Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Audubon of Florida) supports an active research program focusing on numerous ecological and natural resource management-oriented issues throughout Southwest Florida. The Sanctuary provides an idea location for research as natural conditions are pristine and land use is not changing rapidly. Additionally, close proximity to Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, numerous state parks, and other protected federal, state, and county lands allows excellent research opportunities.

Current efforts focus primarily on better understanding the ecology of Southwest Florida cypress forests -- how hydrology affects aquatic fauna communities and what conditions are ideal for wading bird foraging and nesting (especially endangered wood storks). All of our work is closely integrated with various Everglades restoration projects.

Our biologists are currently involved in projects collaborating with numerous universities (Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Florida, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Georgia), the National Park Service (Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park), and the U.S. Geological Survey, among others. We continue to contribute to peer-reviewed publications and are active a local, regional, and international meetings.

Current Projects Wood Stork nesting and prey base Big Cypress fish monitoring Forested wetland food-web Historic Data Wood Stork nesting (1958-2006) Hydrology Meet the Research Staff Jason Lauritsen, Shawn Liston, Dave Green, Nicole Katin	Photo Gallery Photos from the field and the lab (cookies must be enabled on your browser) Links South Florida Resources, Other Resources   Visit our blog to read daily accounts of our field research