The Everglades Gathering
March 12 – 14, 2010
Registration for the March Gathering is closed. If you would like to be added tot he wait list, please email Laurie Berlin at lberlin@flahum.org.
Discover one of America’s most fascinating landscapes—and learn about its controversial history—at our upcoming cultural heritage tour of the Everglades. We’ll explore the area’s diverse ecosystem and its intriguing political and social past. Our home for the weekend will be Everglades City, a remote fishing outpost that is known as the Gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands.
Pre-Gathering
Option One: Nature Presentation and Guided Hike along the Boardwalk.
Park ranger Lisa Andrews provides an introduction to the wonders of the Big Cypress Swamp with visuals at the visitor center and then accompanies the group for an up-close look at the lush vegetation and abundant wildlife in the massive cypress strand.
This activity is less challenging and more accessible. Space is limited.
Presentation and Boardwalk Hike: $55 (Lunch included)
Option Two: Wetland Hike
Hike through the complex mosaic of the Fakahatchee Strand, which supports plant species not found anywhere else in the United States. Biologist Mike Owen will lead us off the trail, deep into this rich ecosystem, introducing us to rarely seen varieties of orchids, bromeliads, birds, and other wildlife.
Please note: this activity requires some physical exertion and includes wading through water. Space is limited.
Wetland Hike: $55 (Lunch included)
The Gathering
Friday Evening
We’ll kick off our weekend during a reception at the Seafood Depot, our meeting base for the weekend. Chow down on fried gator, conch fritters, and other local specialties while overlooking the water on the restaurant verandah.
Then we’ll move inside for dinner and an intriguing look into the political, environmental, and scientific history of the region with the “Everglades Czar,” Dr. Allison DeFoor, and Rae Ann Wessel, Natural Resource Policy Director, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. DeFoor will talk about the origins of Everglades preservation efforts as well as the recent attempts to put together the largest land restoration project in world history, which he spearheaded under Gov. Jeb Bush. Wessel will help us to understand the vast water system and bring us up-to-date on the results of recent restoration efforts.
Saturday
This morning we’ll get an early start to meet anthropologist Patsy West in preparation for a visit to the Miccosukee tribal lands with Lee Tiger, son of former Chief Buffalo Tiger. West will introduce us to the rich heritage of the Indians who made their home in the untamed environment of the Everglades. Then we travel by bus to meet Lee Tiger who will guide us by airboat to his father’s ancestral homeland and tell us about Miccosukee life in the Glades, then and now.
The famous Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe is our stop for a delicious and entertaining lunch. We then move on to explore the pioneer story of Chokoloskee with a visit to the famed Smallwood Store where we meet family members who still live on the island. These historical beginnings will serve as backdrop to a conversation with some of the local folks who continue to make their living from the land and sea.
A late afternoon cruise through the exotic Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades National Park will allow for some relaxation and enjoyment of the area’s natural beauty while learning about the unique history of this national wildlife refuge. Catch a glimpse of wildlife as they approach the boat. Capture some breathtaking photos!
This evening we dine at the historic Rod and Gun Club and enjoy an evening of Florida folk music and stories with Florida folk musicians Pete Gallagher and Pat Barmore. The area’s history of renegades, outlaws, and wild and beautiful landscapes make for terrific stories and even better songs.
Sunday Morning
Following our farewell breakfast on Sunday morning we will be joined in conversation by anthropologist and author Laura Ogden and Everglades Foundation Senior Scientist Tom Van Lent who will help us to examine the impressions and perceptions we have gleaned about this changing Florida landscape – the people, the land, the water, the future.
Lodging
Participants must reserve and pay for their own accommodations.
There are several options for lodging in Everglades City. Please make your reservations immediately, as this is a popular time of year for tourists in the Everglades and accommodations are limited. We do not make recommendations but the following establishments know of our weekend events.
Fee Schedule
All registration fees help support the public programs and services of the Florida Humanities Council.
Pre-Gathering
Pre-Gathering activities are optional add-ons to the Gathering weekend.
- Presentation and Boardwalk Hike: $55 (Includes lunch)
- Wetland Hike: $55 (Includes lunch)
The Gathering
Fee includes Friday-evening reception and dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sunday farewell breakfast; Bus transportation, Airboat tour, Ten Thousands Island boat tour, entry fees, and all scholars, guides, and presenters.
$325/person Current Florida Humanities Council members
$375/person Non-members (Fee includes one-year Florida Humanities Council Membership for all household members)
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be received in writing (by e-mail, fax, or mail). Cancellations received prior to January 1 (for the February trip) and February 1 (for the March trip) will be subject to a $50 processing fee. Cancellations received anytime during January for the February trip and during February for the March trip are subject to a cancellation fee of 25% of total registration costs. No refunds will be given after first of the month in which the trip is scheduled.
Registration
Space in The Gathering and the Pre-Gathering is limited. Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact Information
Laurie Berlin
(727) 873-2006
lberlin@flahum.org
Registration for the March Gathering is closed. If you would like to be added tot he wait list, please email Laurie Berlin at lberlin@flahum.org.
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