complete prescribed fires that were instrumental in maintaining rare pine rockland habitat and maintaining and restoring resilient landscapes to make future wildfires in the area more manageable. Everglades Firefighter Conducts Video Chat with Students In August 2014, Everglades firefighting and environmental education staff conducted a video chat with students participating in the Fort Scott (Kansas) National Historic Site’s Trailblazer Program, in which students learn about cultural and natural resource protection, interpretation, and fire management in the National Park Service. Wildland Fire: Walking in Footsteps of Bill Robertson Everglades fire staff are walking in the footsteps of Bill Robertson, the park’s first fire control aid starting in the late 1950s, trying to relocate his research plots, which are part of a larger project to see how the condition of the pine rocklands has changed. Revisiting Robertson’s plots will allow additional research information to be gathered and compiled with existing data, helping fire managers to maintain and restore resilient landscapes. A man in fire-resistant gear and hardhat looks at a compass National Parks in the History of Science: Island Biogeography (Video) Fifty years ago, mangrove islands in Everglades National Park were the subject of a now-famous experiment that tested an important idea about biodiversity. Meet the scientist who conducted it. historical photo of men on scaffolding Wildland Fire and Aviation Excellence Award Presented to James Sullivan James Sullivan, South Florida Parks and Preserve Chief of Wildland Fire and Aviation, receives the 2019 NPS Interior Region 2 Wildland Fire and Aviation Excellence Award. Department of the Interior Secretary, David Bernhardt presented the award alongside Pedro Ramon, the Superintendent of Everglades National Park. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in leadership development, operational leadership, and cooperation and collaboration. Three men stand on asphalt in front of wooded area. The man in the center is holding an award. POET Newsletter September 2012 Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) newsletter from September 2012. Articles include: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Parks; Fun with Coral Reefs and Climate Change Education; and Climate Change Exhibits From Sea to Rising Sea. people on beach NPS Aviation Programs Support Environmental Protection Agency Research Everglades and Big Cypress National Parks’ aviation programs are working together with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support a complex aviation-dependent research project called the Everglades Ecosystem Assessment Program (EEAP). An A-Star helicopter and a Bell 206 helicopter. Cold War in the Everglades Everglades National Park is usually recognized for its natural resources, but not as many people know about park's association with the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1962, the detection of weapons in Cuba led to the movement of military personnel to south Florida in order to prepare for a possible invasion. Florida's HM69 Nike Missile Base consisted of the Control Area and the Launch Area. Many reminders of this history in the Everglades, often overlooked, remain. A rounded, airy tree leans over a one-story, rectangular building on a flat landscape. Ecology II: Throat Song from the Everglades (a book of poems) Read three of Anne McCrary Sullivan's poems from "Ecology II: Throat Song from the Everglades," a book of poems inspired by her residency at Everglades National Park. body of water surrounded by trees Tamiami Trail: Next Steps Mega-project to restore the natural flow of water into the Everglades. Tamiami Bridge under construction So What’s in a Burmese Python Anyway? Dr. Christina Romagosa is a research associate professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in Gainesville, Florida, but much of her work is in South Florida. Her research focuses on how ecosystems respond to invasive species, or non-native species that do harm to the ecosystem. Burmese python Prey Items Everglades Triptych Read Karla Linn Merrifield's three poems created after a 2009 residency at Everglades National Park. black and white photo of a field under a sky of puffy clouds Poems from the Everglades A 2007 residency at Everglades led to these three poems from Diana Woodcock. a boardwalk over a swamp New water plan for South Florida is good news for Everglades National Park Everglades National Park is about to get more, clean fresh water, particularly in the dry season. In fact, the distribution of fresh water all across southern Florida is about to change for the better with a new plan born from the collaboration of government agencies, including the National Park Service, tribal nations and stakeholder groups. Everglades Ridge and Slough Wildland Fire: Everglades NP Collaborates with Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve Everglades National Park fire and resource management staff attended the 2nd International Congress for Coastal Protected Areas with Tree Island Ecosystems in Campeche, Mexico, in September 2014. The conference, held at Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve, focused on fire-prone, wetland ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. This international collaboration reflects NPS interest in maintaining and restoring resilient landscapes. Using Their Voices: Founding Women of National Parks As we commemorate both the centennial of the 19th Amendment and the 104th birthday of the National Park Service, we’re highlighting a few women who harnessed their public voices to protect powerfully important American places. The Frontline Over the course of the last few months we have watched our way of life change dramatically as COVID-19 has forced people to learn to live much more cautiously. And yet, with all that is happening, some things continue on as they always have. Firefighters suppressing wildfire at night Series: Invasive Species in South Florida Ever wonder when Burmese pythons came to the Everglades, or how they got here? Did you know that bugs can help slow the spread of exotic plants? Do you know what to do if you see an invasive species in Florida? Read here to find out the answers to these questions, and more Burmese Python Series: Parks in Science History Parks in Science History is a series of articles and videos made in cooperation with graduate students from various universities. They highlight the roles that national parks have played in the history of science and, therefore, the world's intellectual heritage. A woman looking through binoculars Series: Park Air Profiles Clean air matters for national parks around the country. Photo of clouds above the Grand Canyon, AZ Series: Water Levels at the end of 2020 and their effects on resources at Everglades National Park The last four months of 2020 brought over 23 inches of rain to the Everglades and water levels rose to be among the highest on record as a result. Although some access roads in the park and Shark Valley had to be temporarily closed, the high water levels were viewed as an overall benefit to the park's perpetually parched resources. This series explores more deeply where the water came from as well as where it went and the effects it had once it got there. A gator's eyes are seen poking up out of the water next to grassy vegetation Everglades National Park Uses Out of the Box Approach on Prescribed Fire for Restoration In January 2020, firefighters completed a prescribed fire on the HID-Buffer (Hole-In-The-Donut) Prescribed Fire unit in Everglades National Park. The 9,739-acre unit was a small piece of a much larger landscape level approach that Everglades Fire Management is taking with regards to South Florida Fuels Management. Firefighters hold driptorches in large open grassy area on fire looking at helicopter in the air. Unusual Partnerships on the Southern United States Border In FY20, partnerships around Everglades National Park contributed to reducing hazardous fuel loads, reduced exotic species spread, improved understanding role fire plays within the ecosystem, and created a more efficient and effective fire management strategy. Aerial view of fingers of fire creeping across the landscape while smoke billows away. Historic Water Levels in the Everglades Help Fix Salinity in Florida Bay The salinity of Florida Bay was affected by above average rainfall and historic water levels in the Everglades at the end of 2020. The status of Florida Bay in the winter of 2020-2021 offers a glimpse of how Florida Bay may look after Everglades Restoration. The seagrass-covered bottom of Florida Bay can be seen through clear, turquoise waters. Data Manager Profile: Judd Patterson Meet Judd Patterson, Data Manager for the South Florida Caribbean Network. As a data manager, helps wrangle all the information that we collect on the health of our park resources. Judd is excited about the stories data can tell through time, whether that's looking back at park records from over a hundred years ago, or making sure the science we do in our parks today become time capsules for future generations to learn about how things were back in 2021. Data manager Judd Patterson smiles at the camera while holding camera equiment. Exposed In The Everglades: The Bryde's Whale That Wasn't In January 2019, a whale stranded in Everglades National Park. Scientists used the samples and data they collected from the stranded whale and later its remains, to determine the stranded whale and those like it belong to a new species of critically endangered whales called the Rice's whale. Visitors that happened to be present for the stranding event witnessed scientific history. A crowd of people watch as scientists study a dead Rice's whale. Protesting to Keep Farming in the