See You Later Alligator!

It’s hard to think that my 6 months here at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has come to an end. I have learned so much personally and professionally in my time here. When I first embarked on the 19 hour journey from my home in Indiana to Florida, I was pretty nervous. I have never driven that far by myself or lived in another state so far from home for that long. I can say now that I am much more confident in myself and abilities after this experience. 

On a swamp walk.

After graduating with my degree in Wildlife from Purdue University last May, I wasn’t really sure what direction to go in with such a broad major. My courses at Purdue covered many aspects of wildlife including biology, research, resource management, policy, and even forensics. My first job out of college was a field technician conducting research for an environmental consulting company. Many of my courses were research focused and I thought that's what my career would be, but I found that I didn’t like my job. Feeling lost, I began looking back on my past job experiences and involvement in different organizations and I saw that I often held some sort of leadership and/or educator role. I began to think that environmental education may be a better fit for me.

Learning to drive the swamp buggy.

This internship has provided me with the opportunity to explore and immerse myself in this field. I am truly grateful for Corkscrew and Audubon for showing me that I could make a career connecting my passion for the environment and love of people. I have learned that one of the most important ways to conserve and protect nature is through education. People will not care about something if they know nothing about it. Environmental education and outreach inspires people to take action: to donate, to volunteer, to teach, and to advocate for the natural world. 

Guiding a Girl Scout troop field trip.

All in all during my internship I have helped hundreds of children experience the sanctuary through our field trips and interacted with the public through swamp walks, guided boardwalk tours, swamp buggy rides, and after hours events. I have developed a great appreciation for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the Everglades, and Florida’s diverse ecosystems. I even had the opportunity to take the Florida Master Naturalist Upland Systems course taught at Corkscrew by Sally Stein, which further developed this appreciation for Florida’s natural systems.

Assisting the CSS Research team on a Wood Stork flight.

While my focus at Corkscrew has been
youth and public programming, the staff at Corkscrew helped me make the most of this learning experience as an intern and allowed me to assist with other departments. I was able to help the research department by participating in monthly bird surveys and a wood stork monitoring flight. I was trained by the resource management department in their prescribed fire practices and I also helped with invasive snail egg removal. By assisting and learning more about the other departments at Corkscrew, I was able to better educate the public about how all the staff work together conserve and protect this area of the Western Everglades. Resource management preserves and protects the wildlife that visitors come to see, visitors are informed by the education department and volunteers, the admission and nature store profits as well as donors fund the research and resource management operations, research supports management and policy decisions, and the facilities and administration team keep the place running. It has been amazing to see how all the different staff support this wonderful place that is Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

The best way to experience the swamp.

My departure will of course be bittersweet. I will miss the friends that I have made here and the beautiful sanctuary that has been my home, but I will be taking all that I have learned with me. I have accepted a position as an Interpretive Specialist with Turkey Run and Shades State Parks back in Indiana and I am thrilled to be continuing my journey as an environmental educator. I am also excited that my long distance engagement will be coming to an end. Wedding planning from afar and being away from my fiance has been hard, but I am very much looking forward to being together again and getting married at the end of June. I am happy to be returning to Indiana and seeing all my friends and family that I have missed, but I am equally happy to have gained many more friendships.

This internship has helped me to develop my career goals and define my place in the natural resources field. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and all the experiences I’ve had. Thank you to all the staff, interns, volunteers, and visitors that have made my time here so incredible. I am excited to see how Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary will change and grow in the coming years and I am sure that I will return to Corkscrew at some point in the future. So it’s not truly goodbye, it's just, as my supervisor Debbie Lotter and I like to say, “see ya later alligator!”

-Amy, Education Intern

One of my favorite views at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Apex Predators and the Natural Order

    THE APEX PREDATOR AND THE NATURAL ORDER

Resource Intern, Dana

What is an Apex Predator?

An Apex (or Keystone) predator is the predator at the top of the food chain that is not preyed upon by any other and has a relative low abundance population size compared to those below them in the food chain.

The job of the Apex predator is to control the population sizes of those beneath it on the food chain. Scientists call this order in the food chain the Trophic Structure. Top Down control specifically refers to the job of the apex predator in terms of keeping order in the trophic structure.

What happens when the Apex Predator is lost?

Loss of an Apex predator leads to the increase of mesopredators (predators controlled by the Apex). Due to this increase in population size, smaller game population sizes decline resulting in the collapsing of an ecosystem. The biological term for this effect is Trophic Cascading - when top predators abundance changes, the next predators abundance increases from the removal of predation.

The mesopredators do not become the next Apex predators and their effect on the environment is also economically devastating to humans as well.

Image 1: Ghost crab feeding on Turtle

One example of a trophic cascade was the removal of raccoons. Raccoons feed on ghost crabs as well as turtle eggs. To protect the turtle eggs human intervention removed the raccoons. In turn, the ghost crab population which fed mainly on turtle eggs increased due to this loss of the apex predator and there were even less turtle eggs.

