Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed of Florida
As a resident of SWFL for decades I’ve always heard of C.R.E.W. but never visited it. Finally, during a tour with Leadership Bonita I was able to visit and discover what it was about. This is certainly the abbreviated version and a means for you to find the website and visit the CREW. trails yourself. I can share that I certainly waited too long. So what is CREW?
The CREW Land and Water Trust is a private, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the water resources and natural communities in and around the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW). We do that by coordinating the land acquisition, land management, and public use of this 60,000-acre watershed in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. CREW is the largest intact watershed in southwest Florida, straddling Lee and Collier Counties. CREW’s majestic 5,000-acre sawgrass marsh is the headwaters for the entire watershed which includes the National Audubon Society’s famous Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary directly to the south.
In addition to what CREW does for our precious water supply, there over five thousand acres of sawgrass marsh with five miles of walking trails and boardwalks that go through wetlands, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, a pop ash slough. A variety of the flowers that can easily be found on a walk through the CREW trails is in the photos for you to review. There are also a variety of birds in the area that can be seen and heard. Nesting red shoulder hawks were on the edge of one trail we followed.
The best part of visiting the CREW trails is that they are free, open seven days per week from sun up to sundown. The CREW trails are great if you’re looking for Things To Do with kids or just things to do in Bonita Springs or Estero. It’s a short drive and free and free is for me! Click the map for directions.
To learn more about CREW visit their official website: www.crewtrust.org questions about crew can be directed to crewtrust@earthlink.net or 239-657-2253.
CREW Land & Water Trust
23998 Corkscrew Road
Estero, Florida 33928
239-657-2253