Hole-in-the-Donut everglades The Job is His, Not Yours In the early 1950s, park wives continued to function as they had from the 1920s to the 1940s. The NPS still got Two For the Price of One, relying on women to keep monuments in the Southwest running, to give freely of their time and talents, to build and maintain park communities, and to boost morale among park staffs. With the creation of the Mission 66 Program to improve park facilities, the NPS found new ways to put some park wives to (unpaid) work. Man and woman with telescope Connecting Fire, Connecting Conservation Fire burns across south Florida in a landscape level prescribed fire operation. Fire burns and smoke billows across south Florida landscape Plan Your Everglades Vacation Like a Park Ranger Plan like a Park Ranger with these top 10 tips for visiting Everglades National Park A small tree surrounded by grasses and water with a sunset in the background Cherry Payne: A Career of Commitment and Compromise When Cherry Payne was first interviewed by Dorothy Boyle Huyck in the 1970s, she was a young interpretive ranger at Grand Teton National Park at the start of her NPS career. In an oral history interview recorded in 2020, she reflected on where that career had taken her. Each step of the way, Payne balanced commitment with compromise as she made decisions about family life, professional life, and park management. Portrait of Cherry Payne in a house Series: Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) Newsletters From 2009 to 2015, the Pacific Ocean Education Team published a series of short newsletters about the health of the ocean at various National Park Service sites in and around the Pacific Ocean. Topics covered included the 2010 tsunami, marine debris, sea star wasting disease, ocean acidification, and more. Ocean waves wash in from the right onto a forested and rocky shoreline. Demonstrated Successes in 2021 for South Florida’s Exclusive Use Contract Helicopter In February 2021, South Florida Fire and Aviation transitioned to an Exclusive Use (EU) Contract helicopter while continuing to operate a DOI fleet aircraft as well. Acquisition of this EU helicopter brought substantial improvement through its ability to perform fire suppression and prescribed fire missions. Aerial view of helicopter flying above burning south Florida landscape. Southern Border Initiative – Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Law Enforcement Success in South Florida Parks and Preserve Between 2019 and 2021, South Florida Fire and Aviation Management used funds from the Southern Border Initiative to implement 224,792 acres of prescribed fire treatments throughout the area along the coasts of Everglades and Biscayne national parks. This helped to manage ecosystems and vegetation, to increase ecosystem resilience and health and safety and visibility for detecting illegal activity and to facilitate national security operations. A firefighter looks out a helicopter window at a south Florida wildland fire. Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Girl (Guide) Power Just as the contributions of many women have been overlooked in NPS history, so too have the contributions of girls who held officially sanctioned guide positions. Two girl ranger aides speak with a man across a counter. Changing Attitudes Most women with disabilities hired by the National Park Service (NPS) in the 1970s and early 1980s had temporary jobs. Some built long-term careers with the bureau. Starting before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, these women experienced the opportunities and changes the law brought. It was their hard work and dedication to the NPS mission, however, that continued to change attitudes and educate coworkers and visitors alike. Ranger Shirley Beccue in her wheelchair and NPS uniform and flat hat looks out over the Everglades. Art in the South Florida Parks Learn about the significance of art in the National Park system and see three selections from the South Florida National Parks. A three-panel woodcut print showing the diversity of the Big Cypress swamp by artist Molly Doctrow. Ranger Roll Call, 1950-1959 In the 1950s, women in uniform continue to work as guides, historians, and archeologists. Few women had permanent positions. A handful of women began to get seasonal ranger-naturalists positions at large national parks for the first time in two decades. Ann Livesay in her NPS uniform standing in front of a low wall at the edge of the Grand Canyon. National Park Service supports groundbreaking Indigenous fisheries management study Joining an international research team for a study published in journal Nature Communications, National Park Service (NPS) archeologists provided valuable research for a new global study finding that Indigenous groups sustainably harvested massive amounts of oysters over hundreds and sometimes thousands of years with minimal impact before European colonizers arrived. Two people mapping an oyster mound. Harney Re-Examined Part II: Harney's Treatment of Native Americans In the second part of "Harney Re-Examined" we explore General William Harney's treatment of Native Americans early in his career. Black and white lithograph of mounted horseman attacking native americans in a narrow hollow Harney Re-Examined Part IV: Harney and the Hanging of the San Patricio Brigade This article examines Harney's role in the Mexican-American War and his mass execution of the San Patricio Brigade watercolor painting of 20 men being hanged on a mass scaffold in front of a fortress Harney Re-Examined Part III: Harney and the Pig War This article re-examines William Harney's treatment of Native Americans and involvement in The Pig War Harney Re-Examined: The Early Years of General William Harney This article re-examines the early life and career of General William Harney From trickle to torrent: What’s up with water levels at Everglades National Park If you live in South Florida, you are probably aware that we had a very wet fall. For Everglades National Park, rainfall and restoration-related water management changes caused the trickle of water it had been receiving prior to September to quickly become a torrent. As a result, water levels in the park rose to be among some of the highest on record. An aerial view of a flooded Everglades ecosystem. Some green patches are shown surrounded by water. Historic Water Levels Offer Brief Glimpse of Life in a Restored Everglades National Park Water is the lifeblood of the Everglades. I know this to be true, and I tell other people about it a lot as a science communicator at Everglades National Park. I will admit, though, that until recently, our other mantra related to Everglades Restoration, “getting the water right,” seemed too good to be true. But the recent historic water levels in the Everglades and their effects have made me a believer. White and pink birds stand in water surrounded by grassy vegetation. Series: Harney Re-Examined: A New Look at a Forgotten Figure "This monster, Harney" was how a contemporary newspaper described General William Harney. While in uniform, William Harney massacred Native American civilians, murdered a young enslaved mother, killed multiple dogs, was court martialed four times, and nearly start a war with the UK. Today he is largely forgotten but his name adorns a river, a school, a lake, a county, a park, streets, a hot springs, and many other places. This article series asks, who was Harney? three negative style photographs of a man in a us military uniform with his hand to his chest Active fuels management leads to success for fire suppression South Florida Fire & Aviation (SFFA) has seen a significant decrease in the size and complexity of wildfires across south Florida over the past several years. The parks’ goal is to apply prescribed fire on each burn unit every five years. Approximately 50% of these burn unit acres have been treated with prescribed fire since fiscal year 2018. A helicopter flies over a burning forest. Partnerships assist in reaching prescribed fire goals in south Florida parks Crews from the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Florida Forest Service, and the US Forest Service came together to complete two prescribed fire projects in June 2022. The fires, East Hinson prescribed fire and Northeast prescribed fire, were funded for $34,400.00. A portion of both fires used Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, which was instrumental in the success of these projects. Two wildland firefighters ride through the marsh in an airboat. Guide to the Thomas J. Allen Photograph Collection Finding aid for the Thomas J. Allen Photographs in the NPS History Collection. Sea Level Rise Threatens Cultural Sites in the Everglades In Florida’s vast, world-class wetland, climate change puts important archeological and post-colonial features in the path of a rising tide. Tree islands rise out of a wet landscape at sunset Tracking a Flu Strain That’s Killing Wild Birds When confronted with a seemingly uncontrollable disease, surveillance matters. National parks are important watchdogs in the search to know more. NPS employee in safety gear handles a juvenile condor 50 Nifty Finds #11: Carving a Place in NPS History Few employees have left as visible a mark on National Park Service (NPS) exhibits as John A. Segeren. His work has been enjoyed by generations of park visitors who never knew his name but appreciated his intricate wood carvings and playful animal figures displayed in parks throughout the system. A master woodcarver described by former President Lyndon B. Johnson as "a legacy to this country," Segeren carved out his own place in NPS history. Round wooden plaque with bison, globe, and waterfall Outside Science (inside parks): Keeping an Eye on the Everglades Follow along as we take air boats and helicopters through Everglades National Park. A man standing in the wetlands 50 Nifty Finds #19: A Lens on History Ezra B. Thompson was a well-respected commercial photographer, lecturer, government employee, and contractor. He was also the first employee to make motion pictures for the US government. His films and other media were shown everywhere from international expositions to local libraries with equal amazement. For more than 40 years he used his cameras to capture the spectacular and the ordinary. How is it then that his negatives ended up in an estate sale in the 1970s? Old-fashioned van for E.B. Thompson's business My Park Story: Natalie Mudd Natalie Mudd is a Community Volunteer Ambassador Leader. Read Natalie’s story on how she gives back to national park sites, giving purpose to her park visits! Natalie holds pruning shears while surrounded with palm fronds. Guide to the E.B. Thompson Negative Collection This finding aid describes the E.B. Thompson Negative Collection, part of the NPS History Collection. 