Symposium Field Trips

ESTERO BAY WATERSHED PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM 2009

FIELD TRIPS

Sunday September 27th, 2009

Art Exhibit Fundraiser

Sept 21-Oct 2^nd. FGCU ARTLAB

Reception Sept 28th

Field Trip Details- The volunteers are looking forward to your visit!

Estero Marsh Preserve

Conservation 20/20
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: http://www.conservation2020.org/preservedetails.cfm?proj_no=157.

9 AM

1 PM

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: http://www.crewtrust.org/.

9 AM

1 PM

Koreshan State Historic Site
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: http://www.floridastateparks.org/koreshan/ParkSummary.cfm.

10 AM

1 PM

Lover's Key State Park
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.
Where to Meet: Meet the guide in the main parking lot by the tram center.
For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/loverskey/ParkSummary.cfm.

10 AM

Vester Marine & Environmental Science Research Field Station
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: http://www.fgcu.edu/vestermarine/index.html.