The Everglades - The University of Iowa Alumni Association

Join us for a
7 - D AY A D V E N T U R E
FEB RUARY 20 – 26, 2 0 1 1
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Everglades
A 7 - D AY A D V E N T U R E I N A S U B T R O P I C A L PA R A D I S E
“Here are no lofty peaks seeing
the sky, no mighty glaciers or
rushing streams wearing away
the uplifted land. Here is land,
tranquil in its quiet beauty,
serving not as the source of
water, but as the receiver of it.
To its natural abundance we
owe the spectacular plant and
animal life that distinguishes
this place from all others in
our country.”
Why the Everg
5 reasons to visit them, 100s of reasons you’ll
--President Harry S. Truman
The Everglades
National Park
A BRIEF HISTORY
W
ith these words, President Harry
S. Truman dedicated Everglades
National Park on December 6, 1947,
some thirteen years after the federal act
mandating the preservation of this vast
subtropical wetland.
Soon after the dedication of the park,
however, the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project was formed to
build some 1,400 miles of canals, levees,
and other water control devices. Urban
areas began to grow exponentially during
this time, and water was increasingly diverted to the cities, with little thought of
the impact on the Everglade ecosystem.
Portions of the Everglades were drained
and turned into farmland, primarily for
sugarcane. It has only been in the last
thirty years or so that restoration projects
have been put into place in an attempt to
stop the degradation of the south Florida
landscape caused by the draining and
diversion of its waters and the destruction of its habitats. The significance of the
Everglades not just to the United States,
but to humanity as a whole, has been recognized by the international community
with its designation as an International
Biosphere Reserve (1976) and a UNESCO
World Heritage Site (1979).
1
An ecosystem like no
other in the world
Here you’ll learn about this extremely diverse system of cypress
swamps, hardwood hammocks,
strand swamps, sloughs, sawgrass
prairies, mangroves and numerous other small niche habitats
that support a tremendous variety
of life forms.
2
It’s a subtropical
paradise, right in
your own backyard.
You don’t need to travel to the
Serengeti to experience incredible wildlife. In the subtropical
paradise of South Florida, there
is an entire, sublime wilderness
waiting to be explored.
photos from left to right: roseate spoonbills, american alligator, mangrove roots, or
glades?
Call now to reserve.
Space is limited to just 24 guests.
(800) 469-2586
l never forget them
3
It’s a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
The significance of the Everglades to
the world and humanity was recognized
by its designation as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1979. Urban development is a continuing threat to this wildlife sanctuary. In 2007, Forbes added
the Everglades to its list of the World’s
Most Endangered Destinations.
4
You’ll learn something
new, every single day.
You’ll join a local archaeologist for
a close-up look at the famous shell
mounds left by the Calusa Indians,
help a biologist gather data for a
critical research project, and learn
about the importance of fire to the
Everglades ecology from a local environmentalist and former park ranger.
5
Not only the birds
are beautiful
After every exhilarating day, you
can come back to the comfort of
your all-suite hotel, a tranquil,
beautiful home base close to
the restaurants, beaches, and
upscale shopping in the lovely
heart of Old Naples.
rchid, sawgrass prairie, observation trail, wood stork, airboat, cypress tree, Bellasera Hotel (Naples), sugar-sand beach, kayaking Rookery Bay, purple gallinule
The University of Iowa Alumni Associations’s Iowa Voyagers present:
The Everglades
“There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, as they have always
been, one of the unique regions of the earth, remote, never wholly known.
Nothing anywhere else is like them: their vast glittering openness, wider
than the enormous visible round of the horizon, the racing free saltness and
sweetness of their massive winds, under the dazzling blue heights of space.”
-- From Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, River of Grass
Our 7-Day Itinerary
Day 2: Naples: Naples Botanical Garden
/ Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Day 4: Head out this morning to the newlyredesigned Naples Botanical Garden,
where you will get a behind-the-scenes look at a
gopher tortoise colony and learn about native and
invasive species, orchids, and ethnobotany. After a
picnic lunch and free time in the gardens, drive to
the legendary Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, known
for the alligators, wood storks, and other indigenous species that inhabit this soaring old-growth
cypress forest.
