Big Cypress National Preserve is the United States first National Preserve. Much of the 720,000 acre National Preserve was originally intended to be a part of the Everglades National Park back when it was established in 1947. Unfortunately there were problems acquiring the land from its private owners so eventually that tract of the Everglades national Park was eventually scrapped.
Later in the 1960s a plan was unveiled to great the worlds largest airport in parts of what is now Big Cypress. Many locals joined with environmentalists, hunters and several Native American tribes to prevent the construction. Some of the locals and sportsmen were worried about access to Big Cypress if it was added to the Everglades National Park and so they came up with a compromise and the first US National Preserve was born.
Most of the Big Cypress habitat consists of fresh water cypress swamps. The preserve is the most biologically rich habitat in the Everglades Region. It is home to numerous species of bird, butterflies and dragonflies. It has a large population of American alligator. It also is home to nine federally listed endangered species including manatee, the Florida Panther, and the Florida sandhill crane subspecies.
4 comments:
So interesting and beautiful photos.
Hey there, you're in my corner of the world now! Isn't Big Cypress wonderful? Did you see a panther? We've been coming here for 5 winters now and have yet to see one. I'm not sure about the butterflies and dragonflies, but we have seen a lot of birds and the other animals you mention! (We live in Ft Myers, but visit Big Cypress/Everglades every year.)
Sounds like a good place to go wildlife watching. Some very impressive photos.
Oh gosh - three lovely shots indeed!
Post a Comment