Discover Corkscrew

2007-2008 Programs

 

Registration

General information

Registration

 

Adult Programs

Guided Walks ~ Early Birds Walks ~ Day Walks ~ Sunset Strolls ~ Night Walks

Unique Experiences ~ Bird Banding ~ Wildflowers of Corkscrew ~ Digital Photo Repair/Enhancement II ~ Astronomy: Deep Sky ~ Florida Master Naturalist Program

 

Adult Programs

Walks

Early Bird Walks

Experience the sights and sounds of the awakening swamp with a naturalist guiding you on the boardwalk to look for the early birds. Learn about the birds' life habits and the importance to these birds of the upland and freshwater wetland habitats that occur at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Day Walks

Join a naturalist for a guided walk on the boardwalk. You are welcome to explore the boardwalk on your own after the program. The size of the group is limited and reservations are required. Please meet the guide behind the admissions desk inside the Blair Audubon Center.

Sunset Strolls

This naturalist-guided walk leads you into the swamp as the day draws to a close. As twilight approaches, many creatures are winding down their days while nocturnal creatures are beginning theirs. Watch sunset from the observation tower, then listen to the changes in sounds as the day changes to night. Search for nocturnal creatures on the way back to the visitor center.

Night Walks

One of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary's most popular and memorable experiences, this guided tour sneaks you in after hours when the swamp is dark and the nocturnal animals are out and vocal.

 

Unique Experiences

Bird Banding

Birding enthusiasts will not forget this opportunity to observe birds up close. Learn about bird banding, information gathered through banding programs, bird adaptations, and challenges that both resident and migratory birds face while assisting ornithologists Dr. Jerry Jackson and Bette Jackson as they use mist nets to capture and band birds. Participants will help gather data and then release the birds unharmed.

Wildflowers of Corkscrew

Spring sparks a proliferation of bright, colorful blooms at Corkscrew. This walk helps participants learn to identify these spring beauties. Participants will also learn about each plant's own tale of natural history and folklore, which is often as colorful as its petals.

Digital Photo Repair and Enhancement, Level II

This intermediate course is for people learning to use Adobe Photoshop. Taught by nature photographer Rod Wiley, the course will include

1. A brief discussion on the basics, levels, curves, layers, etc.
2. Dealing with color casts on photos and the importance of a gray card
3. Repairs using the cloning, healing, and patch tools, replacing backgrounds
4. Monitor calibration tools; getting prints to match what you see on the monitor
5. What is the best color space to be working in: sRGB or Adobe 1998?
6. The use of custom printer profiles, and where to get them
7. Using the batch command
8. Building an action as well as downloading and using actions.

Participants are encouraged to bring problem photos on CD and if time permits, we will work on them.

Astronomy: Deep Sky

Join the experts from the Everglades Astronomical Society and explore the dark skies of Corkscrew Swamp using specially designed telescopes. You will observe not only the planets and constellations, but also the deep sky including nebula, neighboring galaxies, and other celestial bodies.

Three separate classes are offered.

Florida Master Naturalist Program

These unique courses are designed to educate and prepare participants to share information about Florida's freshwater wetland and upland habitats and wildlife. FMNP training benefits those interested in learning more about Florida's environment, seeking educational contact hours, or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, and ecotourism guides.

Offered in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS), the course consists of classroom instruction, field trips, and practical experience in interpretation. Participants receive 40 hours of instruction in each module, a comprehensive reference workbook, and upon completion, a certificate, patch and pin recognizing their accomplishments in the module(s). Their names are placed in the UF-IFAS database as a Florida Master Wetlands Naturalist and/or Florida Master Uplands Naturalist.

Florida Freshwater Wetlands Module

This module is offered once during the year at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The module meets six times.

Florida Uplands Module

This module is offered once during the year at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The module meets six times.

Registration is NOT available through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The $200 cost of each module must be paid by credit card, and registration is conducted on-line at www.master naturalist.org. Registration closes two weeks prior to the start date.

Class size is limited. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.