50 Nifty Finds #30: So Funny It Hurt Humor is a form of commentary that often reveals serious truths. Cartoonists combine artistic talents with razor-sharp wits to shine light on political and social issues. In most cases, those artists are external observers. In the National Park Service (NPS), employees in the 1960s to 1980s drew cartoons, published in official newsletters, that provide unique insights into NPS organizational culture, working conditions, and employees' concerns—many of which still exist today. A ranger showing a coloring book to a visitor saying that they care about children's education Mission 66 and Modern Architecture A brief overview of the Park Service Modern architectural style established during Mission 66. A modern building with tall, angular window walls and an attached cyclorama Veteran Story: David Riera David Riera served as a Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) intern at Everglades National Park within the Environmental Education Unit, Interpretation Division. David previously served in the United States Marine Corps from 1999 to 2007, supporting both Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. A man stands next to a banner with the words Find Your Park. Fire on the Horizon: How South Florida is training future fire leaders to meet the Nation’s upcoming wildfire challenges South Florida Fire and Aviation is building mutually beneficial coalitions with agencies from around the country to help train and utilize required skillsets to meet the fire management workloads. The strategy is to utilize proactive prescribed fire to treat the ecosystem on a landscape level under moderate conditions, while simultaneously training the future generation of wildland firefighters. A man in protective gear looks out a helicopter window at the flames of a prescribed burn below Progressive fire management in complex ecosystems South Florida parks have partnered with the South Florida Natural Resources Center to build a burn prioritization model as a decision-support tool for Everglades National Park. The model includes criteria for plant conservation, endangered species protection, human life and safety, cultural, archeological, and recreational resources protection, and invasive plant control. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to integrate multiple factors affecting fire management. Two people stand on an airboat in a swampy area where flames burn just ahead Long-Distance Hikers Navigate the Hazards of a Changing Climate For those who hike America’s thousand plus-mile national trails end-to-end, the benefits transcend the risks. But the effects of a warming world challenge even the most intrepid. A smiling, bearded man with a backpack and binoculars in front of a lake ringed with evergreen trees 50 Nifty Finds #44: All in Jest Historically jesters were associated with royal courts, not national parks. Yet for a brief period in the late 1950s the National Park Service (NPS) had its own ranger caricature to speak truth to power. Part mountain man stereotype and part voice for field staff, “One Lick R. Evergreen” wore an exaggerated ranger uniform, attended conferences, and submitted comments to NPS newsletters. Ranger character at podium Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Guide to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southeast Region Collection This finding aid describes the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southest Region Collection, part of the NPS History Collection. Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436 close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon Community Volunteer Ambassadors The primary duty of the Community Volunteers Ambassadors is to encourage local residents, particularly young people, to volunteer for climate-resilience-related projects in the park. A young woman holds two fingers up in front of a cactus, seemingly doing the same thing Building Bridges: South Florida communities benefit from prescribed fire In 2024, firefighters burned 233,954 acres across Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park aided with nearly $5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Years-long efforts paid dividends in 2024 with these public-facing burns sparking an immense amount of communication. This provided opportunities to highlight the role fire plays in the ecosystem and how the process works. A man interviews a firefighter in Nomex while a fire burns in vegetation nearby. Fire From Above: South Florida Enhances Prescribed Fire Management with Uncrewed Aircraft Systems In FY'24, uncrewed aircraft (UAS) were used in Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve to provide an aerial view of the landscape before and after prescribed fires helping to learn how the burn affected vegetation. Getting this view from above has been helpful for mapping and gaining imagery for prescribed fire units and making firefighting a little easier. A man in Nomex and a baseball cap looks up towards a small uncrewed aircraft. “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on a model to predict mercury risk park waterbodies: Kotalik, C.J. et al. 2025. Ecosystem drivers of freshwater mercury bioaccumulation are context-dependent: insights from continental-scale modeling. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07280 A person stands in a field looking at a bug through a magnifying lens. Dark Night, Safe Flight At night, birds use the stars to find their way. But bright lights from buildings can confuse them. That's why national parks are so important - they're like bird hotels! They give birds safe places to rest and eat, especially after flying across the ocean.

Everglades /(*?***"" Everglades National Park Florida . " - . . , - — National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior A There are no other Everglades in the world. N This landscape is unlike any other—beautiful, mysterious, and wild. Here, tropical and temperate species flourish side-by-side in an environment, part Caribbean, part North American. The essence of the Everglades is found in the sharp, ragged edges of sawgrass blades, an alligator's deep bellow, the high-stepping dance of wading birds, the waterway labyrinth of the Ten Thousand Islands, and the sparkling, aquamarine waters of Florida Bay. Marjory StonemarvDouglas Water is the lifeblood of the Everglades. In summer thunder clouds carry the sweet smell of rain, signaling a time of renewal. This slow-moving river is dependent on the seasonal rise and fall of fresh water. It is also dependent on people. For over 100 years we dredged, dammed, and drained the landscape, controlling the ebb and flow of this life-giving force. In doing so, we endangered the Everglades and the life dependent on it. Today there is hope. Critical restoration projects are attempting to emulate the natural flow of clean water to revitalize altered habitats. Everglades is one of a few national parks in the United States established to protect unparalleled biological diversity. It is also the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance. The future of the Everglades is in our hands. Sunrise on the Pa-hay-okee Trail ©GLENN GARDNER Past Mistakes, Present Challenges, Future Hopes For hundreds of years t h e Everglades was v i e w e d as a mysterious place, an u n k n o w n , uncharted wilderness t o most outsiders t h a t extended f r o m t h e Kissimmee River t o Lake Okeechobee, over low-lying land t o Biscayne Bay, t h e Ten Thousand Islands, and Florida Bay (diagram at right). This mosaic o f marshes, sawgrass prairies, and forests—home t o an a b u n dance o f birds, mammals, fish, and reptiles—was a prolific ecosystem t h a t replenished t h e aquifer, t h e source o f clean w a t e r f o r south Florida. Historic Water Flow kee, perhaps understood t h e EverCurrent Water Flow glades best. M a n y non-Indians m o v e d t o t h e area in t h e 1800s and early 1900s a n d v i e w e d this sensitive w e t l a n d as a worthless s w a m p . Dams, floodgates, canals, levees, and roads w e r e built, diverting precious w a t e r f r o m natural wetlands, reducing freshwater f l o w t o productive estuaries, creating land f o r agriculture, g r o w i n g communities, and setting t h e stage f o r ecological problems. Soon t h e Everglades was drying up. To complicate matters, invasive nonnative plants and animals, began t o spread and c o m p e t e w i t h native species. Everglades National Park was created in 1947, b u t outside its borders people w a g e d w a r o n this w e t l a n d . The American Indians w h o lived h e r e — t h e early Calusa and Tequesta, and later t h e Seminole and Miccosu- Projected global changes in t e m p e r a t u r e and precipitation may c o n t i n u e t o alter t h e Everglades. Sea level rise