A watery wilderness lies between Naples and Miami, a serene Florida landscape of ancient cypress trees, rare orchids and elusive species like the Florida panther. To set foot in Big Cypress National Preserve is to be enchanted by it, to see firsthand its irreplaceable value in a state where the coasts are crowded by strip malls, highways and housing developments. It’s not only a beautiful place − its survival is essential to the water supply and the economy for millions of Floridians.