ZOO 2010 / EVR 1009
ZOOLOGY /ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
FIELD TRIP:
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
INFORMATION:
SITE
Everglades National Park is located in Miami-Dade County. There is no other park like it in the world. The park has several sections – we will be visiting the main area. There are many nature trails and two visitor centers. The two sites that we will visit contain excellent examples of all the major freshwater ecosystems.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Carpooling from BCC would be a good idea. From Broward County, go south on
I-75 to the turnpike extension. Take the turnpike south through Homestead
down to U.S. 1 (see the map on the back side of this sheet). When you exit
the turnpike, you will see a sign directing you to Everglades National Park.
You will be taking a right turn at the very first intersection after getting
off the turnpike. After going through Florida City, you will take a left when
you see the sign (see the second map on the back side of this sheet). Continue
until you reach the park. Try to reach the park at 8:00 AM. We will
meet at the visitor center and "group up" prior to entering the
park (if you arrive after 8:30, go straight to the Royal Palm area). Take
a few minutes to visit the museum at the visitor center. It is excellent.
We will enter the park at 8:25 AM. You will need a special letter to get into
the park without paying the normal entrance fee. Show it to the ranger at
the entrance station.
WHAT TO BRING
Bring shoes you don't mind getting a little wet. Bring insect repellent and
sun block - if it's warm there will be lots of mosquitoes. Bring binoculars
if you have them, something to write with, and books for identifying the animal
and plant life that you see. Bring drinks and snacks or lunch.
ACTIVITIES
The first area we will visit after passing the entrance station is called
is called Royal Palm. Go south on the main park road and turn left off the
main park road at the sign. The trail we will be taking there is Anhinga Trail. Before taking the trail (at about 9:05) we will meet at the benches at
one end of the visitor center. You will be given ID sheets of animals
and plants you are likely to see and a checklist. Record your sightings on
the sheet provided. If you have time, try the Gumbo Limbo trail that is next
to Anhinga Trail - it is a good example of a hardwood hammock. After a food
and drink break (meet back at the benches at 10:30) we will head to our second
stop, the pinelands trail. Go south on the main park road and turn right where
you see the sign. The trail starts in the center of the parking area - you
will see a small brown sign on the right marking the trailhead.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
On Anhinga Trail you should see lots of animals: water birds in particular.
You will also see reptiles such as alligators, turtles, and snakes, native
and exotic fish, insects, and other types of animals. You will see plant life
typical of slough and sawgrass areas. There are signs along the trail that
will help you identify some of the things you see. On the Pinelands trail,
you will see plants and animals typical of a slash pine forest, sawgrass prairie,
and hammock. The animals will be less obvious here: look and listen up in
the trees for birds and tree snails and look near the ground for other animals.
You may see deer in the grass areas. Past field trips have found panther tracks.
We may get lucky! Notice the difference in the plant life in the three areas
we will go through.
