Visiting CREW? For directions and information about the CREW Trails, click here.
Mission: The CREW Land & Water Trust is a private, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the water resources and natural communities in and around the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW).
We carry out our mission statement by helping advance the land acquisition, land management, and public use of this 70,000+ acre watershed in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District, which owns a significant amount of CREW and manages that land – including the CREW trail systems, and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, which monitors wildlife and hunting and provides law enforcement. Other partners include Conservation Collier and Lee County 20/20. Our mission also includes providing environmental and watershed education to all ages to cultivate future generations of CREW stakeholders and advocates.
CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed) is the largest intact watershed in Southwest Florida, straddling Lee and Collier Counties.
What does this unique watershed do for Southwest Florida?
- recharges the groundwater for our drinking water supply
- offers natural flood protection
- purifies water
- provides habitat for wildlife
- offers a beautiful space for public recreation
The CREW Trails are perfect places to visit year round. Each season brings dramatic changes to the plants and animals due to variations in water levels. Come see baby alligators and pine lilies blooming during the fall, hawks and flycatchers nesting in the spring, the graceful swallow-tailed kites in summer and the dramatic red maples in winter.
The CREW Land & Water Trust provides guided walks for the public, environmental education programs for all ages, special events for members, teacher workshops, presentations to community groups and more. We love to share the CREW story and help others understand the importance of protecting places like the CREW lands.
You can have an impact on this important natural resource by becoming a member, attending one of our seasonal hikes or programs or donating to help with land acquisition and provide environmental education opportunities for all ages. You can also help CREW by learning more about the watershed, how it affects drinking water and helps reduce flooding, and the home it provides for wildlife and plants – then pass that knowledge on to friends and family when they visit the trails.