National Estuaries Days 2007
. . . an annual celebration of the majestic places where rivers meet the sea.
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is pleased to announce National Estuaries Days, a time to highlight the importance of estuaries. The official National Estuary Day is Saturday, September 29, but the CHNEP is pleased to announce that, due to the many recreational and educational opportunities being offered by the program’s partners, National Estuaries Days will be celebrated from September 15 to November 18!
The special events, guided walks, boat and paddling tours, wading trips and cleanups are opportunities to learn about estuaries by experiencing them firsthand. CHNEP is pleased to sponsor many of the events.
Be sure to check out the website at www.CHNEP.org for additional events or changes to those listed within this newsletter.
Join us to learn more about estuaries the fun way.
Celebrate National Estuaries Days 2007
with Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
If any additional programs are offered or changes are made to the programs listed in the printed edition of Harbor Happenings, they will be described on this page of the website www.CHNEP.org.
An easy-to-print list is available but does not include changes of dates. If you are a subscriber to Harbor Happenings, you'll also receive this information in the mail. A one-page flier is also available.
* These events are sponsored by CHNEP.
Continue scrolling down this page to learn more about these events or you can click on activities to go directly to the details of that event.
This festival is the signature event for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program. Come enjoy the festival to learn about the natural environment of southwest Florida from the experts!
Guided Walks
National Estuary Day is a yearly celebration that takes place during CoastWeeks, an annual event that began in 1981 to provide people the chance to recognize and honor the beauty of our coasts to foster awareness, understanding and improved management of the coast.
Since its inception in 1988, National Estuary Day has strengthened the partnership between the National Estuary Program (NEP) and National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). The two programs protect more than 50 estuarine habitats that have been federally designated as living resources.
The Environmental Protection Agency established the NEP in 1987 to identify, restore and protect nationally significant estuaries of the United States. Unlike traditional regulatory approaches to environmental protection, the NEP targets a broad range of issues and encourages communities to develop common solutions. In 1995, the Charlotte Harbor was recognized as an “estuary of national significance” and became the one of 28 National Estuary Programs.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established the NERRS in 1972 as a network of federal, state and local partnerships that link programs of stewardship, education and research to enhance informed management and scientific understanding of the nation’s estuarine and coastal habitats. Rookery Bay NERRS is located in southwest Florida.
Saturday, September 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spend the day at Cedar Point Environmental Park with a birding walk, a mangrove march, scavenger hunts, videos and displays. The park is located at 2300 Placida Rd in Englewood, across from Lemon Bay High School.
Directions: Southbound I-75 take Exit 191 (River Rd) to Pine Street, left on Pine Street, cross 776 and Pine St becomes Placida Rd, go one mile on Placida Rd. Cedar Point is on the right, just past Dairy Queen. Northbound I-75 take Kings Hwy exit west to Veterans Blvd, turn right onto Veterans Blvd, cross 41, Veterans Blvd becomes 776, take 776 to intersection of Pine St (on right) and Placida Rd (on left), turn left onto Placida Rd, go one mile on Placida Rd. Cedar Point is on right, just past Dairy Queen. 941/475-0769
Native Peoples of Southwest Florida *
Saturday, September 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center to celebrate the native peoples who inhabited southwest Florida and were nourished by our estuarine waters. This free program will take place at the Alligator Creek site in Punta Gorda.
Directions: From Punta Gorda, take US 41 southeast, then turn south on Burnt Store Rd (765). The entrance is one mile ahead on west side of road. 941/575-5435
Mote’s Mobile Exhibit at Fishermen’s Village
Saturday, September 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Come see some of the local estuary residents in Mote’s 850-gallon mobile tropical fish tank, including snook, bar soldierfish, queen angelfish, Cuban hogfish, Spanish hogfish and Spanish lobster. You’ll also see marine invertebrates, shells and other touchables in the sensory awareness area. The self-contained mobile exhibit is a 14-wheeler trailer truck. Join King Fisher Fleet for their Charlotte Harbor Sunset Cruise (see boat tours).
Directions: Fishermen’s Village is in Punta Gorda, Charlotte County.
Take Exit 164 from I-75, travel three miles west and watch for
Fishermen’s Village on the right side.
