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

wetland A wetland is a distinct semi-aquatic ecosystem whose groundcovers are flooded or saturated in water, either permanently, for years or decades, or only seasonally. Flooding results in oxygen-poor ( anoxic) processes taking place, especially ...

, located in

Fort Myers A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lati ...

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

, 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 in Berkshire, England, in the Thames Valley, west of central London and north-east of Reading, at the intersection of the M4, M40 and M25 motorways. It is part of the historic county of Buckinghamshire. In 2021, the ...

is a nine mile long, one-third of a mile wide,

wildlife corridor A wildlife corridor, also known as a habitat corridor, or green corridor, is a designated area habitat (ecology), that connects wildlife populations that have been separated by human activities or structures, such as development, roads, or land ...

, providing a safe way for animals to travel within the

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

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