Edible & Medicinal Plant Hike
Join Amanda Adams, local forager and Florida Master Naturalist, at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center to learn about the wild edible and medicinal plants that surround us every day in SWFL. We will hike for approximately 2 miles or so at a very slow, leisurely pace talking about lots of plants along the way. We will not be actively harvesting any plant material on this hike as all plants, animals, and fungi on this property are protected. This hike is for educational purposes only. Registration is limited, secure your spot today!
6th Annual SWFAEP Fossil Hunt
Join us for the 6th Annual SWFAEP Fossil Hunt with Dig the Past on the Peace River!
4th Annual Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament
The 4th Annual Inshore Slam dates have been secured!
Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Certification Training
The SWFAEP board has teamed up with Conservation Collier and Wildlands Conservation to host the 2026 Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Certification Training!
Please join us for an in-person training event at the Railhead Scrub Preserve for some hands on experience. The classroom location is online and links will be sent out prior to the event.
Scan this QR code or click the link in bio for registration information and dates.
FAEP Members will receive a 10% discount on this course! (That’s up to $300 off)
FAEP + SW Chapter Membership is $75 for the year.
Email SWFAEP-MEMBERSHIP@swfaep.org or head to our website to join SWFAEP!
Current members, email SWFAEP-MEMBERSHIP@swfaep.org for your discount code! 💵
62-340 Training with Travis Richardson
62-340 Training with Travis Richardson and Company!
Join the SWFAEP for a comprehensive wetland training and earn CEUs!
Classroom Presentations (Zoom Meeting) (November 7, 2025)
08:30 – 10:30 Chapter 62-340 F.A.C.
•Intent and Definition
•A, B, C, D, and Altered Sites Tests
•Vegetative Stratum and Vegetative Index
•Wetland Hydrology and Surface Waters
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 11:45 Resources
•Wetland Delineation Manual
•UF Aerial Imagery Library
•Official Soil Series Descriptions
•Digital Elevation Models
11:45 – 12:00 Break (grab your lunch)
12:00 – 13:00 Introduction to Soils and Hydric Soils
13:00 – 13:30 Field Location/Meeting Time/etc.
2-Day Field Training (November 13-14, 2025)
T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve
Day 1 Field Exercises
08:30 – 10:30 Hydric Soils Identification / Plant ID and ecological association
10:30 – 12:30 Approach to Delineation / Plant ID and ecological association
12:30 – 1:00 LUNCH (Provided by SWFAEP)
1:00 – 4:30 Delineate, Document, and Defend
4:30 – 5:00 Q & A
Day 2 Field Exercises
08:30 – 12:00 Field Exercises: Delineation and Defense
12:00 – 12:30 LUNCH (Provided by SWFAEP)
12:30 – 4:30 Field Exercises: Delineation and Defense
4:30 – 5:00 Q & A
3rd Annual SWFL Slam Fishing Tournament
SWFAEP is proud to announce we will be hosting our 3rd Annual SWFAEP Fishing Tournament and Fundraiser!
Six Mile Cypress Slough Wet Walk
Six Mile Cypress Slough
Wet Walk
Southwest Florida Association of Environmental Professionals
Sunday September 14 @ 9:00 AM
7751 Penzance Blvd
SWFAEP Board Member and Environmental Professional
Laura Gibson will lead a small group through the waters
of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.
Pack a lunch & join the group after the walk!
Free Event. Parking: $5
Note: Participants must be 12 years or older.
UMAM - Wetland Functional Assessments Workshop
Date: Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25, 2024
Location: Sarasota, FL
Join us at Nathan Benderson Park as the Southwest Chapter of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals hosts an in-depth workshop on the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) led by Matthew Miller, Director of Environmental Services at WRA Engineering and Vice Chair of the Society of Wetland Scientists – South Atlantic Chapter.
Workshop Highlights:
Understanding Wetlands: Definitions, types, and importance
Wetland Regulations: Key laws and policies
Functional Assessments: Methods and applications
The UMAM: Intent, scope, and practical application
Mitigation Strategies: Preservation, enhancement, creation, and restoration
Real-world Examples: Interactive case studies and field assignments
About the Instructor: Matthew Miller is a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) with extensive experience in environmental services and wetland science. As the Director of Environmental Services at WRA Engineering, he specializes in wetland delineations, functional assessments, and mitigation strategies. Matthew has led numerous successful projects across Florida, contributing significantly to wetland conservation and environmental protection.
Why Attend?
Enhance your knowledge of wetland functions and regulatory requirements
Learn practical skills for assessing and mitigating wetland impacts
Network with fellow professionals in the field of wetland science
Earn continuing education credits
Register Now!
Member Registration: $350
Non-Member Registration: $450 (includes 1-year membership to SWFAEP)
Student Registration: $100
Lunch is included. Transportation to field sites is the responsibility of the attendees.
2nd Annual Fishing Tournament
Who
Open to the public
Land based fisherman, kayak/paddleboarders, & boaters (4 person max)
What
Target Species: Snook, Redfish, and Trout
Greatest combined length of all three species wins
When
Captain's Meeting: October 4, 2024 doors open @ 6:00 p.m.