erodes cultural sites, changes habitats, and increases salinit y in estuaries and urban w a t e r supplies. Today t h e Comprehensive Everglades Rest o r a t i o n Plan is w o r k i n g t o mimic t h e historic natural f l o w o f water. Early results are encouraging—birds are r e t u r n i n g t o nest and nonnative plants have been removed in t h e w e t l a n d s restoration west o f Royal Palm. Restoration efforts are helping t h e park address regional challenges and t h e global issue o f climate change. You can help by reducing your carbon f o o t p r i n t . Major Influences Everglades National Park's collage of habitats (below) is dynamic. Water, elevation, fire, and hurricanes are major influences on the health of the Everglades. Water Water f l o w is essential t o all habitats in t h e Everglades. There are t w o main seasons here—wet and dry. The w e t season (May-November) is a time of abundance and renewal w h e n wildlife disperses, following t h e f l o o d of rainwater across the landscape. During t h e dry season wildlife congregates in and around ever-shrinking water sources such as ponds and gator holes. sun-lit environments typical of freshwater marshes and pine rocklands. Elevation A l t h o u g h measured in inches instead of feet, elevation defines each habitat, f r o m the lowest freshwater marsh t o higher tropical hardwood hammocks. Hurricanes Powerful hurricane winds and storm surges can destroy vegetation and re-shape shorelines, but these storms contribute t o the park's biodiversity by opening coastal landscapes t h a t favor certain plants and animals. Black skimmer O PHILIP SIDRAN Roseate spoonbill © PHILIP SIDRAN Fire Natural and prescribed fires help create the mosaic of habi

Florida Bay Map National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park www.nps.gov/ever Middle Key Joe Bay Alligator Bay Seven Palm Lake Coot Bay W W East Cape Canal East Cape Chickee Umbrella Key Tin Can Channel Crocodile Pt Otter Key Madeira Bay Bay Derelict Key Mosquito Pt Middle Ground Frank Key Oyster Keys Conkey l Buttonwood Sound Shell Key Bob Keys Swash Keys Manatee Keys er Ev Key Largo Bottle Key Stake Key ad gl Coon Key es Johnson Key tio Na na Man of War Key Cluett Key Jimmy Channel Calusa Keys Bo b Al s len Key Corinne Key Sid Key 1 Low Key Whipray Keys Dead Terrapin Key Topsy Key Rodriguez Key Captain Key k ar lP Man of War Channel Black Betsy Keys Jim Foot Key Chickee Sandy Key Porjoe Key Russell Key Dildo Key Carl Ross Key Rattlesnake Key Blackwater Sound Whaleback Key Park Key Whipray Basin Pelican Keys 1 El Radabob Key Twisty Mile Buttonwood Keys Dildo Key Bank Nest Keys Brush Keys End Key Roscoe Key Clive Key First National Bank Pass Key Club Key Curlew Key Murray-Clive Channel JO PENNE CORA STATE Largo Pt The Boggies Tern Keys Lake Key Samphire Keys Dump Keys Cormorant Key Catfish Key Channe y Crocodile Dragover Triplet Keys Camp Key Ke Crocodile Dragover Big Key Buoy Key Palm Key Duck Key Terrapin Pt Rankin Key Murray Key ss Snipe Pt Eagle Key Terrapin Santini Bight Thursday Pt Deer Key W Rankin Bight (Pole/Troll Zone) han Joe Kemp Key Bradley Key Garfield Bight ht C Flamingo Porpoise Pt Snake Bight nel ra ha m Sna ke B ig Bo Molasses Reef un Pollock Keys Spy Key ry da Iron Pipe Channel Crane Keys Panhandle Key Rabbit Keys Oxfoot Bank East Key Rabbit Key Basin Schooner Bank FLORIDA B AY Crab Keys Gopher Keys West Key em ile Twin Keys nk Ban y k in Ke Ba Upper Arsnicker Keys c ni se Ar Tripod Bank nk Ba n oo nt Po Tavernier Key Plantation Plantation Key FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY Windley Key Peterson Keys Buchanan Keys nk Ba y wa o rac ATLANTIC OCEAN Teatable Key North Lower Matecumbe Key Fiesta Key 1 5 Long Key Upper Matecumbe Key Indian Key r ate l W a ast Islamorada Shell Key Lignumvitae Key State Aquatic Preserve Lignumvitae Key Int To Key West 70 mi 112 km t Na Tav ern ier C reek Barnes Key Lower Arsnicker Keys Sprigger Bank ion Snake Creek Tw FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY s ade rgl Eve Rabbit Key Pass Nin ary nd ou kB ar al P Tavernier Anne’s Beach 0 1 0 5 1 10 Kilometers 5 10 Miles Channel Ing Bear Lake Buttonwood Canal ay ira B ade Davis Cove SOUND 905 Little Blackwater Sound Trout Cove Boggy Key Cape Sable W eM Littl BARNES nd Sou o Cr West Lake Long KE Y est Cape Main Key LA RG O Short Key Manatee Bay Not for Navigation! • Use International Sailing Supply Waterproof Chart 33E/NOAA Chart #11451 • Turn Over for Legend Florida Bay Map Legend National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park www.nps.gov/ever 3-6 feet deep. Recommended for boats 23 feet in length or less. Passes & Channels Black dotted. Extremely shallow, narrow and twisty. Not recommended. Less than 3 feet deep. Recommended for boats drafting less than 12 inches. Avoid stopping and starting—even shallow boats can “crater” the bottom when getting up on plane. Black. Extremely shallow (16 inches deep or less) and often very hard to read. Use other routes in winter. Only shallow draft boats (1 foot or less) at all times. Shoal or banktop. These areas can be less than 1 foot deep. Poling or trolling motors recommended. W Red. Some portions less than two feet deep and require tight turns. Extra care required to avoid damage to the bottom. Only shallow draft boats (1 foot or less). Wilderness Entry. Paddle-in only. Only boats with motor removed from transom allowed beyond these points. Green. Wide channels that are usually deep and easy to read. Good for beginners. Boats drafting more than 18 inches are not recommended. Wilderness. Only boats with motor removed from transom allowed in these waters. Wildlife Management Area. Closed to any and all entry. Formerly known as the “Crocodile Sanctuary.” Snake Bight Pole/Troll Zone Boundary. Combustion motors may not be used unless in Tin Can Channel, Snake Bight Channel, or the Jimmy’s Lake Idle Speed-No Wake Area. Jimmy’s Lake Idle Speed-No Wake Area. Deeper area within Snake Bight Pole/Troll Zone. Combustion motors may be used at idle speed. Channel Mouth & Markers. Size up the channel from a safe distance. Stay on plane and slow down. Channels are shallowest at their entrances and exits, so trim your motor. Enter the channel. If there are two stakes, stay between them. If there is only one stake, stay as close as possible to it. Arrows on the stakes point towards the channel. Entrance Shallow Trim Up Pollock Keys Spy Key Panhandle Key A Gopher Keys

Florida Bay Map & Guide National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park www.nps.gov/ever Flamingos in eastern Snake Bight. (NPS Photo by Tim Taylor) By Pole or by Troll: The New Snake Bight Shhhhh… Snake Bight is now a quieter place. That’s because in late 2010, it became Everglades National Park’s first pole/troll zone, where boaters can use push poles or trolling motors, but the use of combustible motors is prohibited. This new zone is the result of careful study by park scientists and considerable input from people who fish, birdwatch, and otherwise enjoy nature in Flamingo. Encouraged by monitoring data from Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where pole/troll zones have successfully reduced new propeller scars, they recommended the method for Florida Bay. For a bird’s-eye view, search for “Snake Bight” on Google Earth! From the air, it’s easy to see the extensive propeller damage in Snake Bight, and easy to understand how boaters drift far into this wildlife-rich paradise before realizing there’s no easy exit. The same boat that gracefully skims shallow waters on plane, becomes a relentless anchor when the motor stops. Long white cuts through seagrass beds and blowholes where propellers struggled to push vessels onplane, document years of “learn by doing” boater education. Snake Bight is so shallow that wind and tides often leave its large flats exposed, and visitors must be extra vigilant when planning a trip here. It’s no fun trying to get your boat out of shoe-sucking mud, which makes up much of the bottom, or poling for what seems like hours once the wind picks up, so be sure to check weather forecasts before you venture out! To protect seagrass, push poles or trolling motors must be used in Snake Bight’s shallower areas; however, boats may still use internal combustion motors and travel on-plane in Tin Can and Snake Bight channels. A slightly deeper area at the southern end of the bight, Jimmy’s Lake, is an idle speed-no wake area. So… is the zone protecting seagrass? Is the fishing better? To help answer these and other questions about the zone’s effectiveness, the park created a monitoring plan, which includes getting your feedback. If you’re in Snake Bight fishing or just enjoying a day out on the water, you can be a part of the pole/troll zone’s success. To prevent damage to seagrass, remember to stay in deeper channels during a falling tide, and look for the pole/ troll zone and idle speed signs posted around the bight. “During low tide, I love to paddle to the west end of Snake Bight. This is my favorite place to watch wildlife in Everglades National Park,” says long-time park ranger Bob Showler. “In Snake Bight, you can see sharks cruise lazily across the flats, dolphins charge schools of leaping mullet, and peregrine falcons scare up huge flocks of wintering shorebirds.” Snake Bight is well-known for hosting large numbers of wintering birds, including white pelicans, shorebirds, and raptors. It’s one of the best places in the park to see roseate spoonbills; and if you’re very lucky, you may even spot an elegant pink flamingo in the wild. But be sure to look in the water where you just might see tarpon, sharks, rays, redfish, crocodiles, dolphins, manatees— well, you get the idea. Snake Bight is popular with all kinds of wildlife! And now you’ll be more likely to s e e th e m up close… quietly. Volume 2 For additional copies of the Florida Bay Map & Guide, visit www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/boating.htm. Florida Bay Checklist Don’t forget to have all your required safety equipment onboard, as well as other boating essentials… PFDs or life jackets, and a Type IV throwable PFD Visual distress signals, such as flares Fire extinguisher, Marine Type USCG Type B Sound-producing devices, such as whistles or horns Dive flags, one on the boat & one in the water Navigation aids, including charts, compass & GPS, & spotlights/flashlights Charged cell phone &/or radio Water & snacks Sun protection, including a hat, sunblock & polarized sunglasses Dry bags with a change of clothes Binoculars & camera The Florida Bay Map & Guide was made possible in part with generous support from the South Florida National Parks Trust. 