Get to know local flora, fauna with naturalist programs
Free walks on beach and shoreline start
Take an educational and inspirational walk through Matanzas Pass Preserve and Bowditch Point Park with a naturalist. Learn the importance of barrier islands and their unique ecosystems and how they protect the mainland. Enjoy the amazing beauty of coastal Florida. Bring you hat, bug spray, water and a camera.
Bowditch Point walks are every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m., 50 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. Free with paid parking.
Matanzas Pass Preserve walks every Thursday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at 199 Bay Street, Ft. Myers Beach, behind Beach Elementary. Limited free parking.
Native Plants and More… Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Venture down a path through a hardwood hammock to Estero Bay and discover a barrier island’s bayside community at Matanzas Pass Preserve.
Ever wonder about native plants and why they are important? Want to know more about butterflies? While leisurely following the path to the mangroves of Estero Bay there may be possible wildlife sightings and opportunities for photos. At the shaded pavilion you can take in the beautiful serenity of the bay where dolphins and manatees may be present.
Don’t forget your camera, binoculars, water, hat, sunscreen, bug spray. Meet at the Historic Cottage near the entrance of Matanzas Pass Preserve at the end of Bay Street off of Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach Limited Free parking.
Brown Bagin’ It at Bowditch is Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. Ever been on a nature walk and thought of a question when you got home that you didn’t ask? Want to know how to become a volunteer naturalist or help remove exotics? Want to learn more about what’s happening at Lee County Parks & Recreation sites at Fort Myers Beach and elsewhere in the county?
Grab a brown-bag lunch, buy your lunch at the park or just take a break and join Lunch with a naturalist. Free program with paid parking.
Turtle Talk and more is Wednesdays 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Explore Bowditch Point Park and look for our resident gopher tortoise in its native habitat. Come learn more about various turtles and their differences with our naturalist. Free program with paid parking.
Orange River paddle
is set for Dec. 27
Saturday, Dec. 27, join a guide on a one way paddle down the Orange River starting in Buckingham.
The trip begins at Manatee Park with a short on shore instruction beginning at 8:30 a.m. Transportation by van provided to the launch site. This trip will offer the unique opportunity to paddle a portion of the river rich in history with the old Florida feel of draping oaks and old Florida style homes. Approximately four miles will be paddled in just over three hours.
Pack a snack and drink. Fee includes all equipment, van transportation and guide. Please bring bottled water, sunscreen and shoes that may get wet.
The cost is $35 per person. Tandem kayaks only. To register, call 533-7440 or visit leeparks.org.
Manatee Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sundown. The Visitor Center and Gift Shop are now open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Canoe through islands on bird tour with patrol guide
Canoe through islands of nesting wading birds with a bird patrol guide Saturday, Jan 3 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (arrive by 8:15).
Meet at Lakes Regional Park in south Ft. Myers on Gladiolus Drive west of Cleveland Avenue.
Everyone must pre-register at leeparks.org or call 533-7440.
This tour is free with parking fee.
Bring binoculars, sun protection, water, and a hat.
Walk Bunche Beach
with bird patrol guide
Experience the beautiful birds of Bunche Beach with a bird patrol guide Saturday, Jan 10 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Meet in the parking lot at Bunche Beach (one of the best birding sites in Lee County) in South Fort Myers, off Summerlin Road. Drive south on John Morris Road until it deadends.
For more information, call 707-3015 or visit birdpatrol.org.
This event is free and provided in cooperation with Lee County Parks and Recreation.
Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water, your curiosity and love of nature.
Guided walk in the woods with bird patrol guide
Take a guided walk in the woods with a bird patrol guide on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (arrive by 8:15).
Meet at Lakes Regional Park is located in south Fort Myers on Gladiolus Drive west of Cleveland Avenue.
All must pre-register at leeparks.org or call 533-7440.
This tour is free with parking fee.
Stroll through native habitat and see first hand the plants and birds that make this area so unique.
Bring binoculars, sun protection, water, hat, and sturdy walking shoes.
Guided night hikes held monthly through March
Take a guided night hike through the woods Dec. 27 and 28, Jan. 25 and 26, Feb. 25 and 26, and March 26 and 27.
Unravel mysteries and sharpen your senses as you hike with a park naturalist. Look for things that glow in the dark, shooting stars, and other night wonders with no city lights to interfere.
The hikes are 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Collier-Seminole State Park, 20200 U.S. 41 E. Naples.
Ages six and up are welcome; cost is $10 per person.
Registration is required: Call 394-3397.
Special group/family trips are also available. Contact Lee Balenger.
Estero Bay estuary
wading trips continue
The season of Estero Bay estuary wading trips continue on Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 11:30 a.m. through the Estero Bay Buddies and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve office.
The events are free of charge thanks to funding by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program. Join seasoned guides as they show paddlers how to discover first-hand why estuaries – such as Estero Bay – are so important to Southwest Florida. Explore the ecology of the states first Aquatic Preserve and learn more about what lies beneath the waters of Estero Bay.
Participants will travel into mudflats and seagrass beds at low tide and encounter the many species that call this estuary home. Seines, dip nets and field microscopes will be provided for closer examination of crabs, fish, shrimp, and other interesting animals. Participants will see why estuaries are known as the “cradles of the ocean.”
Advance registration is required. For reservations and information, call the preserve office at 463-3240 during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
Wading trips take about an hour and a half to two hours. Wear old tennis shoes or diving booties and a swimsuit or shorts. No flipflops or sandals. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, water and a towel.
The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) is a partnership that protects the estuaries from Venice to Estero Bay. This partnership gives citizens, elected officials, resource managers, and commercial and recreational resource users in the 4,400 square-mile study area a voice to address diverse resource management concerns, including fish and wildlife habitat loss, water quality and water flow.
The watershed in the study area includes all or portions of Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk, Hardee, and DeSoto counties.
For more on the CHNEP, visit CharlotteHarborNEP.org or call 338-2556, Ext 240, or call toll free (866) 835-5785.
Daytime, moonlight canoe trips for ages six and up
The Collier-Seminole State Park, just east of Naples at 20200 E. US 41, is offering guided daytime canoe trips every Monday, Wednesday and through March 30. In addition, trips will be held every Friday in January and February from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ages six and up are welcome; cost is $25 per person (whether you bring your own canoe or one is provided for you.)
Guided Moonlight Canoe Trips are set for Jan. 10 and 11, Feb. 8 and 9, and March 11 and 12. All moonlight tours are from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Ages 12 and up; $30 per person.
Bluegrass festival set
for February 14 and 15
A Jammin’ in the Hammock bluegrass festival is set for Feb. 14 and 15. Stay tuned for more information.
The festival is set to take place at Collier-Seminole State Park, just east of Naples at 20200 E. US 41.
Visit floridastateparks.org
/collier-seminole/default.cfm for park information, history, ranger programs, special events, photo galleries, a bird list and much more.