Walk with nature
By ANDREA GALABINSKI
nfmneighbor@breezenewspapers.com
If you are looking for a scenic, peaceful and natural informative way to spend the new year, free special guided nature walks will be held at both Prairie Pines Preserve and Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve in North Fort Myers from January through March.
The first and biggest will be held Saturday, Jan. 7 at Prairie Pines Preserve.
The walk is called “Morning Meander Atop the Marsh” and starts at 9 a.m.
From the ADA-compliant boardwalk known as 1/4 Mile Loop Boardwalk, this 1 1/2-hour-long stroll will traverse a seasonal marsh while walkers learn about the birds, butterflies and plants that call it home.
Participants will visit one small section of the 2,654-acre Conservation 20/20 Prairie Pines Preserve, what locals describe as a wilderness oasis that includes nature trails, wildlife observation areas and equestrian trails.
Then, on Saturday, Jan. 14, a similar tour will take place at the Caloosa-hatchee Creeks Preserve, across from ECHO (Educational Concerns For Hunger) on Bayshore Road.
Both feature enthusiastic and fun guides who make learning about the local preserves a memorable experience.
Gayle Sheets and Janet Bunch are volunteers for Lee County Parks & Recreation, and lead the guided nature walks. Bunch, a North Fort Myers resident, generally leads the one at Prairie Pines Preserves, and Sheets the Ca-loosahatchee Preserve.
There is no RSVP to do – you just show up and enjoy the experience.
It is the second year for the tours by these volunteers.
“Last year was very successful,” said Sheets.
“I think what inspired us was to get these walks going to our preserves – and other 20/20 Conservation projects.”
You see flora and fauna all along the way – and nature at its finest.
“A lot of new Florida residents are nervous about being outside,” said Bunch. “They hear stories, but our mission is to gently introduce them to the natural Florida and show it is a beautiful and friendly place.”
“I would say these preserves are a treasure for our neighbors and these various communities,” said Sheets. “The preserves show that we are good neighbors – they help to restore our water supply, control flooding and more – let alone the nature along the way.”
The two are also members of the Lee County Bird Patrol.
“The Bird Patrol is a group of volunteers who visit Conservation 20/20 properties on a monthly basis to count species and more, then turn the numbers over to the county,” said Sheets. They also note water issues and vegetation. “That way, they can know how they are doing health-wise, ecologically.”
Sheets has been visiting Prairie Pines for several years. “Prairie Pines is so quiet and beautiful,” she said. “It’s a wonderful place for all the senses. There are beautiful things to see, the ponds, marshes and the boardwalk.”
“It’s an incredible jewel right on our doorstep,” said Bunch. She moved to the area, close to the preserve, several years ago. “One of the first things I heard was, ‘Did you hear about the great park?'”
She’s frequented it since.
On the guided walks, guides point out all types of preserve features, give information and answer questions.
“We talk about the ecosystem, answer questions and if people have more questions, they hang around,” said Bunch.
“It’s a stroll- with no special equipment needed.”
The Marsh Loop Trail is handicapped accessible, important for many that visit the preserve. It is a flat area, easy on wheelchairs and walkers.
Those of all ages visit the preserve. Horse lovers enjoy coming there to ride, and there are extra large parking spots that allow for horse trailers. Dog lovers bring their pets, but they must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash.
At Prairie Pines Preserve, you can meet in the parking lot at 18400 N. Tamiami Trail in North Fort Myers starting Saturday, Jan. 7. The tour lasts from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and will be continued throughout March on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
For information, go to birdpatrol.org or call 707-2206.
For more information on the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve walk, located at 10130 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers, go to birdpatrol.org or call 533-7455. Those walks will be continued throughout March on the second Saturday of the month.
Sheets also conducts nature walks at Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve, held on the fourth Saturday of the month, at 6351 Stringfellow Rd. on Pine Island. For information on those tours, call 707-8251.
The tours are provided in cooperation with Lee County Parks and Recreation, and free.
Conservation 20/20 is looking for more volunteers, said Sheets. The person to contact is Laura Wewerka at 707-0874. “She said she is looking for more people who are interested in getting out and enjoying nature, but at the same time, helping us keep an eye on our preserves. That’s not only for what we do with the walks, but there are also maintenance projects like trimming trees and monitoring projects for birds and gopher tortoises and exotics.”