2 Florida Bay Map & Guide Planning Ahead… for a Great Day on Florida Bay Brown, brown, run aground, White, white, you may be right! Green, green, nice and clean, Blue, blue, sail on through. If Florida Bay is your destination, you’ll want to keep this little ditty in mind. Here, brown refers to the appearance of shallow water, such as a mudbank or seagrass bed; white to the sandy bottoms that can be deceiving, as the clear water above them often looks deeper than it really is; and green or blue to deeper waters. Plot Your Course. While you’ll find a handy map of the bay on pages 4-5, it’s not intended as a navigation aid. International Sailing Supply Waterproof Chart 33E/ NOAA Chart #11451 is indispensable for getting around Florida Bay. Whe

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Wilderness Trip Planner Plan Ahead S. Department of the Interior Safely exploring a wilderness by water requires careful preparation and planning. Plan at least two routes before arriving at the park in case your first choice is already filled. If you require assistance planning your trip, call or stop by the Gulf Coast (Everglades City) or Flamingo Visitor Centers. You may also find answers to your questions by visiting the Everglades National Park website at www.nps.gov/ever. Seasons Because of the heat, severe storms, and intolerable numbers of mosquitoes, summer (June –October) is not the best time of year for a wilderness trip. The winter months (December–April) tend to be more pleasant. Obtain Charts Nautical charts are necessary for finding your way in the wilderness and are useful in planning your trip. Charts may be purchased at the Coe and Gulf Coast Visitor Centers, Flamingo Marina, and Everglades NP Boat Tours, or ordered from the Everglades Association (page 3). Some sites are not indicated with a tent symbol on nautical charts. Consult visitor center maps before departure. You can often experience solitude at a beach site like the one above. But be prepared for a primitive camping experience—there are no toilets or tables at most beach sites in the wilderness of Everglades National Park. Routes Possibilities are unlimited for overnight wilderness trip routes from Flamingo or Gulf Coast. Refer to maps, nautical charts, and guide books. The 99-mile Wilderness Waterway attracts interest because it connects Flamingo and Everglades City. Most paddlers allow at least eight days to complete the trip. This route is recommended for experienced paddlers only. Arrange in advance for a vehicle shuttle. There are many areas of very shallow water that may be encountered along the Wilderness Waterway. Powerboats over 18' long may have to detour around Alligator and Plate Creeks. The “Nightmare” and Broad Creek are passable only to paddlers at high tide. To prevent prop dredging, which results in increased turbidity and the destruction of submerged natural features, boats with drafts of two feet or more, including the propeller, should not use the waterway. Be Realistic Tides and winds can make paddling difficult. Most experienced paddlers plan to travel between 8 and 12 miles per day. Adverse conditions may reduce your speed to one mile an hour or less. Boaters are expected to know their own abilities, be able to use charts, understand tides and weather, and make appropriate decisions in selecting an itinerary. This is a wilderness. You’ll Need a Permit Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping, except in drive-in campgrounds or when sleeping aboard boats. There is a $15 fee for processing permits, as well as a $2 per person/per day camping fee. Fees are subject to change. Permits may only be obtained in person on the day before or the day your trip begins. Insect conditions can be severe during summer months and wilderness use is minimal; permits are free, and permit-writing desks may not be staffed. Permits are still required—follow self–registration instructions at the Flamingo or Gulf Coast Visitor Centers (late April to mid-November). Wilderness users originating from the Florida Keys can also obtain permits by phone for North Nest Key, Little Rabbit Key, Johnson Key, Shark Point Chickee, and Cape Sable. Call the Flamingo Visitor Center at (239) 695-2945, no more than 24 hours prior to the start of your trip. A credit card is required in winter. You may call (239) 6953311 for these sites only if no one is available at Flamingo in summer. Winter Hours (subject to change) Flamingo Visitor Center: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; (239) 695-2945 Gulf Coast Visitor Center: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; (239) 695-3311 First trip? The wilderness of Everglades National Park is very different from other places you may have boated, paddled, or camped. It can be confusing and difficult to navigate as the mazes of mangrove–lined creeks and bays all begin to look the same. With proper planning, you can avoid the frustration and hours wasted from getting lost. If this is your first wilderness trip in the Everglades, ease into it with a one or two night trip instead of jumping into a several night Wilderness Waterway excursion. From the Flamingo area, camp along the marked Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail at either Pearl Bay or Hell’s Bay Chickees. Or, follow the shore of Florida Bay to camp on the beach at East Cape Sable. From the Gulf Coast area, follow the marked channel through Indian Key Pass to Picnic or Tiger Keys, for an opportunity to experience camping on beaches. Campsite Information The limit for number of nights at a campsite applies to the peak use season from mid-November through late April. Campsite capacities applies year-round, and are subject to change. Campsites must be vacated by noon. - All beach sites have shallow water approach; motor boats use caution. - At all beach sites,

Everglades National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Coast Paddling Guide Paddling in the Everglades and Big Cypress The Big Cypress to the north is dominated by cypress strands with fresh water that flows out into the coastal estuaries of Everglades National Park to the Ten Thousand Islands. The mix of fresh and salt water provides ideal conditions for paddlers to view alligators, wading birds, dolphins, manatees, and osprey. While the trails are accessible year-round, most paddlers attempt them during the winter months when it is cooler and there are less mosquitos. Paddling times vary from two to seven hours depending on winds, tides, paddling speeds, and which trails you choose. These trails can be difficult for inexperienced paddlers or under certain conditions. Paddling against the tide, fighting a headwind, or being unprepared for the weather or mosquitoes can make for a very strenuous paddle. You can get information about the weather, tides, and conditions of the trails at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center (239) 695-3311or at the Big Cypress Welcome Center (239) 695-4758. 29  Follow the outdoor ethics of “Leave no Trace.” Leave what you find, minimize your impact, respect the wildlife, be considerate of other visitors, dispose of waste properly, plan ahead, and be prepared.  Read all the safety guidelines on page 3 before attempting any canoe trips. Turner River Canoe Launch Big Cypress Welcome Center Canoe Launch rR ive r Ha lf w ay Cr ee k Halfway Creek Loop Left H and T Canoe Launch er eB ay Ind ian Ke y Sandfly Island olo sk e rn ok Tu Ch Ri ve r Gulf Coast Visitor Center Chokoloskee Tu r ne Everglades City urner River HP Williams Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve share a boarder near Everglades City. Between these two parks visitors can enjoy scenic canoe trails that meander through cypress forests, mangrove tunnels, and shallow estuaries teeming with fish, birds, and other wildlife. Leave No Trace s iam ill PW Look for the Halfway Creek (HC) and Loop (L) Trail Makers at junctions and turn offs. H iver 1 R r ne Tur ut-In P Canoe Launch 2 3 4 29 Se a Big Cypress Welcome Center G ra pe Dr . 6 7 HC0 8 Turn e r Riv er Canoe Launch 5 HC1 Lo op HC4 L14 L09 L10 HC5 ek L11 e Cr wa y L12 y wa Ha lf L15 L13 lf Ha HC2 HC3 HC6 No Wake Sign L08 L06 L05 L02 HC7 HC8 L01 L04 ove ngr el a M unn T Park Boundary Sign lfw Ha Everglades City 9 Left Hand Turner River ay Cr ee k 29 L03 When powerboaters approach, move closer to the road side of the channel where it is shallower and wait for the powerboat to pass. Turner River L07 10 Hurd d les C reek Canoe Launch Gulf Coast Visitor Center Chokoloskee Bay Beware of swift currents under the bridge. Chokoloskee Island Halfway Creek and Loop Trails Turner River Canoe Trail The Turner River is accessible from the canoe launch on US 41. From the beginning of the river to Chokoloskee, it is 8.5 miles and the Gulf Coast Visitor 1 Canoe launch on US 41: Paddle along the canal then turn right under the bridge. 