In recognition Earth Month all April long, Gatorland®, “The Alligator Capital of the World,” Gatorland Global, and Conservation Florida are joining forces to highlight Florida’s rapidly disappearing wild landscapes and the urgent need to protect what remains. At Gatorland, visitors can step into one of those last remaining preserved environments through the park’s immersive Swamp Walk. This protected wetland ecosystem offers a rare glimpse of the wildlife and habitats that once thrived across much of the state.
First opened in 1978, Gatorland’s 2,000-foot scenic Swamp Walk boardwalk meanders through ecologically rich Florida wetlands. Today, it is also home to bobcats, snakes, otters, deer, and turtles — revealing what Florida’s wild habitats looked like before widespread development.
To honor this legacy and educate visitors, Gatorland has revamped signage throughout the Swamp Walk, incorporating information from Conservation Florida about the importance of protecting Florida’s natural landscapes and the critical role that swamps have in Florida’s ecosystems. The new Gatorland Global Swamp Walk signage explains how swamps protect us from storm surges, provide a home to wildlife, and even filter the water we drink. At Gatorland, you will take a walk through a real, untouched swamp and see what Florida used to look like, and learn also about the early conservationists who worked hard to make sure swamps were protected.
Conservation Florida is an accredited, nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to conserving the Sunshine State’s water, wildlife, wild places – the places that make Florida home. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has saved roughly 45,000 acres, serving all 67 counties in Florida, by prioritizing strategic and evidence-based land protection, education, and advocacy. Every $1 donation to Conservation Florida turns into $36 in wild Florida Saved.
“Florida’s wild spaces are vanishing fast, and our Swamp Walk is a living reminder of what we stand to lose,” said Mark McHugh, President & CEO of Gatorland. “Through this partnership with Conservation Florida, we want Gatorland visitors to not only experience Florida’s amazing animals up close but also understand the critical work being done to preserve these lands — and what they can do in their daily lives to help.”
Tips for everyday land conservation action include:
- Reducing personal footprint on natural spaces by following “Leave No Trace” principles.
- Educating friends and family about Florida’s endangered ecosystems.
- Participating in local clean-up and conservation volunteer opportunities.
- Respecting wildlife and natural habitats by observing from a distance and never feeding wild animals.
- Supporting conservation efforts by donating to organizations like Conservation Florida and Gatorland Global.
“Our Gatorland family will be spending Earth Day and Earth Month reflecting on the beauty of our park, how fortunate we are to experience Florida Wildlife up close every day, and how incredibly blessed we are to provide refuge and a beautiful home to so many Florida creatures,” added McHugh.
This Earth Month, Gatorland, Gatorland Global, and Conservation Florida invite guests to explore the Swamp Walk, witness Florida’s living history, and join the effort to protect the state’s remaining wild spaces for generations to come.
ABOUT GATORLAND GLOBAL: Gatorland Global, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was created in 2018 as a dedicated conservation program for Gatorland. Our mission is simple: protect, conserve, and educate. Every day, the Gatorland Global team works to protect alligators, crocodiles, and other native species in Florida and around the world through our targeted programs. Backed by Gatorland’s decades-long leadership in wildlife safety and education, the nonprofit works to inspire action and teach communities how to coexist with native species. For more about Gatorland Global, go to www.gatorlandglobal.org
ABOUT GATORLAND: Gatorland combines Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. Originally opened as a roadside attraction in 1949, the park celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2024. Today, the iconic 125-acre theme park and nature preserve provides affordably priced family fun featuring thousands of alligators and crocodiles, breeding marsh with observation tower, popular capybara encounter, a free-flight aviary, nature walk, petting zoo, educational wildlife programs, award-winning gift shop, Florida’s best train ride, Gator Gully Splash Park, on-site restaurant, and one-of-a-kind shows including Gator Jumparoo, Alligators-Legends of the Swamp, and Up-close Encounters. Popular adventure experiences include the Screamin’ Gator Zipline, Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, and the brand-new Croc Rock Three-In-One Adventure. For more about Gatorland, go to www.gatorland.com or call 800-393-JAWS.