Rookery Bay: Calusa Archaeology and
Mangrove Kayaking
Day 3: Everglades National Park: Anhinga Trail /
Day 1: Arrive Naples (Ft Myers) / Sanibel Island:
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Day 2: Naples: Naples Botanical Garden / Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Day 3: Everglades National Park: Anhinga Trail /
Winery Tour
Day 5: Everglades National Park: Airboat Ride /
Big Cypress Gallery Walk
Day 6: Fakahatchee Strand Preserve: Swamp Walk
& Research Project
Day 7:
Depart Naples (Ft Myers)
Day 1: Arrive Naples (Ft Myers airport)
/ Sanibel Island: Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge
After a late-morning/early
afternoon arrival into Ft Myers,
transfer to your Naples hotel before heading to
lovely Sanibel Island and the Ding Darling National
Wildlife Refuge for a sunset cruise and a festive
welcome dinner.
Winery Tour
This morning drive to the eastern Everglades for a leisurely exploration of the
famous Anhinga Trail. An astonishing number of
species may be seen in this area during the dry
season, when the water level recedes elsewhere in
the park. In the early afternoon, head to Schnebly
Redland’s Winery for lunch and a tour of the lovely
facilities, where award-winning wines are produced from such diverse produce as kiwi, star fruit,
and avocados.
Day 4: Rookery Bay: Calusa Archaeology & Mangrove Kayaking
This morning, meet up with a local
archaeologist to investigate a
well-preserved Calusa Indian shell-mound site,
and learn more about this culturally complex
hunting-fishing-gathering society. After lunch,
Fort
Myers
Ding
Darling
Refuge
Corkscrew
Swamp
SOUTH
FLORIDA
Naples Botanical Garden
Naples
Big Cypress Reserve
Rookery
Bay
Fakahatchee
Strand
Preserve
Miami
Everglades
National Park
Anhinga Trail
kayak through leafy
green tunnels into the
secluded backwaters of
Rookery Bay, one of the few
remaining undisturbed mangrove
estuaries in North America. Join fellow
travelers for a farewell dinner at the hotel
this evening.
Day 5: Everglades National Park:
Airboat Ride / Big Cypress Gallery Walk
Start out early this morning for a thrilling
airboat ride deep into the Everglades
National Park. The sweeping sawgrass prairies of
this little-traveled area are dotted with old hunting
camps and hardwood hammocks, and inhabited by
alligators, egrets, kites, and purple gallinules. After
exploring the preserve, head to the Big Cypress
Gallery of world-famous Everglades photographer
Clyde Butcher, where you can enjoy lunch under the
cypress trees before a gallery walk and discussion.
Day 6: Fakahatchee Strand Preserve: Swamp Walk
& Research Project
Spend the day at Fakahatchee Strand
Preserve, where you will have a unique
opportunity to help the senior biolo-
gist and a local conservationist while they
gather data for a critical turtle research
project in the sloughs of this former
cypress logging camp. After lunch, wade
into a dark-water swamp in search of
“charismatic microflora” with wonderful
names like ladies’ tresses, ghost orchid,
and fuzzy-wuzzy air plant.
Day 7: Naples (Ft Myers airport) /Home
Transfer to the Ft. Myers airport
for flights home.
Call now to reserve.
Space is limited to just 24 guests.
(800) 469-2586
Feel the wind in
your hair
Experience
nature up close
Take an exhilarating airboat
ride into a seldom-visited area
of Everglades National Park.
Marvel at the incredible amount
of wildlife to be seen from the
boardwalk of the world-famous
Anhinga Trail in Everglades
National Park.
Highlights
of our 7-day
Everglades
Adventure
Wide-open spaces
in a subtropical
paradise
Get your hands
dirty (if you want)
Hike into a dark-water swamp
with a park biologist, and kayak
through leafy green mangrove
tunnels into the secluded
backwaters of Rookery Bay.
Over 60 miles wide and 100
miles long, you will see this slowmoving ‘river of grass’ firsthand.
Nature by day,
luxury by night.
After a day of exploration, come
home to your Tuscan-style all-suite
hotel and make new discoveries
at the galleries, boutiques, and
restaurants in the charming heart
of Old Naples.
Naples, Florida &
The Bellasera Hotel
T
he Bellasera Hotel, located at the gateway to
5th Avenue South, is where Naples’ tropical
elegance, charm, and historical beauty are at their
finest. Drawing its spirit and inspiration from the
beautiful villages of Tuscany, the Bellasera hotel
offers you a richly appointed setting that glows
with distinction. In addition to all-suite accommodations with full gourmet kitchens, guests can
enjoy luxury cabanas, heated outdoor pool, fitness
center, concierge, fine cuisine, the Esterra Spa,
and more.
Between forays to the famous galleries, boutiques,
and restaurants that line nearby 5th Avenue South,
guests at Bellasera enjoy on-site luxury cabanas, a
heated outdoor pool and spa, fitness center, concierge and spa services, fine cuisine, and more. All
Your Home Base IN
T H E E V er g l a de s
Discounted Alumni Rate:
$3,295
Rates based on per person double occupancy.
Call for single pricing.
Call now to reserve.
Space is limited to just 24 guests.
(800) 469-2586
within an authentic Italian setting.
Orbridge
Expedition
Leaders
E
very departure will be accompanied by one of our premier Expedition Leaders, all of whom have extensive
knowledge and experience as naturalists. With our talented
and enthusiastic staff, you will be able to see and learn more
about this fascinating and complex ecosystem than you ever
dreamed possible.
Send or fax reservation
form and deposit to:
Iowa Voyagers
University of Iowa Alumni Association
100 Levitt Center, One West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1797
Fax: (319) 335-1079
The Everglades
FEBRUARY 20 – 26, 2011
Name(s) as listed on driver’s license, government-issued ID, or passport (if traveling internationally)
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Class Year
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Preferred Name on Badge(s)
How did you hear about this program?
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Other___________
Enclosed is my deposit of $___________ ($850 per person) for the Everglades program.
A deposit of $850/person is required at the time of booking to secure your reservation. Final payment is due by check
no later than 90 days prior to departure. Cancellation penalties apply. If a reservation is made within 90 days of departure, the $850 deposit will hold your reservation for three business days, at which time your final payment will be due in
full. Please note that inside of 90 days, deposits are non-refundable.
Enclosed is a deposit check made payable to Orbridge LLC
Charge my deposit to
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Card #:_______________________________________________________Expiration:________3 or 4 digit code:________
I/we have read, understand, and agree to the full Terms & Conditions at http://terms.orbridge.com and
detailed in program documents, that the information provided on this form is true, correct, and complete
and that Orbridge LLC is authorized to charge my credit card above and/or take my/our deposit for this
program.
Signature:______________________________________________________________Date:__________________________
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IOWAWEB.EVER.11
Contract: Terms & Conditions
These provisions apply to any travel services offered by Orbridge LLC or any of its affiliates (“Orbridge”).
a. Rates
Program rates are based upon minimum participation levels, current airfares, tariffs,
and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices,
they are subject to change.
b. Registration, Deposits, and Final Payment
For all programs including extensions, a deposit of $850 per person per program,
payable by check, money order, wire transfer, or major credit card is required at the
time of booking to secure confirmation. Final payment including any extension(s) is
payable by check, money order, or wire transfer ONLY and due at least 90 days prior to
the scheduled program departure date. If your reservation is made less than 90 days
prior to departure, the entire cost of the program is due at the time of registration by
check, money order, or wire transfer ONLY. If final payments are not received at least
90 days prior to the scheduled program departure date, the booking will be subject
to a 2% per week late payment penalty and Orbridge reserves the right to cancel the
booking at Orbridge’s sole discretion.
c. Cancellations, and Refunds
All cancellations must be submitted to Orbridge in writing, and will be subject to a
cancellation fee as follows: (a) if the cancellation notice is received by Orbridge 151
or more days prior to the scheduled departure date, the cancellation fee will be $500
per person/per program (including any extensions); (b) if the cancellation notice is
received by Orbridge between 150 and 91 days prior to the scheduled departure date
the cancellation fee will be $850 (forfeiture of the full deposit); (c) if the cancellation
notice is received by Orbridge 90 or fewer days prior to the scheduled departure date,
the cancellation fee will be the full program price. A 100% cancellation charge applies
to all internal air canceled at any time prior to departure, where applicable. Refunds, if
any due will be processed within 30 days of Orbridge receiving written cancellation.
d. Cancelled Programs
Orbridge reserves the right to cancel any program prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient participation or logistical problems that may
impede program operations. The refund of all program price payments received shall
release Orbridge from any further liability. A program with insufficient participation
would normally be cancelled a minimum of 90 days prior to departure. Orbridge
makes substantial payments to its suppliers (hotels, transportation companies, etc)
far in advance of the scheduled program departure date. If a program is cancelled
due to force majeure (e.g. acts of God, war, labor strikes, earthquake, flooding, etc).
Orbridge will promptly refund the portion of the program price not already advanced
to suppliers and use its best efforts to recover and refund the balance as promptly
as possible. However, Orbridge does not guarantee recovery of any or all of the
advance payments made, and its use of best efforts to recover these payments will
not include the institution of any legal proceedings in foreign jurisdictions outside of
Washington State. Orbridge is not responsible for any expenses incurred by program
participants in preparing for a cancelled program (e.g. non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, visa fees, medical expenses, equipment, etc.) or for any additional
arrangements should the program participant have embarked prior to the scheduled
group departure date.
e. Itineraries
Accommodations (hotel or vessel) and arranged excursions are subject to change at
any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Orbridge’s control. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may
occur after the final itinerary has been issued. Orbridge reserves the right to withdraw
a program or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or program inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to program members any
expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control. Orbridge also
reserves the right to withdraw or modify a program if required by the tour operator
with whom Orbridge has contracted.
f. Not Included
Unless otherwise specifically noted in the itinerary, program prices do not include
the following expenses, which if applicable are your responsibility: trip cancellation
insurance and passenger travel protection plan; domestic, international, and internal
airfares; transfers and luggage handling except in connection with scheduled group
flights; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure
taxes; airline ticketing fees; airport transfers when arriving/departing on other than
scheduled group dates; excess baggage charges; any new value added taxes or GST
taxes added to program costs by foreign governments; gratuities to drivers, guides,
or ship’s crew; meals and beverages other than those specified as being included free
of charge in the itinerary; sightseeing not included in the itinerary; personal expenses
such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to
availability); and ship, air, or transportation fuel surcharges, if applicable.
g. Health and Fitness to Travel
Some active elements have been incorporated into the itinerary on programs. To enjoy the program as intended, a minimum level of fitness is required. You must be in
good physical and mental health. You agree that you have no physical, mental or
other condition of disability that would create a hazard for yourself or other passengers or otherwise negatively impact other passengers. Orbridge reserves the right to
decline to accept anyone that it considers unsuitable due to fitness level. Orbridge
also reserves the right to remove from the program, at the participant’s own expense,
anyone whose condition is such that it could create a hazard to himself or herself or
others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the program. Any
physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment must be reported in
writing when the reservation is made. Should you have any questions or need any clarification about a specific program, please ask for details at the time of registration.
at http://www.travel.state.gov or contacting the U.S. State Department directly. In the
event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the program, should the Guest choose to travel to the location
anyway, without limiting any other liability exclusion provisions in these Terms, you
assume all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the
events that are the same or similar to those advised or warned against.