2 Entrance to 1st mangrove tunnel: Watch for low branches and roots. This tunnel is short, about 2/10 of a mile. 3 Small Pond: At the exit of the 1st mangrove tunnel lies a small pond. While it may seem like a dead-end, look to the right for the opening to the next tunnel. This tunnel is longer than the first. 4 Junction with the Turner River Canal: The Turner River route swings south to the right. The old Turner River Canal is visible to the left. This canal has been plugged to restore water to the Turner River. 5 Four-Way Junction: Here the waterway widens. The trail continues straight ahead with sawgrass prairies on both sides. 6 Mangrove Tunnel: This tunnel is short, and opens into a transition zone of sawgrass on your left and mangrove trees on your right. Center is an additional 3 miles. Allow 5-8 hours. Alligators are in the area. Keep a safe distance and give them the right of way. 7 Important Turn!: As you paddle along the sawgrass/mangrove zone you will enter a small pond. The trail looks like it might continue straight along the sawgrass/mangrove area. It does not. The canoe route is on the right, where careful observation will reveal the mangrove tunnel entrance. This tunnel is longer - 4/10 of a mile. In the tunnel you will pass a USNPS Boundary Marker. 8 Tunnel Exit: The river widens and the trail passes through a series of lakes. 9 Small Creek: On the left you may notice a creek leading to a small lake. The route to Chokoloskee continues straight ahead. Watch for Powerboats and Move out of their Way! 10 Hurddles Creek / Left Hand Turner River: On the left you will see Hurddles Creek. Continue straight and watch for Left Hand Turner on the right. Chokoloskee Island is 2.4 miles straight ahead. Follow the causeway to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. For a longer trip, take L

Everglades National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park Flamingo Canoe Trails Caution: Tides and winds can significantly affect your canoe trip. Do not overestimate your abilities. 1 Nine Mile Pond 5.2 mile loop This scenic trail passes through shallow grassy marsh with scattered mangrove islands. Watch for alligators, wading birds, and an occasional endangered snail kite. The trail is marked with numbered white poles. A more detailed trail map is available. Trail may be impassable due to low water levels near the end of the dry season. Motors prohibited. 2 Noble Hammock 2 mile loop The sharp turns and narrow passageways through this mangrove-lined trail require good maneuvering skills. Enjoy a “crash” course. Check for low water levels during the dry season. A calm trail on a windy day. Motors prohibited. 3 Hells Bay 3.0 miles to Lard Can 3.5 miles to Pearl Bay Chickee 5.5 miles to Hells Bay Chickee “Hell to get into and Hell to get out of,” or so the old timers claimed. This sheltered route weaves through mangrove creeks and ponds to a series of small bays beyond Lard Can. The trail is marked with more than 160 poles. A more detailed trail map is available. Motors are prohibited from the trailhead to Lard Can. A wilderness permit is required for overnight camping. 4 Florida Bay Distance varies Opportunities for fun abound! Watch mullet jump and birds feed (particularly at Snake Bight), do some fishing, or just enjoy the scenic bay. Explore Bradley Key (during daylight hours only), the only nearby key open to landing. The open waters of Florida Bay are relatively mosquito-free, even in summer. Not recommended on windy days due to open, rough waters. 5 Bear Lake Canoe Trail Check Ranger Station for Conditions! 1.6 miles to Bear Lake 11.5 miles one way to/from Cape Sable This historic canal is surrounded by tropical trees, bromeliads and orchids. Check trail conditions first as this trail is often impassable due to shallow water. Trail begins at Bear Lake Trailhead. 6 Mud Lake Loop 7 miles round trip from Coot Bay Pond Venture inland through the mangroves on this trail connecting the Buttonwood Canal, Coot Bay, Mud Lake, and Bear Lake. Birding can be good at Mud Lake. Accessible from the Bear Lake Trailhead into the Buttonwood Canal or Coot Bay Pond. Motors are prohibited on Mud Lake and Bear Lake. Check the Visitor Center for current status of this trail. 7 West Lake 7.7 miles one way to Alligator Creek Paddle through a series of large open lakes connected by narrow creeks lined with mangroves. Look for alligators and crocodiles. West Lake is closed to vessels with motors greater than 6 h.p. Motors are prohibited from the east end of West Lake through Alligator Creek. Not recommended on windy days due to open, rough waters. A wilderness permit is required for overnight camping. Paddlers: you may encounter motorboats in some areas. If you are in a narrow river or pass, and a boat approaches, pull as far to the side as possible, point the bow of your canoe or kayak into the boat’s wake, and stop paddling until the boat passes. Everglades National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park Flamingo Hiking Trails Mosquitoes Be well prepared for mosquitoes on all trails in the Flamingo area. Long pants, closed shoes, and mosquito repellent are recommended. Summer conditions Due to high mosquito levels and wet and muddy conditions most of the trails listed below are not suitable for hiking in summer. 1 Snake Bight 1.8 miles one way Don’t let the name fool you! In this play on words, a “bight” is actually a bay (Snake Bight) within a bay (Florida Bay). Enter another world as you travel through a tropical hardwood hammock with dozens of tropical tree species. Bird watching may be good from the boardwalk at the end of the trail if you plan your hike or bike ride to arrive near high tide (tide charts available at the visitor center). 2 Rowdy Bend 2.6 mile one way Explore an overgrown old road bed through shady buttonwoods and open coastal prairie. This is an opportunity for good woodland bird watching. Combine this trail with the Main Park Road (use caution!) and the Snake Bight Trail for a 12.6 mile round-trip bike ride from the Flamingo Visitor Center. 3 Christian Point 1.8 miles one way Wander a rustic path through a wide diversity of habitats. The trail begins in dense mangroves and buttonwoods full of bromeliads. Next, investigate the unusual, salt-loving vegetation of open coastal prairie. Dead buttonwood snags punctuate these expanses. Trail ends along the shore of Snake Bight, best viewed near low tide for birds. 4 Bear Lake Trail: 1.6 miles one way Road: 2 miles one way Journey through a dense hardwood hammock mixed with mangroves. The trail follows the old Homestead Canal, built in 1922, and can be an excellent area for woodland birds. The trail is home to dozens of Caribbean tree species. Bike, drive, or walk to the end of

National Park National Park Park Service National National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades Everglades National Park Everglades National Park Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail DESCRIPTION A meeting ground of marsh and mangrove environments. You may see alligators, wading birds, turtles, and fish. LENGTH A five mile loop, marked with 116 numbered white PVC pipes. You can take a short cut at marker #44, which will shorten the trip by 11⁄2 miles. TIME Allow 4 to 5 hours to leisurely paddle this loop. SEASONS Low water levels in late February through May can make the trail difficult or impassable. Check with a ranger. SAFETY & COMFORT Use care when crossing the deep, open water of the pond. Insects are generally not a problem in the open marsh through which the trail weaves. Avoid tree islands in the summer and fall months as they harbor mosquitoes in and around them. WHAT TO BRING Recommended supplies include water, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, rain gear, snacks, PFD for each canoest, an extra paddle, and a waterproof bag for gear. Crossing Nine Mile Pond can be the most rigorous part of the five mile trail. Strong winds frequently ripple the pond’s surface. Head directly across the pond from the parking area (eastward) toward a single white marker, #1. Scan the water and edges of the pond for anhingas, cormorants, herons, great egrets, and other feathered feeders. Look for floating “logs” with eyes; often, shy alligators are spotted amongst the cattails. Marker #1 The portal The water is fresh to slightly brackish, depending on the time of year and abundance of rainfall. The narrow channel you navigate is the portal to Nine Mile Pond Trail. The red mangrove is predominant throughout the marsh. It grows as a shrub, with arching roots and long, waxy leaves, with central roots rotting. The round stemmed “grass” in the open areas is spike rush. Marker #3 Tree islands The rounded leaves of the cocoplum are directly behind this marker. To the right is the buttonwood tree, home for a miniature forest of air plants. High, relatively dry ground in the island’s interior permits these and other trees to flourish. Markers #11 & #12 Bedrock The mosaic of light and dark on the bottom of the pool indicates the limestone bedrock of south Florida. Red mangroves grow as stunted shrubs here rather than as the taller trees found along the shoreline of Florida Bay. Everglades Snail kite Marker #39 Worlds within worlds Air plants, or bromeliads, perch regally upon mangrove branches all along the trail. Rainwater is captured and stored by the plant’s vase-like base. Mosquitoes and other insects deposit eggs and reside in the bromeliads, attracting tree frogs, lizards, and birds. Decaying leaves, animal droppings and other ingredients mix with captured water to form a nutrient base for the plant. These plants are nonparasitic squatters using the host tree only as a perch from which to gather sunlight and nutrients. Marker #44 Optional shortcut You can shorten your trip by following the trail to marker 44A. At this point bear to your left where two markers say “SHORTCUT” and cross the open marsh to marker #82. Paddle to the deeper