Sense of Place IV Field Trip / IDS 3920 / Spring 2004


Estero Bay


  In 1966, Estero Bay was designated as Florida's first State Aquatic Preserve. Before it was claimed as a preserve, human encroachment and subsequent development changed the surrounding land and the bay's sustaining natural systems. Impacts began to accumulate rapidly and concerned citizens spoke up. At one point, preservation efforts led to Supreme Court intervention. Because of these early efforts, the bay is still home to myriad of marine life including bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. Still intact are critical habitat areas such as bird rookeries, seagrass beds, and the ever-important mangroves - the cradle of the sea. Since systems are connected, how much more human impact within and outside the preserve can the bay withstand? We will be visiting the San Carlos Island Shrimp Docks, Estero Island Historic Cottage and Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve, to explore issues of sustainability in our coastal backyard. With present uses, is Estero Bay sustainable?

  • Day and Time:  Check with your instructor
  • Destination:  Estero Island Historic Cottage or San Carlos Island Shrimp Docks.  Your instructor will inform you of your field trip starting place.
  • Directions to Estero Island Historic Cottage: From I-75, take Daniels Parkway exit (one exit north of FGCU exit) west to Six Mile Cypress Parkway, then turn left.  Follow Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., crossing U.S. 41, and continue to Summerlin Road. Turn left on Summerlin Rd.and follow to San Carlos Boulevard. Turn left on San Carlos Boulevard. Follow San Carlos Boulevard over Matanzas Pass Sky Bridge onto Fort Myers Beach. Follow Estero Boulevard south for approximately 1 to 1.5 miles to Bay Road. Fort Myers Beach Library (a two-story glass enclosed building) will be on the left hand corner. Follow road to dead end. Estero Island Historic Cottage parking lot is small so please park along road or in front of Beach Elementary School.

     Directions to San Carlos Island Shrimp Docks: From mainland, follow San Carlos Boulevard to foot of Matanzas Pass Sky Bridge. DO NOT GO OVER BRIDGE! Turn left onto Main Street. Follow Main Street around curve and turn right into Beach Seafood. Park on left.
     
  • What to wear: Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable shoes for walking (we will be on a board walk and we may be walking on wet floors).
  • What to bring: Journal, hat, sunscreen, bug repellent.

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Sense of Place IV
Field Trip to Estero Bay

 

Meet:  Day of your Class Nine, parking Lot #3 (car pooling is encouraged) 8:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m.,  or 4:50 p.m.

In 1966, Estero Bay was designated as Florida's first State Aquatic Preserve. Before it was claimed as a preserve, human encroachment and subsequent development changed the surrounding land and the bay's sustaining natural systems. Impacts began to accumulate rapidly and concerned citizens spoke up. At one point, preservation efforts led to Supreme Court intervention. Because of these early efforts, the bay is still home to myriad of marine life including bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. Still intact are critical habitat areas such as bird rookeries, seagrass beds, and the ever-important mangroves - the cradle of the sea. Since systems are connected, how much more human impact within and outside the preserve can the bay withstand? We will be visiting the San Carlos Island Shrimp Docks, Estero Island Historic Cottage and Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve, to explore issues of sustainability in our coastal backyard. With present uses, is Estero Bay sustainable?

Related Additional Field Trip Opportunities

  "Dolphin Encounter"- 3 hour boat trip to study Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and the ecology of Estero Bay. Underwater hydrophones are available to listen to dolphins' echolocation and communication. $20.00/student, call 463-3600 for reservations. $15.00 each/group of 6 or more, call Arden Arrington at Calusa Coast Outfitters, (941)332-0709.

Rookery Bay and Briggs Nature Center, State Road 951 to right on Shell Island Road, Naples. Phone: (941)417-6315.

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center-Alligator Creek Site, 10941 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda. Phone: (941)575-4800.
 
 

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