Invitation graphic for swamp water and me program with bold text, a splash graphic, and a small plant sprouting from a water pool.

Saturday, November 1 · 9am - 5pm EDT

Friends of Big Cypress invites you to a special day hosted by Clyde and Niki Butcher at their Big Cypress Gallery. Discover the wonders of the swamp with guided walks, engaging educational booths, and opportunities to meet Clyde in the gallery. Hear inspiring talks from Clyde, Preserve Rangers, biologists, and passionate volunteers, and enjoy delicious bites from the on-site food truck. This unforgettable event brings together art, nature, and conservation in a truly meaningful way.

Register and choose your adventure below! All proceeds support the Swamp Water And Me Program (learn more), providing environmental education for local 6th graders.

 

52388 Tamiami Trail East Ochopee, FL 34141
(Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery)

An elderly man with a white beard, wearing a straw hat and glasses, signs a photograph while talking to a young boy dressed as a Ghostbuster, in front of a black-and-white landscape photograph of a tree reflected in water.

Meet & Greet

FREE

Shallow Walk

$35-50 per person

Three people hiking through a flooded forest, with water up to their knees, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Classic Walk

$75 per person

VIP Experience

$250 per person

A day of discovery, nature, and community in Big Cypress. This free event invites you to explore Clyde and Niki Butcher’s beautiful gallery grounds, meet the Butcher family, and enjoy engaging educational booths hosted by Big Cypress National Preserve Rangers.

While admission is free, we ask that you please register and choose a morning or afternoon arrival time. This helps us ensure a great experience for all attendees.

FREE Meet & Greet

  • Meet Clyde and Niki Butcher 

  • Book Signing 

  • Self-guided tour on a paved accessible trail behind the gallery

  • Meet Rangers - educational stations

  • Food truck with convenient dining options available

A park ranger in uniform talking to a woman in a pink jacket at an outdoor exhibit with display boards about a national preserve, set in a wooded area.
An elderly man with a long white beard and hat is signing autographs at a table, while a woman with a child and a man hold children and look at his work in an art gallery with black and white photos on the walls.
A group of people, including children, gathered around a table with animal pelts and skulls in a forest, engaging in an educational wildlife presentation.

Shallow Walk

Adventure deep into the wilderness and experience a wide variety of ecosystems from prairies to cypress domes.

  • 45-minute guided swamp walk in shallow waters up to 3 ft deep

  • For youth walks, the guide focuses on engaging, age-appropriate interactions

  • Long pants and closed toed shoes recommended

  • Less strenuous than the deep walk

  • Includes access to the gallery and ranger activities

Three people, including a young girl, hiking through a swampy forest with tall ferns and trees, the girl holding a stick and wearing a pink cap, accompanied by two adults in hats and sunglasses carrying walking sticks.

Classic Walk

Adventure deep into the wilderness and experience a wide range of ecosystems from a swamp prairie to cypress domes.

  • 2-hour guided swamp walk through deep water up to 4.5 ft deep

  • Must be 48" or taller to participate (youth are welcome as long as they are tall enough)

  • Long pants and closed toed shoes recommended

  • Challenging walk with submerged obstacles and uneven footing

  • Includes access to the gallery and ranger activities

VIP Experience

Enjoy an elevated experience with exclusive access to Clyde Butcher’s private, air-conditioned Swamp Cottage. Take in sweeping views of Big Cypress, relax in comfort, and enjoy refreshments throughout the day. VIP tickets include all event activities, access to guided swamp walks, special gifts, and more.

  • Access to Clyde’s private Swamp Cottage

  • Warm hospitality from a Friends of Big Cypress team member

  • Refreshments, including non-alcoholic drinks and hors d’oeuvres

  • One swamp walk ticket (choose your preferred time when you arrive)

  • Friends of Big Cypress ball cap

  • A special gift from Clyde

  • Full access to all event booths, gallery exhibits, and activities