The stormwater treatment areas, owned and operated by the South Florida Water Management District, are vast, constructed wetlands that use vegetation to naturally cleanse excess nutrients from water before it enters the Everglades. These remote, shallow-water marshes attract many species of nesting wading birds, migratory and other water fowl such as great blue herons, wood storks, snowy egrets, great egrets and roseate spoonbills.

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Stormwater Treatment Area 1E Birding Tours

South Florida Water Management District
and Pine Jog Environmental Education Center

The South Florida Water Management District and Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, a unit within the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University are partnering to offer FREE birding tours of the Stormwater Treatment Areas.

The stormwater treatment areas, owned and operated by the South Florida Water Management District, are vast, constructed wetlands that use vegetation to naturally cleanse excess nutrients from water before it enters the Everglades. These remote, shallow water marshes attract many species of nesting wading birds, migratory and other water fowl such as great blue herons, wood storks, snowy egrets and roseate spoonbills.

 

Tours are open to anyone, but participants must register before the desired date to reserve a space on the trip.

 

To register for the tour or more information, contact Helen Beers via email or phone the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center at 561-686-6600.

The STA-1E birding trips are on the following dates from 8:00am to noon.

 

2008

  • January 05
  • January 19
  • February 02
  • February 16
  • March 01
  • March 15
  • April 12
  • April 26

Stormwater Treatment Area 5 Birding Tours

Tours are open to anyone, but participants must register to reserve a space on the trips. The STA-5 schedule follows the tour information and directions.

Tour Information

Reminders: Take sunscreen, water, snacks, hats and wear closed-toe shoes. Tour-participants must stay on the levee. There is no age minimum for the trips. Birders will now be allowed to drive around cell 1B in a one-way fashion. Carpooling is strongly advised to minimize the number of vehicles in the area. The caravan will be led by a Hendry-Glades Audubon Society member.

To sign up for the STA-5 Birding Tour: Send an e-mail to Margaret England with your name and contact information, the date you want to go, and the number in your party. You may also leave a message at (863) 517-0202. For general information, contact B. J. Kattel (561) 682-6640.

STA-5 Directions

Via Alligator Alley: STA-5 is south of Clewiston on the NW corner of Rotenberger WMA. From Miami: Get to Alligator Alley via your favorite route (e.g., Turnpike to I-75, Palmetto to I-75, I-95 to I-595 W to I-75). Go west to Government (Snake) Road at the Micosukee gas station. Take Government Road north to SR-832. Follow SR-832 west, north, and west to Blumberg Road. Take Blumberg, which quickly turns south, for about 9 miles to the STA-5 turnoff (dirt road). Go south for another 2 1/2 miles on the dirt road to the STA-5 entrance gate. Park before the gate in the area to the right.

Alternate route, US-27: From I-75, take US-27 north to South Bay. Contiue west on US 27 from South Bay toward Clewiston for about 13 1/2 miles. Look for Evercane Road (CR 832) and the J & J Ag. Products sign. Continue south on CR 832 for about 9 1/2 miles to Blumberg Rd (at the second bend in the road). Turn left onto Blumberg and continue another nine miles to the STA-5 turnoff (dirt road). Go south for 2 1/2 miles on the dirt road to the STA 5 entrance gate. Park before the gate in the area to the right.

Directions from Naples: From the Naples/Ft. Myers area, make your way to the town of Immokalee via SR29 or CR846. Once in the town of Immokalee, proceed east on CR846 watching for the "jog" in the road near the Immokalee Airport. Take CR846 east all the way to CR833. Make the very sharp right turn onto CR833 and continue driving east to CR835 as if going to Clewiston. It is signed. Turn east on CR835 and follow it all the way to Blumberg Rd. Watch for it across from the tall communication tower on a big curve in the road. Take Blumberg Rd. south for about 9 miles to the STA-5 turnoff (dirt road). Go south for another 2 1/2 miles on the dirt road to the STA-5 entrance gate. Park before the gate in the area to the right. We also have a map from Naples to STA-5 available.

2008 Schedule

  • May 17 ( Migratory Bird Count)
  • June 14
  • July 19
  • August 16
  • September 20 (North American Migration Count Teams)
  • October 18
  • November 15
  • November 29
  • December 13
  • December 27

2009 Schedule

  • January 3 (Christmas Bird Count: Teams)
  • January 17
  • January 31
  • February 14: Morning session (Great Backyard Count Weekend), plus Evening Photography Session
  • February 15 (Great Backyard Count Weekend)
  • February 16 (Great Backyard Count Weekend)
  • February 28
  • March 7
  • March 21
  • April 4
  • April 18
  • May 9
  • June 20
  • July 11
  • August 15
  • September 19
  • October 17