CROW Speakers Series to host Jan. 9 presentation on Burmese pythons

SFWMD’s Michael Kirkland to share insights from Florida’s largest invasive species removal effort

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife’s (CROW) is kicking off its 2026 Speaker Series on Jan. 9 with a presentation from South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Lead Invasive Species Scientist and Python Program Manager Michael Kirkland on the impact of invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades.

Kirkland has spent over a decade on the front lines of Florida’s fight against one of the world’s most destructive invasive species. As the lead scientist for the SFWMD’s Python Elimination Program, Kirkland oversees a highly skilled team of professional python hunters who have collectively removed more than 170,000 pounds (over 80 tons) of Burmese pythons from the Greater Everglades ecosystem.

During his presentation, Kirkland will take attendees behind the scenes of this program, sharing how his elite team of more than 50 expert contractors tracks and humanely removes thousands of pythons each year. He will also highlight groundbreaking research efforts, including the University of Florida’s “Robo-Bunny” python-attracting technology, as well as cutting-edge telemetry projects with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, University of Florida and United States Geological Survey. These initiatives use radio-tagged “scout” pythons to locate hidden breeding aggregations within the Everglades.

Additionally, Kirkland will also discuss the ecological impact of pythons on native wildlife, signs of recovery in areas where extensive python removal has occurred and what the future holds for python management in Florida. The program will conclude with a Q&A session.

Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands is once again sponsoring CROW’s annual Speaker Series, supporting educational programs that bring awareness to critical conservation efforts impacting Southwest Florida and beyond.

“As district python hunters, my wife Robbie and I have seen firsthand the great threat these apex predators pose to Florida’s native species and ecosystem, and we are most grateful to SFWMD in their historic and continuing successes in Everglades restorations,” said Geoffrey Roepstorff, CEO of Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands. “From managing the water resources for the southern half of our state to eliminating invasives from our lands, there is no other agency that is so committed and successful. We’re proud to bring expert voices like Mike Kirkland’s to our region to talk about the python situation in our state. It’s a rare opportunity to hear directly from the team who is setting the global standard for large-scale invasive snake eradication.”

The presentation will take place on Friday, Jan. 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. EST at the CROW Visitor Education Center, located at 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road on Sanibel, and will also be held virtually via Zoom. Tickets are $10 per person. The event is family-friendly, and light refreshments will be provided.

To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/invasive-burmese-pythons-in-the-florida-everglades-registration-1977526515040. Season passes for CROW’s 2026 Speaker Series are also available.