The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a 3,500 acre

wetland A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, either permanently (for years or decades) or seasonally (for weeks or months). Flooding results in oxygen-free (anoxic) processes prevailing, especially in the soils. The ...

, located in Fort Myers,

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

, which filters rainwater on its way towards Estero Bay. The preserve contains a 1.2-mile boardwalk trail, interpretive center, and amphitheater. The

slough Slough () is a town and unparished area in the unitary authority of the same name in Berkshire, England, bordering west London. It lies in the Thames Valley, west of central London and north-east of Reading, at the intersection of the M4 ...

is a nine mile long, one-third of a mile wide, wildlife corridor, providing a safe way for animals to travel within the Fort Myers city limits. A 57-square-mile watershed drains into the slough. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve boardwalk hours are from dawn to dusk year-round. The Interpretive Center hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The parking fee is $1 per hour per vehicle, maximum $5 for the day. Lee County Annual Parking Stickers are accepted at this location.

History

The Monday Group, a Fort Myers high school environmental class, went door-to-door, petitioning that Lee County residents raise their own taxes to purchase and protect the slough as a preserve. As a result, the students gathered enough signatures for a referendum to be placed on the ballot in 1976.

The Importance of Conservation

The wetlands at Six Mile Cypress are a vital part of the ecosystem, providing clean water and serving as a natural flood control system. The wetlands are also habitats for plants and animals, including many endangered species. In addition, the wetlands provide a home to many species of migratory birds and are a critical stop on the Atlantic Flyway. With development on the rise, wetlands are under increased pressure, and many are destroyed every year. The wetlands at Six Mile Cypress are protected by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which works hard to protect and maintain the health of the wetlands. With more and more development happening in the area, the need for conservation is greater than ever.

References

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External links

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (Official site)
Wetlands of Florida