Purpose: To inform the public on issues and activities occurring in the Estero Bay Watershed related to hydrology, water quality, and habitat protection
Sunday, September 27th, 2009
Background: The purpose of the Lee County Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Program,
known as Conservation 20/20, is to acquire and protect environmentally critical or
sensitive land within Lee County. Preferred lands help preserve the existing biodiversity
of Lee County and are important for conserving and enhancing water resources. Between
1997-2005 over 11,780 acres have been preserved.
Details: Guided tour around the Estero Marsh Preserve.
Cost: Free
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water.
Address: Island Park Rd, Fort Myers, Florida 33908 (Park by the power line easement).
For more information:
9am - 1pm
Vester Marine & Environmental Science Research Field Station[BROKEN LINK]
Background: Located just off Bonita Beach Road on Little Hickory Island along Fish Trap Bay, where
the Imperial River empties into Estero Bay, the Vester Field Station comprises three
buildings perched on a spit of land framed by water on three sides.
Details: A tour of the facility, describing some of the on-going research projects and possibly
offer short boat tours of the surrounding waterways.
Cost: Free
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water.
Address: 5164 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134.
For more information:
10am 12pm 2pm
Background: The remains of an unusual pioneer settlement are preserved on the banks of the Estero
River. In 1894, a religious visionary named Cyrus Reed Teed brought his followers
from Chicago to Estero to construct a "New Jerusalem." Teed hoped it would become
a city of 10 million people practicing the religion of Koreshanity.
Details: Guided tour of Koreshan State Park.
Cost: Free
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water.
Address: 3800 Corkscrew Road Estero, Florida 33928.
For more information:
10am - 1pm
Background: Lovers Key State Park is comprised of four barrier islands and includes a 3 mile hiking/biking
trail through a maritime hammock, 2.5 miles of beach, submerged grass flats and nearly
3 miles of protected canals, which are inhabited by manatees and bottlenose dolphins.
Loggerhead sea turtles, least terns, and gopher tortoises (among other species) make
their nests in the park.
Details: Guided tour of Lover's Key.
Cost: Free
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water.
Address: 8700 Estero Blvd. Ft. Myers Beach, Florida 33931.
For more information:
10am
Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW)
Background: The CREW Land & Water Trust was established to coordinate the land acquisition, land
management, and public use of the 60,000-acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.
This watershed straddles Lee and Collier Counties and provides aquifer recharge, natural
flood protection, water purification, preservation of wildlife habitat, and public
recreation.
Details: Guided tour of CREW lands. Travel through pine flatwoods, a pop ash slough, a sawgrass
marsh, and seasonal ponds and talk about the plants and animals that live in these
systems as well as the important functions of the watershed.
Cost: Free
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water.
Address: 23998 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928
For more information:
9am - 1pm
Sponsored By:
