Over the past few years, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has hosted a group of students with Sharks and Service (SAS) at Nova Southeastern University for service learning. In 2018, they helped remove Phragmites, an invasive species, and last year, due to COVID, they participated in a virtual service event.

According to SAS Coordinator Mitchell Garrabrant, “We are looking to make a difference, and we understand how significant a place like Corkscrew holds in our protection of native and natural Florida.”

This is the first college volunteer group that has provided assistance to our land management team since the pandemic started. After orientation and safety training, seven students helped with common reed grass invasive treatment work and capped it off with a naturalist-guided boardwalk tour. Groups like this not only provide valuable assistance but also help us foster a stewardship ethic among young adults.