Film -- Big Cypress National Preserve: The Western Everglades

Left - Right

Rick Cruz, Sammy Tedder, Elam Stoltzfus, Joe Browder, Clyde Butcher, Bob DeGross

For many years, Big Cypress National Preserve has needed a new film for their visitor center. The film that is now showing was made shortly after Big Cypress became a National Preserve in 1974! Thanks to the effort of Elam Stoltzfus of Live Oak Production Group, Bob DeGross of Big Cypress National Preserve, Friends of Big Cypress (who donated $20,000) and others, which can be found on Live Oaks website, a new film is now being made!

During the past 15 months, Live Oak Production Group - Elam Stoltzfus, has been filming the Big Cypress Swamp and Big Cypress National Preserve to create two films. One film will be an hour long PBS documentary on the Big Cypress Swamp and the second is a short film for the Oasis Visitor Center. For more information on the film check out Elam's website: www.liveoakproductiongroup.com

Some of our past blogs have been stories of joining Elam in filming. A few weeks ago we joined with him again while he interviewed Clyde and Joe Browder in the swamp. Joe was instrumental in creating a movement in the late sixties to stop the development of a major international airport project within the heart of South Florida, in what was to become Big Cypress National Preserve. During that time he was honored (?), along with Senator Bob Graham and Governor Chiles, with having a "Wanted Dead" poster plastered all over the 'glades by the opposing faction...the real estate speculators who owned property in Big Cypress. They hoped to profit if the airport were developed and Big Cypress were drained. They made death threats, and also distributed materials threatening to blow up buildings. Joe is filled with great stories (he should write a book!) and a lot of history regarding the entire Everglades ecosystem. The conservation movement in the sixties ultimately resulted in the creation of the Big Cypress National Preserve. We are forever in gratitude to his, and all those other folks, endurance as they fought the good fight so that we would have this beautiful piece of paradise left untouched.

Filming Joe as he makes his way through the watery grass of Big Cypress

Joe and Elam going over footage

Clyde enjoying a talk with Bob DeGross, Chief of Interpretation for
Big Cypress National Preserve

Clyde and Joe having a lively discussion while waiting for the film crew to set up

filming Clyde & Joe

Elam, Joe & Clyde in their favorite place...the swamp!

...and then the rest of the guys jumped in too!
Bob DeGross, Elam Stoltzfus, Joe Browder, Clyde Butcher, Rick Cruz, Sammy Tedder

Followed by a great lunch in Everglades City at Camilia Street Grill with a enticing desert of great conversation, stimulating concepts and solving the worlds problems!