CAU > Seminars and Study Tours > The Natural History of South Florida: Habitats of the Everglades and the Keys

The Natural History of South Florida: Habitats of the Everglades and the Keys

February 20-25, 2010

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In a small section of south Florida lie the only tropical habitats in the continental United States. Subject to intense development pressure, they survive only in several protected sites. In them, we'll observe tropical hardwood hammocks, mangroves, coral reefs, coastal prairie, sawgrass slough, and pine rockland, all in the span of five days and within an easy drive from our lovely hotel on Key Largo, itself set in twelve-plus acres of hardwood hammock and mangroves leading to its private white-sand beach.

Our fearless captains on this trip will be Charlie Smith, teacher and researcher in Cornell's Department of Natural Resources, former director of the Lab of Ornithology, and avid photographer and butterfly watcher, and Bob Budliger, retired chief naturalist for New York State and a native Floridian. Under their guidance, we will compare the plants and animals—from tree snails to fish, birds, and mammals—of these different habitats, and we'll check on the progress and setbacks of the Everglades restoration project, which Charlie and Bob talked about on an earlier trip. Native Americans, pioneers, and snow birds, as well as railroad and land development interests, have all affected this fragile area—which includes the Everglades' extremely delicate "Sea of Grass"—and forces such as hurricanes continue to compromise the land and water crucial to these habitats.

Double occupancy:	$2,995
Single supplement:	$550
Fitness scale:	Slightly strenuous. May require extended walking over uneven ground as well as the ability to climb stairs and to stand for considerable periods of time.

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