Saturday, September 29, from 10 a.m. to noon
During this fourth annual event organized by People for Trees, children will be invited to “follow the raindrop” in an interactive activity that involves raindrops (marbles) making their way to an estuary. Many other activities are planned including a “tree-mendous” sing-along and a “tree-mendous” hayride. Food will be available. 941/426-9752
Directions: The event is held at the Dallas White Park on Greenwood Ave in North Port.
Sarasota Conservation: A 25-Year Perspective With County Commissioner Jon Thaxton
Saturday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to noon
Crowley Museum and Nature Center will host this talk with Commissioner Thaxton.
Registration: Please call 941/322-1000 to RSVP.
Directions: From I-75 Exit 210 at Fruitville Rd/SR 780 in Sarasota, travel east 11 miles to the stop sign. Turn right onto Myakka Rd and proceed 2.5 miles to the Crowley Museum and Nature Center at 16405 Myakka Rd. The entrance is on the left. (Note: Myakka Road doglegs several times – stay with the main, paved road until you see Crowley sign.)
Duette Preserve Conifer Celebration *
Saturday, October 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
You bring the enthusiasm, we’ll bring the gardening tools and plants! We’re in need of some trees – longleaf pines that is – at Duette Preserve. Help restore the native uplands habitat by planting new native longleaf pines. We’ll be working in the “footprint” of the ancient longleaf pine forests that once dominated the preserve’s 25,000 acres. Your hard work will help restore the historical forest! Bring the entire family to help out your conservation lands!
Registration: Contact Melissa Cain at 941/748-4501, ext. 4605.
Directions: From I-75, take SR 64 exit, travel east on SR 64 approximately 45–60 minutes, turn left on Duette Rd and left on Rawls Rd. The event will begin by the first building on your left.
Coral Creek Kayak/Canoe Adventure & Picnic *
Sunday, October 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join Lemon Bay Conservancy for a brief history of Coral Creek as a tributary to Charlotte Harbor and as a drinking water source. Talks will begin at 10, 11 and noon.
Registration: Call 941/475-9021 to register by October 3. There is no charge for this event but donations to Lemon Bay Conservancy, the local land trust, will be appreciated.
Directions: Take CR 776 to CR 775/Placida Rd in Charlotte County south to Grande Tours, located south of the Boca Grande Causeway.
“Ding” Darling Days and Family Fun Day
October 8 to 14; Family Fun Day is Sunday, October 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NOTE: Harbor Happenings had the wrong day (Saturday) but not the wrong date (October 14).
Birding and kayaking tours, environmental speaks, nature photography contest, Junior
Duck Stamp Awards and showings of historical films about Darling’s life will be held throughout the week. Enjoy nature activities for the entire family during the Family Fun Day with free refuge tram tours, live animal presentations, a butterfly house, conservation exhibits and more. Talks will be given throughout the day. Family Fun Day is a free event but the Sanibel Causeway toll is $6/car. For more details, visit www.dingdarlingdays.com or call 239/472-1100.
Directions: The refuge is located on Sanibel in Lee County. Once on Sanibel Island, turn right on Periwinkle Blvd, right on Tarpon Bay Rd, left on Sanibel-Captiva Rd.
The refuge is on the right, approximately two miles from this last intersection.
Managing Lakes in Polk County, A Lakes Management Conference *
Tuesday, October 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This conference will provide the opportunity to hear information from agencies concerned about the health and management of our lakes.
Registration: Contact 863/221-5323 or lakeseducation@hotmail.com to register. There is a fee of $25 per person and the deadline is October 1.
Directions: The conference will be held at the Magnolia Building at 702 East Orange St in downtown Lakeland.
Estuaries Day Every Day at Bunche Beach
Saturday, October 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy a day of fun-filled information about estuaries from local environmental groups with birding at its best (8 a.m.), kayaking (10:30 a.m. and noon) and walking tours of beach habitat (10 a.m. and noon). This event is offered by Lee County Parks & Recreation. Be sure to bring sunscreen, bug spray, old shoes, clothes to get wet, hats and a sense of humor.
