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Adding an eco-attraction to the itinerary doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming in Lee County, and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve makes a great recommendation for nature fans on a tight budget or schedule. The Six Mile Cypress Slough (pronounced “slew”) consists of 2,500 acres of wetlands that are home to a diverse population of plants and animals, including at least 10 endangered species.
According to the preserve’s Web site, “The Slough is a natural drainage-way, collecting runoff water from a 33 square-mile watershed area during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall. During the wet season (June through October), a depth of 2 to 3 feet of water makes the Slough comparable to a wide, shallow stream. This fresh water flows southwest through the Slough and empties into the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve.” Located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway, 1.5 miles west of Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, this wetland preserve is “around the corner from most places,” says Mary Rude, a supervisor and interpretive naturalist. Visitors can take a quick walk on the fully accessible 1.2-mile boardwalk or spend hours participating in a wide variety of programs and perusing the new interpretive center. “It’s so beautiful,” Rude says. “Come to the center, take a walk and bring a picnic lunch.” The beginning of the year is an ideal time to visit. In addition to the mild weather so prevalent during January, February and March, it is during these months that the preserve offers guided tours on the boardwalk twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The 1.5-hour tours are led by trained volunteers who help visitors spot the preserve's unique features and wildlife including alligators, birds and other wildlife. There are also “moonlight walks” that allow visitors the rare opportunity to stroll the boardwalk under a full moon. A schedule and pre-registration instructions can be found at www.leeparks.org/sixmile, along with additional information for planning a trip. Those who skip the tour can take a crash course on their own by visiting the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve interpretive center that opened in April. There they will encounter dynamic educational new displays that were installed in November. The displays teach visitors about the sights and sounds of the preserve to help them fully understand the environment they will experience. The 11,000-square-foot interpretative center is also a unique attraction because of its eco-friendly construction. In fact, it is Lee County’s first public green building. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve hosts more than 100,000 visitors a year, and in 2008 people from 37 different states and five different countries signed its guest book. Those who want to be counted among them can visit seven days a week between 8 a.m. and sunset. The interpretive center is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday, 12 - 4 p.m. The only cost is a donation of $1 per hour for parking, and there is a $5 maximum charge for the day. For more information, visit the Web site or call (239) 533-7550.
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