Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center - Opening Celebration 2010

Big Cypress National Preserve and The South Florida National Parks Trust were host to an incredible event on March 20, 2010 in the heart of the Big Cypress Swamp.  A large group of folks came to celebrate the dreams, the hard work, the efforts, the partnerships, the arts and friendships in celebration of this building - one of a kind - Welcome Center in the Big Cypress Swamp.   Below are a collection of images from the event.

Pedro Ramos, Superintendent of Big Cypress National Preserve gives a welcome to the group of contributors inside the new media center.

Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Parks talks about the National Parks to the audience.

Carlos Arazoza, Chairman of the Board for South Florida National Parks Trust addresses the audience followed by the presentation of awards by Trust members Patrick White and Howard Isaacson.

Ribbon cutting at the entry of the Welcome Center.

Opening the doors - ready for visitors.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Commissioner Ron Bergeron talking to Don Frinefrock.

Speeches, more awards, recognition under the big tent and another ribbon cutting for the Welcome Center.

Presentation by Miccosukee Chairman Colley Billie

Presentation by Nathaniel Reed

Presentation by NPS Director Jon Jarvis

Ribbon Cutting in the big tent.

Before the events was great time to meet new and old friends.

Clyde Butcher, Jon Jarvis, Pedro Ramis, Elam Stoltzfus, Diana McGee

Carlos Arazoza and Don Frinefrock

Wayne Rassner

Elam Stoltzfus

Big Cypress National Preserve Welcome Center Grand Opening

Opening Celebration of the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center

March 20th, 2010

Big Cypress Swamp event at the von Liebig Art Center in Naples, Florida

On Thursday evening Jan 14th, the von Leibig Art Museum in Naples featured the Big Cypress Swamp event. They are hosting a series of events featuring Clyde Butcher's images and the theme of the Big Cypress Swamp: the Western Everglades. To kick off the events, Clyde and I did a presentation about how we met, the series of projects we created over the last 2 decades and the making of the Big Cypress Swamp project.

Clyde Butcher, Jack OBrien and Elam Stoltzfus

Don Frinefrock with the South Florida National Parks Trust giving the opening statements.  

Clyde and Elam sharing their stories about Big Cypress Swamp.

The Leroy Henehayo Osceola Family at the event.  It was a pleasure to have the family attend a local event in support of the arts, film and the Big Cypress Swamp.

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Earlier in the day I had stopped by the Big Cypress Gallery to chat with Clyde Butcher and while at the Gallery, Senator George LeMieux stopped by to visit with Clyde.  It was honor to meet the Senator representing Florida.

Clyde Butcher, Senator George LeMieux, Elam Stoltzfus and Rick Cruz.

Film Screening, Big Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglades

January 14 - Jan 14, 2010  -  from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

The von Liebig Art Center • 585 Park Street • Naples, FL 34102 • 239.262.6517

Big Cypress Swamp: Western Everglades is a 56-minute documentary that shares the history of the Western Everglades preservation and showcases Big Cypress as an ever evolving, complex ecosystem. The film showcases the stunning beauty of sawgrass and sunsets in the swamp, it highlights the wide variety of plants and wildlife, and includes stories of tireless efforts to preserve and manage the Big Cypress Swamp region. Viewers will be treated to rare and primeval sights and sounds of swamp expeditions through cypress strands by foot, air boat, swamp buggy and helicopter. In the background is the “music” of Big Cypress: an ever present orchestra of croaking frogs, wading birds, flowing water, and approaching thunderstorms.

Producer Elam Stoltzfus is a nationally acclaimed and award winning filmmaker. He is a master cinematographer whose projects capture the essence and glory of nature. In Big Cypress Swamp: Western Everglades Elam invited fine art photographer Clyde Butcher to host the project and capture Big Cypress Swamp through his large format camera lens. Butcher is a nationally renowned nature photographer who specializes in black and white images. The final touch in this stunning documentary is the narration by the golden voice of Peter Thomas who resides in Naples.

This film screening is open to the public for $50 per person, which includes a full-length version of the documentary on DVD. Clyde Butcher and Elam Stoltzfus will be available to autograph DVD’s and other related merchandise, available in the art center's gift shop, during the event. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a 30-minute wine and cheese reception. The film and lecture will begin at 6 p.m. and feature a 20-minute version of the film plus a presentation and Q&A session by Butcher and Stoltzfus. A share of the proceeds from the film screening, as well as a percentage of DVD and gift shop related sales, will benefit the South Florida National Parks Trust’s campaign to purchase permanent exhibits for the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center being built on U.S. 41 near State Road 29.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to visit the new Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center each year to learn about the Big Cypress, its wetlands and wildlife. The Big Cypress National Preserve is building the $2.2 million center on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) in Collier County. Construction began in late 2008 and is now nearly complete, but the project itself won’t be finished until the center’s exhibits are installed. The South Florida National Parks Trust-- 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports South Florida’s four national parks--is seeking to raise $250,000 in matching funds to purchase 19 permanent exhibits that will explain the Big Cypress, its history, hydrology and habitats to visitors. All gifts will be matched dollar for dollar by the Big Cypress National Preserve. This event is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, City Mattress, Gulfshore Life and Comcast.

Fakahatchee Discovery Series

Book online at www.friendsoffakahatchee.org or phone (239) 695-2905

Fakahatchee Discovery Series

Sponsored by the Friends of Fakahatchee Strand

THE SAFARI

Join us to explore nature and enjoy the wonders of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, home of the Ghost Orchid.

Saturday, February 27 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Copeland, Florida

Scenic Tram Rides

Naturalist-Guided Swamp Walks

Nature Walks at an Easy Level

Wildlife Exhibits

Demonstrations of Prescribed Burn

Florida Photo Gallery

Professional Photography Hands-On Class

Swamp Buggy Ride

Sunset Bonfire

 “Cracker Dinner”

spit-roasted whole hog unusual Olde Florida delicacies Complimentary Wine

Cost $125 per person. Annual membership in the Friends is included.

Places are limited!

Book online at www.friendsoffakahatchee.org or phone (239) 695-2905.

News Fur Feinschmecker about Paradise Coast, Florida

A featured article included in the News Fur Feinschmecker about Paradise Coast, Florida.  Der Dokumentationsfilm über die Western Everglades von Elam Stoltzfus bringt die prachtvolle Schönheit des Landstrichs ganz nah. Gezeigt wird der intensive Film im Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center, das 2010 bei Everglades City eröffnet wird  www.bigcypressswamp.org/bcs ).

Film wins Naples International Film Festival audience award

Good news -  the BIG CYPRESS SWAMP:  THE WESTERN EVERGLADES won the audience award at Naples International Film Festival!  It's a beautiful film that resonated with our audiences.  - -  Ellen Goldberg, NIFF Senior Program Director

www.naplesfilmfest.com

The documentary film was featured at the NIFF on November 7th & 8th to a full house.  Then was picked up by the featured line up for the Best in the Fest of NIFF at Sidney - Bernie Davis Art Center in downtown Ft. Myers on November 13th & 14th.

www.sbdac.com

Thank you to everyone who supported BCSWE and came out for the many great films at NIFF.

www.bigcypressswamp.org