Back in October 2010 Big Cypress National Preserve started a Backcountry Volunteer program. I signed up with a friend of mine. We went out to Oasis Visitor Center for a few days of training. Then on our first day out on backcountry patrol we went with a ranger. Now we sign up with another volunteer and you go on patrol together. You do a variety of different assignments from marking the trails, clearing the overgrown brush, picking up trash, educating visitor of the rules. I like being out in the everglades this is a great way to spend more time out there enjoying nature.