CREW Wildlife and Environmental Area
Managed in cooperation with the South Florida Water Management District.
CREW WEA spans more than 28,000 acres of the 60,000+ acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) land acquisition project. CREW straddles Lee and Collier counties and provides natural flood protection, water filtration and vital aquifer recharge.
It is owned and maintained by the South Florida Water Management District and co-managed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These agencies, along with the non-profit CREW Land & Water Trust, partner to preserve and protect CREW.
Hunting
For information about regulations and hunting seasons on the area, see FWC's regulation summary brochure for CREW WEA.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted year-round but only from 2 hours before sunrise until 2 hours after sunset. A Florida fishing license is required and can be purchased at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Camping
Camping is allowed with a Special Use License from the South Florida Water Management District. For more information, visit the SFWMD web page for Special Use Licenses.
Recreation
Four trail systems provide over 30 miles of recreational opportunities: the CREW Marsh Trails, Cypress Dome Trails, Bird Rookery Swamp and Flint Pen Strand.
Recreational activities include hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Horseback riding is permitted on designated trails with a Special-Use License from the SFWMD. For more information, visit the SFWMD web page for Special Use Licenses.
For information about horseback riding, bicycling and other regulations on the area, see FWC's regulation summary brochure for CREW WEA.
Wildlife
With many distinctive natural communities—including marsh, cypress and maple swamp and oak hammock and pine flatwoods—CREW provides crucial habitat for many of Florida’s native wildlife, including alligators, wading birds, bald eagles, otters, swallow-tailed kite, and black bears.
Add your bird observations to these eBird hotspots:
More Information
To obtain a Special-Use License for horseback riding or camping, please visit the SFWMD web page for Special Use Licenses.
Visit the South Florida Water Management District web page for Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.
See also the CREW Land & Water Trust web page.
View FWC's regulation summary brochure for CREW WEA for an area map, hunting seasons, permits, rules about dogs, fees and area regulations.