Another side effect with the loss of Apex control is the increase in disease among the ecosystems and unfavorable genetics in the gene pools of previously controlled populations.

Are humans able to replace them?

No. Not only is is economically expensive, but it would be as effective as mowing the lawn in Florida's wet season. In natural ecosystems the appearance of the apex predator affects the physiology of mesopredators. This results in them being smaller and causing them to stay in their natural ranges.

Re-established Apex Predators

Image 2: Yellowstone Wolf

The most well known and successful reintroduced Apex predator was the Wolf at Yellowstone park. Diversity has returned to Yellowstone due to the return of the Apex predator.

Bear populations decreased which allowed cougars to be able to recolonize. Elk populations also decreased, allowing Bison to return to the park. With decreased Elk populations saplings were able to grow into new trees because fewer of them were eaten. The new growth of trees enabled beavers, important ecosystem engineers, to return to the park since their disappearance long ago shortly after the last wolf was poached.

Poaching Impacts on Apex Predators

Image 3: Tiger at Rehabilitation

 center

One example is the near extinction of the Amur Tiger. The Amur Tiger population in Russia was nearly exterminated in 1940 due to intensive poaching for "Medicinal" tiger parts. This was despite large tracts of it's natural habitat and a large enough density of prey.

Unfortunately, even if poachers target adults, high survival rates of the kittens and juveniles do not compensate for this mortality because tigers reproduce at an older age.

The Field of Conservation

A widespread view of conservation is to consider a species to be more important if its disappearance will have a larger effect on the abundance of others in the community - large enough that the disappearance could lead to secondary extinctions or other such disappearances.

In other words, important species can be defined as those being major interactors with many links to other species. These links can be direct or indirect interactions.

If our goal of conservationists is to conserve ecosystem structure and maintain a reliable supply of ecosystem services, then identifying Keystone Predators as an important species will be a very good long-term solution for managing diversity.

The Apex Predator of Corkscrew Swamp

Right here in our swamp we have the ultimate Keystone predator! The Apex predator of the Southeast wetlands is the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). The American Alligator controls the populations of both the land and the wetland area itself.

So next time you see an Alligator, let them know how awesome they are!

Image 4: American Alligators sunning themselves and 

smiling for the camera

Fish Slam-Vero Beach

The participants at the Spring 2019 USGS Fish Slam

On February 26th and 27th, a fellow intern and I got the incredible opportunity to participate in the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) springtime Fish Slam. This bi-annual event helps monitor new introductions and document range expansion of known non-native fishes (usgs.gov). The spring 2019 Fish Slam was hosted in Vero Beach, Florida and 35 scientists from federal and state agencies, universities, and other research institutions participated (veronews.com). It was an amazing experience that helped me make new connections among the fish world and taught me a bunch of new species of fish!

The nets we use to scoop up the stunned fish

On the first day of the event, I was on an electro-fishing boat, which is a regular boat equipped with giant electrodes that stun fish with electricity, with three other people: my fellow intern, a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) member, and a member of the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center. My group was located in Blue Cypress Lake. It is about 6500 acres of pure beauty. It was the perfect day for a boat ride and although we started slow, we ended up catching a cooler full of non-native fishes. This was a particularly good day because the FWC member taught my fellow intern and I a new skill: cast netting! Cast netting is essentially the art of catching fish with a net. It is a small mesh net that you throw across your body in the hopes of catching a good amount of fish. It was definitely a learning experience, which had some fumbles, but a successful one as we both ended up catching some fish!

Me, as I figure out how to work the cast net

Once we finished fishing for the day, we had to go "check-in" our cooler. This was a simple process of giving our data sheet, with our 5 different species of fish recorded, to the head biologist and laying out our fish for a photo shoot. One of the coolest things about this event was the attendance of a museum curator from the Florida Museum of Natural History located in Gainesville, Florida. The photo shoot was the curator's way of documenting all of our fish finds. After check-in, it was time for happy hour! We ate at American Icon Brewery which had great food, craft beer, and fun people. It was the perfect environment for networking and hearing about all the cool projects other researchers are working on.

Our catch from day two

On the second day of the event, I was on an electrofishing boat again, but with a different crew. This crew consisted of another FWC member, another member of the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, and a researcher from the University of Florida's Nature Coast Biological Station. Our location for this day was a canal with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) water control towers on each end. This is important because these control towers control the water flow into the canal which can have an effect on the types and numbers of fish found in the canal.

Me, holding two large Sailfin Catfish (Pterygoplichthys sp)

There were many native fishes in this canal and it was cool to see how the electricity affected those species compared to the non-native species. However, our target was non-native fishes and this day we caught some BIG fish. In particular, we were catching some large Sailfin Catfish (Pterygoplichthys sp) which was good because this species is found throughout central and south Florida in very high numbers (myfwc.com). So after spending the day on the canal it was time to head back to once again "check-in" our catch. We ended this day with 7 different species and won an award for the most species of the day.


