Baseline surveys for ants were conducted in hydrologically disturbed and undisturbed preserves in the western Everglades in Collier County, Florida, by using baited vials and sweep nets. The 50 sampling sites were selected based on 1) major plant communities and 2) whether or not the site was located in an area that is expected to be affected by the hydrologic restoration of Picayune Strand State Forest. Forty-eight species were collected, of which 33 were native and 15 were exotic. The surveys revealed that approximately half of the species identified were associated with specific plant communities. As these surveys were site specific and can be repeated at a later date, shifts in the distribution and frequency of the ant species can be used to assess successional changes in the plant communities resulting from the hydrologic restoration of the Picayune Strand State Forest and adjacent preserves.