Directions: San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve is located at the west end of John Morris Rd off Summerlin Rd on the way to Sanibel in Lee County. Parking is free. 239/707-3015 or 239/432-2158
Geocaching at Powell Creek Preserve *
Saturday, October 27, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Challenger Middle School and Lee County Parks are joining forces to host this program at Powell Creek Preserve (5601 Hart Rd) in North Fort Myers that mixes the natural environment (gopher tortoise habitat) with technology to identify where tortoises live. Participants should wear closed-toed shoes, long pants and sunscreen.
Registration: Space is limited to 25 participants. To register, call Sheryl at 239/549-7388 or email sthom51259@earthlink.net.
Directions: In northern Lee County about 0.3 miles north of Bayshore Rd and 0.75 miles east of Business US 41. From Bayshore, go north on Hart Rd for half a mile.
Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, October 27 to November 4
The festival that celebrates southwest Florida’s 100-mile marked paddling trail is set to again showcase the Great Calusa Blueway. This year’s festival will comprise a countywide series of events, including kayak fishing tournaments, canoe and kayak races, paddling demonstrations, guided tours and more. Festivalgoers and paddlers will be able to find and participate in a variety of activities across the trail, which meanders from its southern tip at Bonita Springs to its northernmost points around Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com.
Celebrate the Caloosahatchee *
Tuesday, October 30, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The free event at Riverside Community Center in Fort Myers includes a kayak demonstration, eco-information, area dignitaries, refreshments and more. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Lee County and the City of Fort Myers for Phase 3 of the Great Calusa Blueway. Directions: Riverside Community Center is located east of downtown Fort Myers at 3061 East Riverside Dr. 239/461-7126
Eighth Annual Regional Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival
Saturday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free Admission
Charlotte County Sports Park
– SR 776 in Port Charlotte, 2.5 miles west of US 41 –
Additional details are posted elsewhere on this website. For additional information, visit the festival web page.
Esperanza Woodring Memorial Cast Net Rodeo
Saturday, November 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free cast net lessons and demonstrations are provided, followed by youth and adult cast net competitions at this 14th annual rodeo. Educational information will be provided and tackle representatives will give seminars. For additional information, call 239/472-1618 or visit www.thebaitbox.com. Registration is required to participate in the cast net competition. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Solutions To Avoid Red Tide (START).
Directions: The Bait Box (1041 Periwinkle Way) on Sanibel, Lee County.After crossing the Sanibel Causeway (toll is $6/car), turn right onto Periwinkle Way at four-way stop. Go approximately ¼ mile and turn left into The Bait Box parking lot.
Literary Passage: Charlotte Harbor to Cabbage Key *
Saturday, September 29, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Take a daylong trip in Charlotte Harbor with a lunch stop at historic Cabbage Key Inn, built in 1938 as the winter home of mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart. A naturalist will comment on the wonders of the harbor and writers will share readings of nature poetry and prose inspired by the harbor environment. This seventh annual cruise on a King Fisher Fleet vessel docked at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda is offered by the Peace River Center for Writers and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.
Registration: There is a $25 charge; lunch is not included. Advance registration is required. Call 941/575-1976 for registration process.
Directions to King Fisher Fleet /Fishermen’s Village: Take Exit 164 from I-75 in Charlotte County, travel three miles west and watch for Fishermen’s Village on the right.
Charlotte Harbor Sunset Cruise
Saturday, September 29, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Sit back and enjoy the sunset over Charlotte Harbor while you tour the waterfront of Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor. The one-hour narrated tour with King Fisher Fleet is a great introduction to beautiful Charlotte Harbor.
Registration: No registration is necessary. In support of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, the ticket price has been reduced to $8.95 + tax, half price for children 3–11 and free for kids under age 3. Call 941/639-0969 for additional information.
Directions to King Fisher Fleet /Fishermen’s Village: Take Exit 164 from I-75 in Charlotte County, travel three miles west and watch for Fishermen’s Village on the right.
Lemon Bay and Stump Pass Watershed Nature Cruise *
Tuesday, October 2, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and from 10:30 a.m. to 1
Enjoy these guided cruises that will travel to natural creeks within
Lemon Bay then out to the Gulf of Mexico through Stump Pass.
Bring your own drinks, hat, sunscreen and binoculars. These free guided cruises are offered by Charlotte County Natural Resources Division.
