A wetland with wading birds and tall palm trees in the background.
Corkscrew

About Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary serves as a gateway to the Western Everglades ecosystem.
Wading birds foraging in a wetland at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Photo: Mike Fernandez/Audubon
1954
Year Established
13,000
Acres Protected
700
Acres of Old-Growth Bald Cypress Forest

Discover the rugged beauty of this natural area on the sanctuary's famous boardwalk—a 2.25-mile adventure through an enchanting wilderness and the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America.

Located about 30 minutes northeast of Naples, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is home to alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles. A wide variety of wading birds, songbirds, and raptors can be seen throughout the year, while the fabulous Painted Bunting is one of many winter visitors.

These wetlands filter water as it slowly flows across the land, refilling local aquifers, improving resilience against catastrophic wildfires, and improving water quality for the estuaries and beaches along the coastlines of Naples and Bonita Springs. 

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary was established in 1954. Learn more about our legacy in our 70th Anniversary Retrospective magazine.

Our mission is to preserve Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and support the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems throughout the Western Everglades. We use science-driven land management and education to protect birds, other wildlife, and people.

A large green leaf with a frog on it
Visit

The Blair Visitor Center offers exhibits, bird-friendly gardens, and access to our iconic 2.25-mile boardwalk. 

Visit Us!
Meet Our Leadership Team

Keith Laakkonen

Sanctuary Director

Shawn Clem, PhD

Director of Conservation

Gio D'Archiardi

Facilities Manager

Three wading birds and a turtle in a shallow wetland
Contact us!
Find ways to reach out to us here.
Contact us
Meet Our Sustainability Board

Keith Laakkonen

Sanctuary Director

Steve Nellis

Board Chair

Joe Ambrozy

Board Chair Emeritus

Dan Ault

Board Member

Deb Carrier

Board Member

Lois Kelley

Board Member

Gerry Manning

Board Member

Bruce McEver

Board Member

Brian Miller

Board Member

Sharon Stilwell

Board Member

Wading birds in a shallow wetland
A variety of wading birds take advantage of dropping water levels in spring to find a meal in the Lettuce Lake. Photo: Renee Wilson/Audubon Florida
Birds of the Sanctuary
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary provides habitat for more than 260 species of birds.
Explore Birds
Latest News
A bird in flight with something on its back
Special Snail Kite Spotted at the Sanctuary
April 30, 2025 — Bird recorded during Audubon's Christmas Bird Count was part of a tracking study.
FL Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Graphic showing map of the sanctuary buildings and boardwalk with shaded area for areas recently burned.
Prescribed Fire Update – Focus on the Future
March 07, 2024 — With the reintroduction of fire, these areas are now more resilient and defendable.
FL Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
An aerial view of sunflowers blooming at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Corkscrew Watershed Initiative Aims to Conserve Heart of the Western Everglades
December 05, 2023 — As development continues to rapidly advance in Southwest Florida, conservation of Western Everglades habitat is more important than ever—particularly in the 70,000-acre Corkscrew Watershed, home of the more than 13,000 acres of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
FL Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Aerial view of flooded wetland
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Receives Grant from the Collier Community Foundation
November 29, 2023 — The $30,000 grant will support efforts underway at the Western Everglades Research Center.
FL Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
An aerial view of the restored wetland at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Celebrates 1,000 Acres of Restoration
January 17, 2023 — We are grateful to our staff, partners, and donors who have made this milestone possible.
FL Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary