Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land And Water Trust

What Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land And Water Trust does

Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land And Water Trust (CREW Land & Water Trust) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Estero, Florida. Its mission is to preserve and steward the water resources and natural communities of the 70,000+-acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed, the largest intact watershed in Southwest Florida, straddling Lee and Collier Counties. The trust coordinates land acquisition, land management, and public use of the watershed in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the National Audubon Society (Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary), and Collier and Lee Counties. It holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency for 2025.

CREW operates four core trail systems—CREW Marsh Trails (5.5 miles), CREW Cypress Dome Trails (6 miles), CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail (12 miles), and CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails—totaling 40+ miles of free public recreation land offering hiking, biking, birding, primitive camping, geocaching, horseback riding, and regulated hunting. Ancillary products include environmental education programs (Walk Through a Watershed, LIFE program, K-12 field trips serving Collier and Lee County Schools plus Florida Gulf Coast University), naturalist-led guided walks, member-only events, volunteer programs (performing work equivalent to four full-time staff), and a 2025-26 Trail Sponsorship program. The trust also publishes trail guides, wildlife checklists, and a quarterly CREW News newsletter.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure: all trails are free and open to public access, with revenue sourced from annual membership subscriptions (including free student memberships), general donations, the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund, corporate trail sponsorships, and recurring fundraisers (Stanley Hole Golf Tournament in its 15th year and a benefit concert). The organization employs 1-10 paid staff supplemented by a volunteer base that triples operational capacity, and it finalized a 2026-2030 Strategic Plan organized around seven strategic pillars and six mission areas following a 2024 leadership transition. Technology is limited to standard nonprofit tooling (Eventbrite, DonorSnap, social media, Google Earth) with no proprietary platform or AI capabilities.

Name

Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land And Water Trust

Legal name

CREW Land & Water Trust

Website

https://crewtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CREW Land & Water Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that preserves the 70,000+-acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed in Southwest Florida, operating 40+ miles of free public trails across four trail systems and delivering environmental education, guided walks, and land acquisition services in partnership with SFWMD, FWC, Audubon, and local counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Watershed preservation
• Environmental education
• Public trail recreation
• Nonprofit conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Estero

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership subscriptions with benefits including quarterly CREW News, discounts on guided walks, early program registration, monthly email updates, and local socials.
2. Donations: General one-time donations, donations to the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund, and sponsorships for concert and golf tournament fundraisers.
3. Trail Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsorships for trail maintenance and programs through the Trail Sponsorship program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CREW Land & Water Trust is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves and stewards the 70,000+ acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed in Southwest Florida across Lee and Collier Counties. It operates four public trail systems (CREW Marsh Trails, CREW Cypress Dome Trails, CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail, and CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails) offering free public recreation, and runs environmental education programs, guided walks, primitive camping, geocaching, regulated hunting, and membership and donation programs.

Product overview

CREW Land & Water Trust operates a conservation-focused nonprofit that manages four distinct trail systems within the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed spanning Lee and Collier Counties in Southwest Florida. The core offerings consist of public recreation trails (CREW Marsh Trails at 5.5 miles, CREW Cypress Dome Trails at 6 miles, CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail at 12 miles, and CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails), supplemented by environmental education programs, guided walks, primitive camping, geocaching, and regulated hunting. The organization also supports land acquisition for watershed protection and operates membership and donation programs for public engagement. These services are provided free of charge to the public, supported by memberships, donations, and partnerships with government agencies including the South Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CREW Marsh Trails 5.5 miles of marked loop trails through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, popash slough, and along a 5,000-acre sawgrass marsh, featuring an observation deck and tower. Free public access for hiking, biking, birding, and nature study.
• CREW Cypress Dome Trails Six miles of well-marked loop trails through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, wet prairie, popash slough, and two cypress domes, connected to Caracara Prairie Preserve. Supports hiking, horseback riding, camping, and hunting activities.
• CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail 12 miles of hiking and biking trails including a 1500-ft boardwalk with wheelchair accessibility. Features maple-cypress swamp habitat with alligators, otters, Florida panthers, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and diverse birdlife including barred owls and swallow-tailed kites.
• CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails Multi-use trail system covering Lee and Collier Counties. Features Billy G. Cobb Memorial Trail (Red Trail), Purple Trail connecting to Bird Rookery Swamp, and multiple parking areas. Supports hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
• Environmental Education Programs Field trips and educational programs for K-12 students, home school groups, universities, and community groups. Includes Walk Through a Watershed, Watershed and Wildlife Walk, LIFE program, and High School Watershed Trips covering Biodiversity, Wetland Ecology, Fire Ecology, and Legacy programs.
• Guided Walks and Programs Naturalist-led hikes, seasonal programs, members-only events, adult science seminars (Strolling Science Seminars), full moon walks, and special interpretive hikes. Registration through Eventbrite.
• Primitive Camping Two free primitive campsites: Gate 3 site near Corkscrew Marsh in oak hammock setting, and Gate 5 site near Cypress Dome Trailhead in pine setting. Both sites accommodate up to 20 people with grill, picnic tables, and fire ring provided. Requires special use license from SFWMD.
• Membership Program Annual membership with benefits including quarterly CREW News subscription, discounts on guided walks, early program registration, monthly email updates, and two local social events. Includes regular membership, sustaining membership with recurring giving, and free student membership for college students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55,000+ acres protected for conservation out of 70,000 acre watershed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary land owner and manager of CREW lands. Owns and manages significant portions of the watershed including the CREW trail systems. Conducts land management including water flow restoration, exotic plant/animal removal, and native vegetation replanting. Manages special use permits for camping and horseback riding.
• Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonitors wildlife and hunting on CREW lands and provides law enforcement. Manages hunting within CREW Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) including quota hunts, season dates, and permit requirements. Conducts panther and bobcat research including FLM disease studies.
• National Audubon Society - Corkscrew Swamp SanctuarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwns the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the heart of the CREW watershed located in the center of the CREW project. Partner in original land acquisition efforts in the 1970s-1980s.
• Collier CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner with CREW Trust of the Caracara Prairie Preserve west of Corkscrew Marsh. Partner in land acquisition through Conservation Collier program.
• Lee CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in land acquisition and preservation efforts. Original applicant for Save Our Rivers Program to purchase Flint Pen Strand for water recharge area in late 1980s.
• Lee County 20/20supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation partnership involved in land preservation efforts within the CREW project area.
• Conservation ColliermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollier County conservation program that co-owns and maintains the Caracara Prairie Preserve, which connects to CREW Cypress Dome Trails.
• Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Water SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing student field experiences, research projects, and civic engagement opportunities on CREW lands. Alumni serve in staff and leadership positions.
• Wings of Hope/Florida Gulf Coast UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity-affiliated conservation organization involved in CREW education and research programs.
• UF IFAS FMNPsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Florida Master Naturalist Program partnership for environmental education.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit that works with corporations, agencies, and communities to acquire and manage land for conservation, water quality, and recreation. Overlaps with CREW on the land acquisition and partnership-financing role.
• The Nature Conservancy: The largest US private conservation organization, operating land acquisition, protected-area management, and conservation finance programs across all 50 states. Highly comparable to CREW's watershed stewardship and public-private acquisition model at significantly larger scale.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land acquisition, conservation easements, and creating public access to natural areas, often via public-private partnerships with state and local agencies. Directly analogous to CREW's mission, model, and partnership structure.

Emerging players

• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife conservation nonprofit with a strong Florida panther and imperiled-species program. Shares CREW's interest in wildlife habitat within the CREW footprint, including panther and bobcat research.

Direct peers

• National Audubon Society: Owns Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the heart of the CREW watershed, and is a core partner of CREW Land & Water Trust. Audubon operates one of the largest US networks of sanctuaries and nature centers, making it the most direct comparable conservation nonprofit.
• Calusa Waterkeeper: Southwest Florida nonprofit advocating for clean water through science, advocacy, education, and community engagement across Lee and Collier Counties. Overlaps with CREW on water-quality focus and regional audience.
• Audubon Western Everglades: Regional Audubon chapter covering Collier County, focused on bird conservation, wildlife habitat, and environmental education across Southwest Florida. Directly comparable to CREW's regional conservation and education mission.
• Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation: Regional Florida conservation nonprofit in coastal Southwest Florida that manages wildlife habitat, native plant nurseries, marine research, and environmental education programs. Highly comparable to CREW's combination of land/water management and education programming.

Regional players

• American Rivers: National nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring rivers and clean water, working with partners on watershed-scale conservation. Conceptually aligned with CREW's watershed-acquisition and water-quality mission.
• Florida Wildlife Federation: State-level wildlife conservation nonprofit focused on habitat protection, policy advocacy, and education across Florida. Provides comparable state-scale perspective on CREW's watershed and wildlife management work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CREWTrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crew-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land And Water Trust