i. Baggage
Program rates include the handling of two pieces of baggage per person during the
land or cruise program. Weight restrictions on some routes on internal air flights may
apply. Your baggage and personal effects are at your own risk throughout the travel
program. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions
applicable to international flights.
j. Travel Documents
For U.S. citizens, valid passports are required for travel to foreign destinations and
some countries require specific visas prior to entry. Check with Orbridge with any
questions, but it remains your responsibility to verify that you have all the appropriate
travel documents for your nationality and sufficient blank pages in your passport for
visas and immigration stamps. Orbridge is not liable for any expenses or costs arising
from a traveler being prohibited from entering a country scheduled to be visited on a
program or from being prohibited reentry into the United States.
k. Travel Insurance
Orbridge strongly recommends that you purchase travel and cancellation insurance
to protect yourself from unexpected circumstances that may cause you to cancel your
trip. In addition, we recommend you consider obtaining a policy that will cover some
of your losses associated with damage or loss of luggage or personal effects. If you
do not have and are interested in travel and cancellation insurance please contact us
immediately during registration.
l. Photos and Videos
Orbridge and its designated representatives or tour operators reserve the right to
take photographs or videos during any program or tour and to use the resulting photography which may include images of you for promotional purposes.
m. Arbitration
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to any services or products offered
or obtained through Orbridge, including without limitation any claim related to bodily
injury, death or property damage, shall be settled by binding arbitration in Seattle,
Washington in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then
existing, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction over the subject matter of the controversy.
n. Responsibilities
Neither Orbridge, nor any of its respective employees, members, managers, shareholders, officers or directors (collectively, the “Orbridge Group”) own or operate
any entity which does or will provide goods or services for your program. Orbridge
Group purchases transportation, hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers, all of
whom are independent contractors. The Orbridge Group shall not be liable for any
injury, expenses or costs arising from any services, or lack thereof, provided by any
independent supplier or other third party, nor the standards of care which you experience when using those services. In addition and without limitation, the Orbridge
Group shall not be liable for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage
to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services, including without limitation those whether resulting from acts of God or force majeure,
illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other
labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft, vessels or other
means of transportation or for failure of any means of transportation to arrive or depart on time. Dates, program details and costs, although given in good faith and
based on tariffs, exchange rates and other information current at the time of printing,
are subject to change at or before the time of departure. While we do not anticipate
material revisions of the itinerary or its included features, we do reserve the right to
substitute accommodations or modes of transportation and to make any changes in
the itinerary where deemed necessary, and in that case any additional expenses will
be paid by the individual guest. Where applicable, in no event shall the aggregate
liability of the Orbridge Group (whether in contract, warranty, tort (including but not
limited to negligence), product liability, strict liability or other theory) arising out of or
relating to the use of services exceed the amount you actually paid Orbridge for the
program or tour out of which the claim arose. Your baggage and personal effects are
your sole responsibility at all times. There are many inherent risks in travel, which can
lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that some of
the programs we book take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. You
assume all such risks associated with participating in this program.
Acceptance of Contract: ANY PAYMENT TO ORBRIDGE, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO DEPOSITS CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN AND IN MORE SPECIFIC TOUR DOCUMENTS.
© ORBRIDGE LLC, ORBRIDGE, ORBRIDGE DESTINATION SPECIALISTS, ORBRIDGE
GROUP, and OBR are service marks owned by Orbridge LLC. The service marks and
trademarks of any supplier appearing in these materials are owned by each respective
company. WAST# 602828994 CAST# 2098750-40 a. Rates: Program rates are based
upon minimum participation levels, current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While
we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change.
h. Travel Advisories and Warnings
It is the responsibility of each guest to become informed about the most current
travel advisories and warnings by visiting the U. S. State Department’s travel website
Rev. 6.1.2010