water near marker #82 before heading to marker #83. Markers #46 & #47 Sea of “breadsticks” A beige colored algae mat, periphyton, surrounds many of the rushes, creating a rich supply of food for apple snails, small fish, and tadpoles. During droughts, the “breadstick” algae can store water and provide refuge to the eggs and larvae of a new generation of Everglades dwellers. Marker #49 String of living pearls Bear left passing marker #49. Scan the mangrove roots and spike rush for splotches of Main Park Road Homestead, FL 38 miles, 60.8 km Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail 9336 82 78 109 115 72 44 52 1 9 Mile Pond 12 LEGEND Numerous small red mangroves and tree islands (hammocks) Flamingo 12 miles, 19.2 km Primarily shallow marsh/marl prairie, dominated by spike rush Deep, human—made water ponds, or borrow pits Main park road 1 Canoe trail with trail markers North 0 0 white or pink just above the water line. What looks like a mass of pearls are actually the fragile eggs of the apple snail, the largest fresh water snail in the Everglades. As with all life, the apple snail is a vital part of its marsh habitat. The survival of the endangered Snail kite, a hawk-like bird of prey, is dependent upon this shelled animal as its only source of food. Apple snails are also a favorite of the alligator! absorb the symphonies of the wild, and breath deeply of the sultry, fresh air. You have found a world of gentle order. Marker #67 to #68 The meat-eater Bladderwort, a free-floating, fern-like plant, grows in these waters. This aquatic plant produces a small yellow bloom just above the water’s surface. Using its tiny, submerged bladders, it feeds on minute aquatic life, including mosquito larvae. Markers #92–#100 A slow recovery Here your rou

Everglades National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail DESCRIPTION This sheltered route weaves through mangrove lined creeks and ponds to a series of small bays. You will see two backcountry chickees and a ground site along the way. A backcountry permit is required for overnight camping. LENGTH 5.5 miles one way to Hells Bay Chickee. This is an in–and–out trail, marked by more than 160 numbered white PVC pipes TIME Allow 6-8 hours to leisurely paddle the entire trail and back. SEASONS Low water levels in late February through May can make the trail difficult or impassable. Check with a ranger. SAFETY & COMFORT The mangrove tunnels through which much of the trail winds can be buggy, particularly during the summer and fall months. WHAT TO BRING Recommended supplies include water, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent or bug jacket, rain gear, snacks, PFD for each canoeist, an extra paddle, and a waterproof bag for gear. Any further navigation beyond the marked canoe trail requires Nautical chart #11433. Black–crowned Night Heron Backcountry chickees provide paddlers a way to experience the mangrove swamp overnight. “Hell to get into, and Hell to get out of” is what old timers claimed about the mangrove maze leading into Hells Bay. Here, near the headwaters of the mangrove swamp, a confusing and seemingly infinite series of ponds, islands and narrow creeks becomes the landscape’s dominant theme. Whether you complete the whole trail or just paddle for an hour or two, your experience will expose you to the complex and distinctive mangrove ecosystem. The Mangrove Swamp A tangled web of reddish, arching roots rises out of the tea–colored water. The red mangrove, stunted due to thin soil over the limestone bedrock, dominates the landscape here. It’s stilt–like prop roots hold the tree upright in the soft mud and water, and aerial roots drop down from the branches to lend further support. The red mangrove’s ability to grow in soil that is mostly submerged by saltwater affords them the luxury of not having to compete with other plants for light, nutrients, and space. Squatters Bromeliads, often called “air plants”, perch regally upon mangrove branches all along the trail. Rainwater is captured and stored by the plant’s vase–like base. Mosquitoes and other insects deposit eggs and reside in the bromeliads, attracting tree frogs, lizards, and birds. Decaying leaves, animal droppings and other ingredients mix with captured water to form a nutrient base for the plant. These plants are nonparasitic squatters using the host tree only as a perch from which to gather sunlight and nutrients. Green beans, anyone? As you paddle along, you may notice what appear to be giant green beans floating in the water or dangling from the mangrove branches. These are the red mangrove’s young offspring, called propagules. After a propagule falls from a tree, it either anchors in the soft mud, or, if it falls into water, drifts along until it becomes waterlogged and sinks to the bottom. Tiny roots will sprout from the tip of the propagule, anchoring it into the mud. A new mangrove is born! Wildlife alert! You’ll need to look carefully for wildlife as you wind through the mangroves. A few resident alligators haul themselves onto exposed clearings along the creek bank. Watch for these “roadside pullouts”. Alligators normally don’t nest in the mangrove environment, but an abundance of fish provides them with plenty of food. A closer look into the maze of arching roots might be rewarded with a glimpse of mangrove crabs, snails, and anoles. Underwater nurseries The mangrove swamp offers juvenile marine life—such as fish, crabs, and shrimp—an ideal nursery ground. The tangle of arching red mangrove prop roots is a suitable hiding place from predators. Also, decomposing mangrove leaves, coated with tiny bacteria and fungi, are high in protein and form the basis for food chains upon which these creatures depend. As the fish, crabs, and shrimp mature, they move into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. It may be hard to believe, but most of the sport fish, food fish, and shellfish that are captured off our tropical coasts depend on the mangrove as a nursery or feeding ground for at least part of their lives. Hells Bay and Beyond Trail markers end at the Hells Bay Chickee. But before beginning your return trip, take a moment to float on the open water. Open your ears to the songs of birds, the splashes of fish, and the choruses of frogs. The mangrove swamp through which you have just traveled serves not only to house, feed, and protect these and many other creatures, but it also provides us with a true wilderness experience; one that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world. Wilderness camping opportunities 3.5 miles into the canoe trail, you will discover the first of two backcountry chickees, Pearl Bay. Chickees are elevated wooden p

Everglades National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park Pineland Hiking and Biking Trails South Florida's pinelands are islands of higher, infrequently flooded ground dotted with dense stands of broad- leaved trees and shrubs and surrounded by thousands of acres of open wet prairies. Most of the pines in this area were logged before the establishment of Everglades National Park in 1947. Roads created by logging, fire roads and old farm access roads have created a 43 mile (69 km) network of paved and primitive trails through the pinelands. Closed to vehicular traffic, most of these trails are simply two ruts in the limestone bedrock. They are ideal for long, leisurely hikes, and a few are open for bicycling. Trail Access The Long Pine Key picnic area, 6 miles (10 km) from the main entrance, provides parking and easy access to the pineland trails. You may also park on road shoulders near the gates where trails meet paved roads. Emergency access to the area may be necessary so please avoid blocking the gates. Hikers can easily get around or under the gates. Many sections of the pineland trail system are not suitable for hiking during the summer months due to abundant mosquitoes and mud. The Old Ingraham Highway is a good alternative with yearround access. This former road is ideal for extended hikes and bike trips. If you wish to walk or bike the entire road, be prepared for a 22 mile (35 km) round trip. Pinelands Ecology The pinelands are the most diverse habitat in Everglades National Park, consisting of an open south Florida slash pine forest with an understory of saw palmetto and over 200 species of subtropical plants. They are also one of the last refuges for the elusive Florida panther. Those fires kept the forest floor clear of fast growing hardwoods that would otherwise overtake and replace the pines, destroying the diversity of the understory. Since many wildfires must now be extinguished for the safety of visitors and local residents, the National Park Service replaces them with prescribed burns when conditions permit safe, manageable fires. Fire is an important force in maintaining the pineland habitat. Historically, fires, ignited by lighting, burned through the pine forests every 4 to 7 years. Wilderness Most pineland trails are within the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness Area. To minimize impact in wilderness areas motorized vehicles, bicycles and pets are not permitted. Bicycles are allowed on paved roads, the Long Pine Key Nature Trail, and the Old Ingraham Highway. Please remember all plants and animals are protected. Disturbing or feeding wildlife is illegal and can be dangerous. Wilderness camping is allowed, but a permit must first be obtained at the park Entrance Station. Please pack out your trash. Printed through the generosity of the Everglades Association EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Printed 3/2005 