Registration: Call 941/764-4360 to register for this free event. Seating is limited to 20 people on each cruise.
Directions: The boat will leave from Leverock’s Restaurant (7092 Placida Rd) in Placida, Charlotte County. From the south, take SR 776 north, left onto Gasparilla Rd (SR 771) to Leverock’s Restaurant on the left. From the north, take SR 776 south, right on Placida Rd
(SR 775) to Leverock’s Restaurant on the right.
Myakka Wild and Scenic River Canoe
Saturday, September 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join a Myakka River State Park biologist on an ecological tour of the Myakka Wild and Scenic River — one of only three scenic rivers in Florida. Paddlers will travel through Big Flats and into Lower Myakka Lake, exploring Deep Hole and learning about the river’s wildlife and plants, hydrology, environmental sensitivities and the park’s commitment to resource management in this unique ecosystem. Bring your own canoe or kayak, hat, sunscreen, ample water, lunch, insect repellent, binoculars and whistle. Participants should have an intermediate level of paddling experience and stamina. Life jackets are required. Be prepared to get wet and muddy. This paddle is offered by Myakka River State Park.
Registration: Space is limited, reservations are required. Call 941/486-2052 to register for this free program and receive directions. The park entrance fee is $5 per car.
Saturday, September 22, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Join The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), in cooperation with Captiva Kayak Company, and explore the waters adjacent to Buck Key within the Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve, discussing the ecology and human history of the back bay estuary and the research work of SCCF Marine Laboratory. Using very stable tandem kayaks, no paddling experience is required, just a willing spirit and sense of adventure.
Registration: There is a $35/person charge. Call 239/472-2329 to register or for more information. Space is limited so reservations are required. Detailed directions to Captiva Kayak and necessary items to bring will be explained when reservations are made.
Directions: Meet at Captiva Kayak Company in McCarthy’s Marina off Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva in Lee County.
Saturday, September 29, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join Estero Bay Buddies and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program on the Buddies’ fourth annual canoe/kayak paddle on one of three guided trips on the Estero River upstream and downstream from the Estero River Outfitters. Beginner paddlers should arrive by 10 a.m. for instructions and will canoe/kayak upstream for an hour, leaving at 10:30 a.m. Intermediate paddlers should arrive by 9 a.m. and will also canoe/kayak upstream for an hour, leaving at
9:30 a.m. Advanced paddlers should arrive at 8 a.m. and will travel downstream to Estero Bay for a four-hour trip, leaving at 8:30 a.m. Each participant will be asked to sign a waiver before the trip.
Registration: There is a $10 charge. Call 239/992-4050 by September 29 to register those in your party and to give kayak/canoe and trip preferences. Space is limited.
Directions: Estero River Outfitters (20991 South Tamiami Trail) is located 1/4 mile north of Corkscrew Road on US 41 in Estero, Lee County,
Paddle the Peace River in Arcadia *
Saturday, October 6, from 8 to 11 a.m.
Enjoy this free guided paddle with DeSoto County Parks and Recreation Ranger Lorna Ransom. You’ll see a more natural stretch of the river on this paddle, spotting wading birds, barred owls and alligators along the way. Bring your own supplies (water, sunscreen, etc.) and you can bring your own canoe or kayak. The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is pleased to sponsor this free canoe trip.
Registration: Call 863/491-5333 to participate. The number of participants is limited by canoe availability and expertise. You’ll be asked to sign a waiver.
Directions: Meet at Canoe Outpost located in Arcadia (DeSoto County) on CR 661. Canoe Outpost is off SR 70, west of SR 72 where it joins with SR 70.
Coral Creek – Cape Haze Estuary Day Paddle *
Sunday, October 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join the Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves on their fifth annual canoe/kayak paddle at Cape Haze. Paddle along the shallow mangrove shorelines of Gasparilla Sound and Cape Haze Aquatic Preserves. Advanced and intermediate paddlers will launch at 8:30 for Catfish Creek. Advanced paddlers will continue to Mound Key for the complete four-hour, round-trip paddle. Beginners will launch at 9:30 to explore the East Branch of Coral Creek, which leads into the northern interior of the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Highlights of all three paddles will include a close look at mangrove shoreline, seagrasses, oyster bar communities and the opportunity to view magnificent coastal birds. All paddlers must return to the launch site by 12:30.