Lines in the Water: October 5, 2024 Sunrise to Sunset
Awards Dinner: October 6, 2024 - doors open @ 4:30 p.m.
Where
SWFL: South of Boca Grande Pass & North of Gordon's Pass
Captain's Dinner & Awards Dinner held at The Alderman House by Mizner in Downtown Fort Myers
4th Annual Fossil Hunting Expediton
Join us and discover your own piece of history– one that you can actually hold in your hand! Unlike a fishing trip, you’ll always come home with something- these day trips are safe, fun and educational. Experience genuine Florida eco-tourism.
Paddle Event with Tarpon Bay Explorers
Come join us at Tarpon Bay Explorers as we paddle the Commodore Creek Trail in J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge! A 10% discount on rental equipment will be offered to those in our group. Paddlers are welcome to bring their own rides, but a small launch fee will be applied. Please see the flier for how to RSVP as limited space is available.
Membership Appreciation Day
As a thank you to our members for their continued support, the SWFAEP Board of Directors will be hosting Membership Appreciation Day on June 24th at Koreshan State Park. Admission will be free to current SWFAEP members and lunch will be provided. Feel free to bring a kayak or rent one from the park. RSVP with the link above with how many will be attending. We hope to see you there!
Lessons Learned from Ian & What is Ahead for the 2023 Hurricane Season
Allyson Rae has been the Chief Meteorologist at NBC2 since 2017. She graduated with honors from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology. She holds a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society. Originally from Pittsburgh, she is no stranger to SWFL - she worked at ABC7 here in Fort Myers prior to NBC2 and considers SWFL home (despite Hurricane Ian destroying her home). NBC2, combined with its sister station ABC7, were the only stations able to stay on air through Hurricane Ian to provide life saving information. They provided continuous coverage for 6 straight days before, during and after the storm.
CREW Flint Pen Strand - Sunset Walk & Earth Day Social
Join us for a sunset hike in celebration of Earth Day! We will meet for a guided tour led by CREW's Education Coordinator, Julie Motkowics.
SWFAEP Fishing Tournament
SWFAEP will be hosting it’s inaugural fishing tournament this fall! Please visit the event page for the most updated info and learn how you can be a sponsor!
Actual event times are tentative and will be updated closer to the event.
Baseball Social!
Conservation Night Baseball Social at Hammond Stadium.
Event registration link coming soon!
2nd Annual Fossil Hunting Expedition!
Join a professional guide, Fred Mazza, in exploring Florida's ancient past hidden in the beds of our rivers. You will learn to find and identify a variety of fossil material while wading in specially selected riverbeds in shallow waters on the Peace River near Wauchula, FL. Directions upon registration.
Southern Fresh Farms Social
Come join SWFAEP and other likeminded individuals to socialize and network!
Wilderness Advanced First Aid Training
Join us on a 4-day course that will cover basic first aid and CPR and moving into first aid for real time field situations. Classes will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Bowling Social
Join SWFAEP for an evening of bowling at "Lightning Strikes Bowl"
Starts at 7 PM.
$15 ticket gets you 3 games and shoe rental!
Please RSVP by Jan. 14th.
Advanced Hydric Soils Training - Afternoon Session
This is an advanced approach to delineating hydric soils in situ at the Rookery Bay Learning Center with Travis Richardson. It is recommended that attendees attend the beginners training or have a strong foundation in hydric soil indicators prior to signing up for this class.
Advanced Hydric Soils Training - Morning Session
This is an advanced approach to delineating hydric soils in situ at the Rookery Bay Learning Center with Travis Richardson. It is recommended that attendees attend the beginners training or have a strong foundation in hydric soil indicators prior to signing up for this class.
Beginner Hydric Soils Training - Afternoon Session
Introduction to Hydric Soils with Travis Richardson! This hands on field trainnig will provide an introduction to delineating hydric soils in situ in Wild Turkey Strand Preserve.
Beginner Hydric Soils Training - Morning Session
Introduction to Hydric Soils with Travis Richardson! This hands on field trainnig will provide an introduction to delineating hydric soils in situ in Wild Turkey Strand Preserve.
Nature Knowledge - Large Invasive Reptiles in Florida
Presented by UF/IFAS Croc Docs
This month, Paul Evans, M.S., Outreach Coordinator with the IFAS Croc Docs, located at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, will join us to discuss how to identify and report large invasive lizards and snakes in Florida. Did you know there are more species of non-native reptiles reproducing in Florida than native species? Learn more about their threat and how to report sightings in Florida. Nature Knowledge is a speaker series hosted by Dr. Shelly Johnson to share current scientific knowledge on topics affecting nature in Florida, supported by UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension.
Please register for the event with UF/IFAS.
H2Whoa! 5k
The Southwest Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (SWFAEP) is hosting our first annual family friendly 5k run at Lakes Park at 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908 on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Proceeds will go toward a scholarship opportunity for Florida Gulf Coast University students researching water quality. Please sign-up and share with friends to help support this cause. One ticket is $40 for all ages, but group pricing is available for groups of 4 or more, each ticket is only $30.
Check-in starts at 7:45 at shelter D-1 at Lakes Park
Race Starts promptly at 8:30
Awards Presented at 9:30