A Message from our President-January 2014

 Hello Southwest Florida NABA Members,

 We are very fortunate to have these beautiful natural areas and hope you will be able to participate in one or many of these walks.

 I want to make you aware of guided  walks that will be held every Saturday during Jan, Feb and March on 4 Conservation 20-20 properties
 
GUIDED NATURE WALKS 

CONSERVATION 20/20 PRESERVES  

Guided nature walks are provided by Conservation 20/20 volunteers on 
Saturdays during the winter season, between January - March. Parking is free 
and no fee or registration is required. Please remember to bring items you may 
need during the walk (i.e. water, hat, sunscreen, binoculars, camera, closed-toed 
shoes or boots, etc.). 
All walks meet in the parking lots and are scheduled from: 
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. 

 1st Saturday, Prairie Pines - Jan 4, Feb 1 & March 1 
 18400 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers 
Trail Length: 1/2 mile - Degree of Difficulty: Easy 
Restroom facility on-site 
You’ve driven past, now stop to explore the wonders of this 2650-acre preserve. Get to know 
some of the plants and animals that call the preserve home. Questions? Call 707-2206 for 
more info. 
 
2nd Saturday, Caloosahatchee Creeks (east) - Jan 11, Feb 8 & March 8 
10130 Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers 
Trail Length:1/4 mile - Degree of Difficulty: Easy 
Restroom facility on-site 
Traverse wetland, oak hammock, and pine flatwoods on ADA-compliant boardwalk and trail 
while learning more about the birds, butterflies, and plants that call this home. Visit one small 
section of a 1290-acre wilderness oasis that includes nature trails, scenic observation areas, 
and picnic pavilions. Questions? Call 707-0862 for more info. 
 
3rd Saturday, Wild Turkey Strand - Jan 18, Feb 15 & March 15 
11901 Rod & Gun Club Rd., Fort Myers 
Trail Length: 1.8 miles - Degree of Difficulty: Moderate 
Restroom facility on-site 
Just south of Lehigh Acres, this 3,137-acre preserve sits atop portions of the former 
Buckingham Army Air Field, the state's largest airfield training base during World War II. Walk 
a 1.8 mile trail that blends nature and history via boardwalks, observation decks overlooking 
wetlands, and interpretive panels describing the gunnery training that once took place here. Questions? Call 707-3325 for more info.  
 
4th Saturday, Pine Island Flatwoods - Jan 25, Feb 22 & March 22 
6351 Stringfellow Rd., St. James City 
Trail Length: 1.12 miles - Degree of Difficulty: Moderate 
No restroom facility on-site 
Pine Island is one of a couple of locations in Lee County where you will see naturalized 
Longleaf pines. The tall, stately tree once covered 30 to 60 million acres of the southeastern 
United States Coastal Plain, but 200 years of logging and land clearing have greatly reduced its range. Fire plays a 
major role in the development of this community, and is essential to the survival of many of the animals dependent on 
this habitat, the gopher tortoise being a primary example. This 920-acre preserve nearly spans the width of the island. 
Questions? Call 707-8251 for more info. 

http://www.conservation2020.org/PublishingImages/other/GuidedWalks.jpg

Happy Trails, 

Gayle Edwards 

 
 Top 5 Garden Tips from NABA Certified Butterfly Gardeners
  • Never use pesticides; butterflies and their caterpillars may be killed.
  • Mulch around all plants, which will lessen the amount of water that plants need and at the same time, may provide shelter for some types of caterpillars.
  • Plant as many types of regionally native plants as possible, while eliminating any plants that are invasive.
  • Incorporate large rocks or gravel areas into gardens to provide basking spots.
  • Use rainbarrels catch rain from house gutters to reuse in garden. While not specific to butterfly gardening, rainbarrels are a growing trend with water conscious gardeners.