Registration: There is a $15 charge for FCHAP members ($5 for members who bring their own kayak) and $20 for nonmembers. Children under 16 are free but must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. This fee includes refreshments and kayak instructions for novices. Advance registration is required. Call 941/575-5861 ext 105 for registration forms and information. Alternate date in the event of bad weather is November 11.
Directions to Grande Tours: In Charlotte County, drive south on CR 771/Gasparilla Rd approximately 8 miles to Placida. Turn east (right) into the entrance of Grande Tours (12575 Placida Rd) just after CR 771 and 775 merge and before the stoplight near the Boca Grande Causeway.
Matlacha Pass Estuary Day Paddle *
Sunday, November 18, from 8:30 A.M. to noon
Join the Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves on their seventh annual canoe/kayak paddle through the meandering tidal creeks and mangrove forest of Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. The shallow waters of the estuary support mangroves, seagrass beds, mudflats and oyster bars, which provide habitat and foraging areas for fish, crabs, shrimp, wading birds, sea turtles, marine mammals and other aquatic critters. Easy, intermediate and advanced paddling options are available. All paddlers must return to the launch site by noon.
Registration: There is a $15 charge for FCHAP members ($5 for members who bring their own kayak) and $20 for nonmembers. Children under 16 are free but must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak. This fee includes maps, refreshments and kayak instructions for novices. Advance registration is required. Call 941/575-5861 ext 105 for registration forms and information. Alternate date in the event of bad weather is December 2.
Directions: Matlacha Community Park (4577 Pine Island Rd NW/SR 78) entrance is next to the Mulletville Restaurant on the south side of Pine Island Rd. Matlacha is located between Cape Coral and Little Pine Island in Lee County.
The Lovers Key State Park Guided Walk
Friday, September 28, from 10 to 11 a.m.
This program takes participants on a leisurely mile-long walk through the estuary and along the beach at Lovers Key State Park in Lee County to explore what washes ashore at night and witness the wildlife that makes estuaries and beaches unique.
Registration: Register by calling 239/463-4588
Directions: I-75 to Bonita Beach Rd (Exit 116); west on Bonita Beach Rd approximately 10.5 miles. The park entrance is one mile north of New Pass at 8700 Estero Blvd.
Sunday, September 29
Enjoy naturalists on guided boardwalk tour at 9:30 A.M. and guided wetwalk tour at 10 A.M. at the beautiful Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, a Lee County Parks and Recreation site.
Registration: The boardwalk tour is free with paid parking, no registration is required. The wetwalk tour is $5 for those 12 and older, but includes parking. Registration is required by calling 239/461-7440 or online at www.leeparks.org.
Directions: From I-75, take Exit 131, turn west then north on Six Mile Cypress Parkway. The preserve is on the east side of the road.
Sunday, October 7, from 8:30 to approximately 10:30 a.m.
Pack up your binoculars and field guides and set out across Little Pine Island with staff from Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park and the ecologist from Kevin L. Erwin Consulting Ecologist who monitors the birds and wildlife on this 4,700-acre preserve. Look for fall migrants, raptors, wading birds and shorebirds. Learn about the ecology of the high marsh – the interface between upland pine flatwoods and mangrove shoreline – and its importance to bird populations. Mariner Properties Development, Inc. has removed exotic plants and restored the hydrology of this now thriving wetland. Since some areas are wet and muddy, wear long pants and sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Bring a cold drink and insect repellent.
Registration: Call 941/575-5861 to register for this free event. Advance registration is required.
Directions: Little Pine Island is located on Pine Island Rd/SR 78 between Matlacha and Pine Island in Lee County. The entrance is one mile west of the outskirts of Matlacha. A Mariner Properties Wetland Restoration sign is visible near the entrance. Park in front of the security fence.
Oyster Creek Regional Park Nature Walk *
Tuesday, October 17, from 8 to 10 a.m.
Join a naturalist from Charlotte County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources for a guided walk at Oyster Creek Regional Park. For more information, contact Tina Powell at 941/625-7529 or Tina.Powell@CharlotteFL.com.
Directions: SR 776/McCall Rd to San Casa Blvd in Charlotte County.
