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Best Bets for Nature & the Outdoors
The Caloosahatchee and Estero rivers and the Gulf of Mexico converge to create coastal estuarine environments. Waters eddy to and fro’ around land masses crafted from the remnants of an undersea world. Plants and animals offer enough serenity for the serious birdwatcher and ample excitement to drag the kids away from the Playstation. Dolphins, manatees and alligators – oh my! – populate the warm waters and land creatures include the elusive, endangered Florida panther. Birds of all kinds of feathers flock to the area in fall, winter and spring.
 Hickey's Creek Mitigation Park |
An uplands ecosystem colors the flora and fauna in this largest of Lee County parks. Gopher tortoises share habitat here with the threatened Florida scrub jay.
 J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge |
Must-experience: Paddling Tarpon Bay on the stern-side of a witty and learned Tarpon Bay Explorers naturalist through canoe trails traveled hundreds of years ago by Calusa Indians. Examine a 10-year-old king conch and learn the fascinating workings of the mangrove forest.
 Sea turtle |
May 1 through October 31 marks the nesting season of the loggerhead sea turtle. In very rare instances, visitors can attend a turtle release with Turtle Time and watch the hatchlings make their way to their salty home.
 Manatee Park |
The West Indian manatee, known variously as sea cows and even mistaken for mermaids in days of yore, can be seen at Manatee Park from December to March. The rest of the year they find a haven in the canals at Lovers Key State Park.
 Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve |
Well, you’d think each of these ecological wonders would tire you out, but the boardwalks perched sensitively over these watersheds are each just over a mile long. Both are havens for native and visiting birds.
 Lakes Regional Park |
A tiny train takes young and old alike through a wild portion of this park that’s fun for the whole family. The impressive array of amenities includes fishing, boardwalks, nature trails and a kids’ water playground – a perfect way to cool off on a hot day.
 Florida panther |
Everglades Wonder Gardens is home to two female and two male Florida panthers, brought here for rehabilitation. There are thought to be less than 60 in the wild.
 Babcock Wilderness Adventures |
Take a bona fide swamp tour through pine flatwoods, freshwater marsh, a prairie – complete with Cracker cattle – and a cypress swamp.
 Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium |
An aviary, white-tailed deer, Sammy the Skunk and animal feedings with educational commentary make nature come alive here. The center’s planetarium exhibits the nature of the heavens and is the only one between Bradenton and Miami.
 Lovers Key State Park |
Hike the nature trail, rent a bike, paddle a tidal lagoon, lounge on the beach, surfcast with a view of Big Carlos Pass – even get married in a gazebo perched above the twinkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico at this state park gem.
If you go...
Babcock Wilderness Adventures, 941-637-0551, 800-500-5583, www.babcockwilderness.com
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 239-275-3435, www.calusanature.com
Everglades Wonder Gardens, 239-992-2591
Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, 239-574-7395
Hickey’s Creek Mitigation Park, 239-728-6240, www.leeparks.org
J.N. “Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 239-472-1100, www.fws.gov/dingdarling
Lakes Regional Park, 239-432-2006, www.leeparks.org
Lovers Key State Park, 239-463-4588, floridastateparks.org/loverskey/default.cfm
Manatee Park, 239-694-3537, www.leeparks.org
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, 239-432-2004, www.leeparks.org/sixmile
Tarpon Bay Explorers, 239-472-8900, www.tarponbayexplorers.com
Turtle Time, 239-481-5566, www.turtletime.org
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