NAPLES, Fla. - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has announced the schedule of events for its World Wetlands Day festival to be held on February 1 and 2.

Visitors will enjoy immersion into Corkscrew’s forest, marshes, uplands and wetlands with a schedule of up to five guided walks per day, special interest explorations of birds and plants, demonstrations and displays of wildlife behaviors, kids activities from scavenger hunts to crafts, live music, and literature and poetry performances and discussions.

Audubon environmental scientists and educators will host conversations on subjects such as “Without wetlands, there will be no water,” “Panther Island success story: restoration and mitigation," and “Understanding the Everglades with Florida Audubon.” Children’s activities include dip netting, readings of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, and nature crafts.

Friday, February 1st

9-10:30 a.m. Naturalist-Guided tour

10-11:30 a.m. Birds of the Boardwalk guided tour

10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Owls of Florida display and demonstrations

Learn about the amazing adaptations and behaviors of the beautiful owls of Florida and the rolethey play in the Corkscrew ecosystem.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Naturalist-Guided tour

1-2:30 p.m. Naturalist-Guided tour

2-3 p.m. “The Nature of Florida…and Beyond.” A presentation of poems, essays, stories and more by writers Karla Linn Merrifield and CatherineUnderhill Fitzpatrick.

2-4 p.m. Cindy Hackney and Laura Leary, acoustic folk, Blair Audubon Center (back porch)

Saturday, February 2nd

8 a.m. until 2 p.m. “Critters of Lettuce Lake” Aquarium Display, boardwalk learning station

9-10:30 a.m. Naturalist-Guided tour

9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Nature crafts for kid of all ages, Blair Audubon Center

10 a.m. Reading of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Blair Audubon Center

10 a.m. Cindy Hackney, acoustic folk, Blair Audubon Center

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. “Amazing Alligators” display, boardwalk learning station

10 -11 a.m. “The Nature of Florida… and Beyond.”

A presentation of poems, essays, stories and more by writers Karla Linn Merrifield and Catherine Underhill Fitzpatrick.

10-11:30 a.m. - Birds of the Boardwalk guided tour

10-11:30 a.m. Nature Photography guided boardwalk class with Christine Cook

10-11:30 a.m. Flora of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary guided tour

10:30 a.m. – 12 noon Understanding the Everglades with Audubon Florida

Dr. Shawn Liston, research manager for Audubon Florida’s SW region, will explain how Audubon scientists use key wading bird species to measures the health of the Greater Everglades.

11 a.m. Old Time Jazz, Blair Audubon Center

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Naturalist-Guided tour

12-1:30 p.m. Wetlands of International Importance: The Ramsar Convention

The former chair of the U.S. National Ramsar Committee, Royal C. Gardner, a wetlands expert and Stetson University law professor, is the event’s keynote speaker. Professor Gardner is the author of Lawyers, Swamps, and Money, which explores the importance of American wetlands, the threats they face and the laws that protect them. He will be on hand to sign purchased copies of his book.

12 -2 p.m. Kids only! Dip Netting with Mr. Bob. Ok, adults can join too!

1 p.m. Paradise Brass Quintet- Classical Mix, Blair Audubon Center

1-2:30 p.m. Naturalist-Guided tour

1:30- 3 p.m. Panther Island Success Story: Restoration and Mitigation

Allyson Webb, land manager, will share methods of mitigation banking and restoration strategies. The lecture will pair science and policy issues with anecdotal stories about the plethora of wildlife species she encounters daily.

2-3:30 p.m. Nature Photography guided boardwalk class with Christine Cook

3-4:30 p.m. Naturalist-Guided tour

3-4:30 p.m. Wood Storks and Wetlands of the Western Everglades

Sanctuary Director, Jason Lauritsen, will explore the decline of wood stork populations in South Florida, an important indicator species of wetland health. He will layout Audubon’s plans for recovery of Corkscrew’s wood storks and the Western Everglades.