National Parks of South Florida National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Biscayne, Dry Tortugas and Everglades National Parks Big Cypress National Preserve Trip Planner The official guide for planning your trip to National Park areas in South Florida. Photo Courtesy of Ralph Arwood Photo Courtesy of Don Richards Big Cypress Biscayne Dry Tortugas Planning a Trip? A visit to South Florida’s national parks and preserves can be an experience you won’t soon forget. Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, and Everglades National Parks, and Big Cypress National Preserve offer opportunities ranging from snorkeling to wildlife photography to camping on a backcountry chickee. Planning ahead is the best way to take advantage of these opportunities, and choosing what time of year to visit, based on your interests, can be the key to an enjoyable trip. Rainy Season Dry Season During the rainy season warmer, clear ocean waters make snorkeling in Biscayne and Dry Tortugas the perfect way to explore these parks. Boating and canoeing in open waters helps to avoid mosquitoes. Boat tours out of Biscayne National Park and the Gulf Coast and Flamingo areas of Everglades National Park are another way to stay cool. While some birds are drawn to the parks year round, the abundance of migrating and wintering birds makes South Florida’s National Parks a birder’s paradise during the dry season. Falling water levels within the Everglades and Big Cypress areas result in abundant wildlife concentrated in ponds and canals, providing excellent viewing opportunities. Seasonal rains bring higher water levels within Everglades and Big Cypress, causing wildlife such as alligators and wading birds to disperse and to be seen less frequently. Mosquito levels may become high, and exploring trails in some areas of the parks can become intolerable. While visiting during this season you may find daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, temperatures in the mid- to hi-80s and a multitude of mosquitoes. During this time of year you will also find an array of blooming plants, views of towering storm clouds and opportunities to experience the parks with fewer visitors. Remember, during the rainy season mosquitoes may be unbearable in some areas. The dry season is the busy season in South Florida’s national parks. Most visitors to Big Cypress, Biscayne, and the Everglades come between December and March. March through May are busy months at Dry Tortugas National Park. During months of higher visitation lodging reservations are recommended and campgrounds may be busy. Larger crowds, fewer mosquitoes, greater wildlife viewing opportunities and more enjoyable hiking, camping and canoeing adventures in all the parks characterize this time of year. Finally, the parks offer a greater variety and number of ranger-led activities that provide an in-depth look into the special natural and cultural resources protected within them. Everglades Printed Winter 2007 – 08 Mont Avera Minim ge Avera Temp um ge M eratu re Te aximum mper ature h Nove m throu ber gh Ap ril May t h Octob rough er 66°F/1 9 °C 76°F/2 4°C Annu al 71°F/2 2°C Dry S Humid ity Avera Mont ge h Rainf ly all eason 76°F/2 4°C Rainy 85°F/2 9°C 81°F/2 7°C 57% Seaso 2.17” /5.5cm n 64% 5.39” /13.3c m 45.44 ”/115 .4 cm What’s Inside? Planning Your Trip . . . 2 Everglades National Park . . . 6 Park Activities . . . 2 Dry Tortugas National Park . . . 7 Safety in the Parks . . . 3 Mail Order Publications . . . 7 Big Cypress National Preserve . . . 4 Parks Map . . . Back Cover Biscayne National Park . . . 5 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park 40001 State Road 9336 Homestead, Florida 33034 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Planning your trip Frequently Asked Questions The National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, was established in 1916 to manage a growing system of national parks. Today, the National Park System consists of over 390 units. National Parks, National Preserves, Seashores, Monuments, Historic Sites, Lakeshores, Battlefields, and others make up a great repository of national treasures entrusted to the National Park Service. In South Florida, nearly 2.5 million acres of pineland, prairie, tropical hardwoods, mangrove forests, estuaries and coral reefs are preserved for this and future generations. Their scientific, recreational, aesthetic and educational values are limitless. Experience Your America National Parks of South Florida Trip Planner is published as a service to park visitors through a generous donation by the Everglades Association. Are there entrance fees? No entrance fees are charged at Big Cypress National Preserve or Biscayne National Park. For cars, vans, and motorhomes, Everglades National Park charges a $10.00 fee at the Homestead and Shark Valley Entrances. Fees vary for buses (call 305-242-7700 for details). Bicyclists and people on foot pay $

World Heritage Sites in the United States Governor’s House, La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historical Site Red-footed booby, Papahaˉnaumokuaˉ kea Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone National Park © HARVEY BARRISON © KRIS KRUG JEFF SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY 2 Kluane /  Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay /  Tatshenshini-Alsek 1 Statue of Liberty Grand Canyon National Park © MICHAEL BELL PIXABAY/SKEEZE © MICHAEL LOYD Olympic National Park 3 WA SH I N GTO N - 19 81 Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park vii • ix vii • viii • ix • x A L A SK A (US), C A N A DA - 1979 Features temperate rainforest, glaciers, peaks, alpine meadows, old-growth forest, and wilderness coastline. Critical habitat for endangered species including northern spotted owl and bull trout. www.nps.gov/olym Over 24 million acres of wild lands and waters are changed by glaciers and volcanic activity. www.nps.gov/glba, www.nps.gov/wrst www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/yt/kluane www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore vii • ix © MIKE CRISS Montana (US), Canada - 1995 World’s first international peace park. Rich biodiversity and outstanding scenery with prairie, forest, alpine, and glacial features. www.nps.gov/glac www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/waterton/ Grinnell Point © MIKE KOCH Old Faithful © MARK STEVENS 23 © STEVE BOND Yellowstone National Park vii • viii • ix • x Renowned for geothermal features, Yellowstone has the world’s largest concentration of geysers. Protects grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. www.nps.gov/yell iii • iv I L L I N O I S - 19 82 With over 1,100 properties, the World Heritage List This urban complex flourished 1000– 1350 CE (Common Era). Regional center for prehistoric Mississippian culture. www.cahokiamounds.org shows a shared global commitment to preserve the world’s most important natural and cultural sites. Monks Mound Learn more about the World Heritage sites in the 22 4 Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Preserved for All Humanity W YO M I N G, M O N TA N A , I DA H O - 1978 © JIM WARK/AIRPHOTO United States, described here with selection criteria Redwood National and State Parks This gift from France to the United States is a symbol of international friendship, peace, progress, freedom, democracy, and human migration. Renowned for art and engineering. www.nps.gov/stli World Heritage Sites in the United States can be pur- Coastal mountain home to California brown pelicans, sea lions, bald eagles, and ancient redwood forest—the world’s tallest trees. www.nps.gov/redw i • vi N E W YO R K - 19 8 4 scription year, and websites. The Passport booklet C A L I F O R N I A - 19 8 0 Statue of Liberty 5 in Roman numerals (details other side), location, in- vii • ix Black bear, Great Smoky Mountains National Park chased at www.eparks.com. For more on the World Pixabay Heritage List: whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/us. © AMY HUDECHEK Natural Papahaˉnaumokuaˉkea iii • vi • viii • ix • x Cultural Mixed 21 6 H AWA I I - 2010 Independence Hall This vast living “cultural seascape” embodies kinship of people to place in Native Hawaiian cosmology. Includes seamounts, endemic species, critical habitats, and coral reefs. www.papahanaumokuakea.gov vi P EN N S Y LVA N I A - 1979 An international symbol of freedom and democracy, this 18th-century building is where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were created and signed. www.nps.gov/inde Greg McFall / NOAA 20 Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park © TODD LANDRY viii H AWA I I - 19 87 Earth’s greatest mass of volcanoes, including Mauna Loa and Kilauea, tower over a “hotspot” in the mantle. Continuous geologic activity builds an ever changing landscape home to rare and endemic species. www.nps.gov/havo 21 7 PACIFIC OCEAN 0 Hawaii Everglades National Park viii • ix • x 20 F LO R I DA - 1979 800 Kilometers 0 800 Miles North America’s largest subtropical wilderness has several vital habitats for plants and animals including Florida panthers and manatees. Key area for bird migration and breeding. www.nps.gov/ever NPS Yosemite National Park 19 vii • viii © CARLTON WARD JR. C A L I F O R N I A - 19 8 4 Glacial erosion helped sculpt this scenic landscape. Soaring granite cliffs, polished domes, high waterfalls, sequoia groves, wilderness, deep-cut valleys, and alpine meadow habitats. www.nps.gov/yose 18 Chaco Culture iii Castillo San Felipe del Morro N E W M E X I CO - 19 87 © ANGEL LOPEZ Prehistoric, monumental masonry structures in Chaco Canyon, along with a network of roads and outlier sites like Aztec Ruins, exhibit the vast influence of the ancestral Puebloan culture on the Southwestern landscape. www.nps.gov/azru, www.nps.gov/chcu © JOCELYN PANTALEON HIDALGO The 20th-century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site vi © OJEFFREY PHOTOGRAPHY P U ERTO R I CO - 19 8 3 ii Strategic defensive structures represent early European military architecture, e