Take a Wet Walk on the Wild Side *
Saturday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to noon
This is a three-mile, three-hour hike at CREW Land & Water Trust along the edge of the 5,000-acre sawgrass marsh during the height of the rainy season. Come see the headwaters of the Corkscrew watershed that feed into the Estero Bay by way of Corkscrew Sanctuary and the Imperial River. The elusive pine lilies will be blooming, along with goldenrods and other fall wildflowers, and the water will be cool and wet as you explore this wonderful wetland.
Registration: Call 239/657-2253 to preregister. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated.
Directions to 4600 Collier County Road 850 (Gate 1): Travel 18 miles east of I-75 from Exit 123; trailhead is on the right but not marked on the highway. Look for a recessed grassy parking area and the CREW Marsh Hiking Trails sign at the entrance.
CHNEP is pleased to sponsor wading trips throughout the year.
Lovers Key State Park Wading Trip
Saturday, September 29, from noon to 2
Explore the life of the estuary and seagrasses. Collect specimens ranging from sea horses to hermit crabs and examine them through our special viewing scopes. Limited number of nets provided.
Registration: Register by calling 239/463-4588
Directions: I-75 to Bonita Beach Rd (Exit 116); west on Bonita Beach Rd approximately 10.5 miles. The park entrance is one mile north of New Pass at 8700 Estero Blvd.
Mucking About in Pine Island Sound *
Saturday, October 13, from 9:15 to approximately 11:30 A.M.
Join staff from Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and wade into the shallow waters of Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve to explore the ecology of a southwest Florida estuary during the morning’s low tide. Search for crabs, whelks, conchs, snails and scallops hidden throughout patches of seagrass and sandy bottoms. Observe pulsating tube feet of a sea star. Seining and cast netting will be demonstrated. Pack a dip net, hand lens, field guides, snorkeling gear, old tennis shoes or diving booties (no flip-flops or sandals please), swimsuits or shorts. Be sure to bring a cold drink, sunscreen, sunglasses and a towel. This wading trip is organized by the Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and sponsored by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.
Registration: Everyone is welcome but an adult must accompany children under 18. Call 941/575-5861 to register for this free event.
Directions to Battey’s Landing at Pineland on Pine Island: From SR 78/Pine Island Rd drive west through the waterfront community of Matlacha to the four-way stop at Pine Island Center. Turn north (right) onto Stringfellow Rd toward Bokeelia. Turn west (left) onto Pineland Rd, which winds around and merges with Waterfront Drive. Park along the road near Battey’s Landing.
One out of every three acres of America’s land – 600 million acres – is public land. Consider spending a day of your time preserving it.
Charlotte County and Lee County Coastal Cleanups **
Saturday, September 15, at many sites throughout Charlotte and Lee counties
Volunteers of all ages are needed to help in this international grassroots effort to rid our coastlines of litter, pollution and debris. The annual cleanups, which are coordinated locally by Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc. and Keep Charlotte Beautiful, are organized internationally by the Ocean Conservancy. The goals of the project are to remove and record unsightly and environmentally harmful debris from Florida’s coastline and waterways and raise public awareness about this preventable litter problem. Volunteers will be asked to record the amounts and types of debris they collect, using provided data cards. The data is part of the vital research needed to ultimately prevent illegal and improper disposal of solid waste.
Registration: For more information or to register for Lee County cleanups, contact
239/334-3488, klcb32@cs.com, www.klcb.org. For more information or to register for
Charlotte County cleanups, contact 941/764-4390, Glenda.Anderson@charlottefl.com,
www.keepcharlottebeautiful.org.
Sunday, October 28, from 8 a.m. to noon
The goals of the cleanup are to remove unsightly and environmentally harmful fishing line and marine debris from the waterways and mangroves of Lee County. In order to raise public awareness about this preventable litter problem and the life-threatening circumstances it poses for marine life, the volunteers will spend their morning cleaning up the mess carelessly left by others. More than 200 boaters, kayakers and jet skiers are expected to launch their boats and physically remove the floating debris and monofilament fishing line.
Registration: To register or for more information, contact the Keep Lee County Beautiful office at 239/334-3488 or email at klcb32@cs.com or visit www.klcb.org.