Overall Fish Slam was an amazing experience that helped solidify my passion for freshwater fisheries. It also helped me hone my networking skills and meet new people in the fisheries field. I would happily attend this event again.

Me, holding a Tilapia (Oreochromis sp)

-Kendall, Conservation Intern


References:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/science/fish-slam-november-2018?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

http://veronews.com/2019/04/04/35-scientists-conduct-first-survey-of-invasive-fish-in-indian-river-county-waters/#.XKdPnir7z7A.mailto

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/freshwater/sailfin-catfish/

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Historical Timeline

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary celebrates its 65th year in 2019. I personally have always had an interest in the history of places and how they came to be. While doing a little research into Corkscrew's history, I decided to compile some of the major events that led to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary that we know today. I hope you enjoy this timeline and learning about our history!

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Historical Timeline

1900 Audubon member Frank M. Chapman launched the first Christmas Bird Count.

1901 State-level Audubon groups joined together in a loose national organization.

1905 National Audubon Society founded.

1905 National Audubon began protecting the wading birds nesting within Corkscrew Swamp.

1912-1917 Rhett Green protected Corkscrew colonies.

Camp of Rhett Green.

1913 Rhett Green begun serving as a guide for people like Thomas Gilbert Pearson, F.M. Phelps, Oscar E. Baynard and W. F. Blackman who were documenting the bird life found at Corkscrew.

1917 T.G. Pearson estimated that the Corkscrew old growth bald cypress forest supported 100,000 Wood Storks.

1918 President Wilson signed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

1944 Systematic logging of South Florida cypress forests started in Fakahatchee strand south of Corkscrew.

1954 Audubon buys the last great stand of bald cypress trees in Florida's Corkscrew Swamp. 5,680 acres were secured (640 acres were a gift from Lee-Tidewater Cypress Company) and the Corkscrew rookery became Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

1954 Florida Meeting Banquet. Watson B. Hastrip, Director and
Secretary, Lee Tidewater Cypress Company, and John H. Baker.

1955 Audubon warden Hank Bennett transferred to serve as Corkscrew's first manager.

Hank Bennett explores the Lettuce Lake. 

Photo: Allan D. Cruickshank.

1955 Sam, Bob, and Fletcher Whidden began construction of a boardwalk into the swamp.

1955 Collier Enterprises (now Collier Company) leased to the National Audubon Society, at $1 a year rental, 3,200 acres with the condition that the lessor shall donate the land to the society subject to the society’s purchasing that standing timber for a total of $25,000.

1956 Original boardwalk, totaling 5,600 feet, was completed.

1958 Monitoring of Wood Stork nesting and daily water levels began (still continues today).

1959 James Callaghan from the National Audubon Society builds 900 ft road from entrance of Sanctuary to boardwalk and gatehouse.

Gatehouse constructed by James Callaghan of National Audubon Society.
Photo: George Porter

1960 Immokalee and Sanctuary road construction completed providing improved access to the sanctuary.

1960 Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary officially open to the public. Admission charge was $1 and free to children under twelve.

1960 Boardwalk rebuilt.

Boardwalk Map 1960s.

1960 Hurricane Donna causes devastating damage to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and boardwalk repairs took place.

September 18th, 1960 after Hurricane Donna.
Photo: Donna N. Sprunt.

1962 Sanctuary Director house built.

1963-1966 National Audubon Society purchased the timber at the stated price and received a gift of 2,880 of the original 3,200 acres.

1963 Phil Owens hired full-time and eventually became the Director.

1964 U.S. Department of the Interior recognizes Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary as a Natural National Landmark.

Carl W. Buchheister, M. Stanley Josephs, Superintendent, 

Everglades National Park, on occasion of presentation of plaque

 on behalf of Department of Interior to Corkscrew establishing it as a

  “Registered Natural History Landmark.” March 23, 1965.

1965 Gulf American Land Corporation announced its plan to establish the Golden Gate Estates housing development. In partnership with the Ford Foundation the NAS purchased 2,640 acres adjacent to sanctuary’s southern border.

1968 Boardwalk extended into a loop.

Boardwalk Map 1970s.

1983 Ed Carlson becomes Sanctuary Director, serves until 2012.

1994 Living Machine wastewater treatment system built.

1996 Current boardwalk built.

Beginning of new boardwalk 1996. Photo: Clyde Butcher.

2000 Blair Audubon Center completed.

2007 Rare Ghost Orchid discovered at Corkscrew.

2009 Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

2010 Panther Island Mitigation Bank (2,778 acres) land transferred to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

2014 Landmark Cypress Tree project launched in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the rescue of the old growth cypress forest from logging.

2017 Hurricane Irma causes significant damage to the boardwalk.

2019 Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary recognized as a Wetland of Distinction by the Society of Wetland Scientists.

-Amy, Education Intern

References: National Audubon Society History, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary History