Big Cypress National Preserve

national preserve, Florida, United States

Written by

Melissa Petruzzello

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Big Cypress National Preserve, protected area encompassing a large and ecologically diverse forest morass lying mainly in Collier county, southern Florida, U.S. Established in 1974, Big Cypress National Preserve covers some 1,139 square miles (2,950 square km) of the eastern half of the larger Big Cypress Swamp (which covers 2,400 square miles [6,200 square km] in total). It was created because of the importance of its watershed to the Everglades, particularly Everglades National Park at...