County Parks: Free seasonal shoreline walks
Bowditch Point Preserve
Barrier Islands Guided Walk at Bowditch
Do gopher tortoises like to swim? Why are plants important to the beach and what is a barrier island?Learn the answers to these questions and more while exploring the beach front tropical communities and all their inhabitants. Walks meet every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and Friday at 1 p.m. and last approximately 1 1/2 hours. Walks take place at Bowditch Point Preserve from now through March. This walk is free but a fee for parking is required. Bowditch Point Park is located at 50 Estero Blvd.
Bunche Beach Preserve
Low Tide Loafing at Sunset
Join a volunteer naturalist and leisurely explore the mud flats to see what mysteries the low tide uncovers while enjoying a beautiful Florida sunset as well! Wear shoes that can get wet, don’t forget your camera, water and bug spray. Days and times will vary depending on the tides. The next walk is scheduled for Feb. 26, beginning at 5 p.m. and should last about 1 hour. Bunche Beach is located at 18201 John Morris Road, Ft. Myers.
Matanzas Pass Preserve
Exploring Ethnobotany
Learn how indigenous plants can be used for such things as food, shelter, medicine and clothing. Learn the historical importance of some of Florida’s plants to humans. Walks meet the last Wednesday of every month. The next walk is scheduled for Feb. 24. Meet at the entrance to Matanzas Pass Preserve. These walks begin at 9:30 a.m. and last approximately 1 1/2 hours. This is a free walk and there is no fee for parking but space is limited so come early. Matanzas Pass preserve is located at 199 BayRoad, Ft. Myers Beach.
Mangrove Walk at Matanzas
When was the last time you walked through a maritime hammock or a mangrove forest with the bay lapping at your feet – join us and learn about the diverse plant communities including the maritime oak hammock, transitional wetlands and mangrove forest. Walks meet every Thursday, at the entrance to Matanzas Pass Preserve. Walks begin at 9:30 a.m. and last approximately 1 1/2 hours. This is a free walk with limited free parking. Matanzas Pass preserve is located at 199 Bay Road.
For more information on all walks visit www.leeparks.org or call 463-3764.
Group guided tours for any of the shoreline walks are available upon request by calling 229-7356.
Beach parks and shoreline volunteers needed
Do you enjoy the beach and being outdoors? Do you have a couple hours a week that you could volunteer as a park beautification specialist, tour guide or park ambassador at one of our many Beach parks? Opportunities are available with Lee County Parks and Recreation at Bonita Beach, Dog Beach Bowditch, Lynn Hall Park, Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, Bunche Beach and the Causeway Islands Park. Interpretive guide training is available, hours are flexible and little to no experience is necessary. For more information email vlittle@leegov.com or call 463-3764.
County parks: Free seasonal shoreline walks
Matanzas Pass Preserve
Mangrove Walk at Matanzas
When was the last time you walked through a maritime hammock or a mangrove forest with the bay lapping at your feet – join us and learn about the diverse plant communities including the maritime oak hammock, transitional wetlands and mangrove forest. Walks meet every Thursday, November through March, at the entrance to Matanzas Pass Preserve. Walks begin at 9:30 a.m. and last approximately 1 1/2 hours. This is a free walk with limited free parking. Matanzas Pass preserve is located at 199 Bay Road.
Exploring Ethnobotany New This Season!
Learn how indigenous plants can be used for such things as food, shelter, medicine and clothing. Learn the historical importance of some of Florida’s plants to humans. Walks meet the last Wednesday of every month beginning in November and running through March. The next walk is scheduled for Feb. 24. Meet at the entrance to Matanzas Pass Preserve. These walks begin at 9:30 a.m. and last approximately 1 1/2 hours. This is a free walk and there is no fee for parking but space is limited so come early! Matanzas Pass preserve is located at 199 Bay Road.
Bowditch Point Preserve
Barrier Islands Guided Walk at Bowditch
Do gopher tortoises like to swim, why are plants important to the beach and what is a barrier island? Learn the answers to these questions and more while exploring the beach front tropical communities and all their inhabitants! Walks meet every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and Friday at 1 p.m. and last approximately 1 1/2 hours. Walks take place at Bowditch Point Preserve from now through March. This walk is free but a fee for parking is required. Bowditch Point Park is located at 50 Estero Blvd.
Bunche Beach Preserve
Low Tide Loafing at Sunset – New This Season!
Join a volunteer naturalist and leisurely explore the mud flats to see what mysteries the low tide uncovers while enjoying a beautiful Florida sunset as well! Wear shoes that can get wet, don’t forget your camera, water and bug spray. Days and times will vary depending on the tides. The next walk is scheduled for the Feb. 26, beginning at 5 p.m. and should last about 1 hour. Bunche Beach is located at 18201 John Morris Rd.
Group guided tours for any of the shoreline walks are available upon request by calling 229-7356. For more information on any of the walks, visit www.leeparks.org or call 463-3764.