With the many wonderful parks, beaches, and preserves, you can learn about the environment as you immerse yourself in outdoor experiences. Some parks and preserves, such as Manatee Park and Lakes Park, both in Fort Myers, provide helpful plaques to read and learn about the wildlife and plant life you might enjoy on your outing. Lee County Parks & Recreation also offers plaques and information stations at other Lee County parks and preserves. During certain days of the week and during the season, The Berne Davis Gardens in Fort Myers offer self-guided tours. Find out more at fmlcgardencouncil.com.

For guided nature walks, one can check out the 3,500-acre Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers, which offers free guided walks on a regular basis.  Walkers will learn about the plants and wildlife that call the Preserve “home”. The guided walk is free with paid parking. 

Those who enjoy finding out more about the beaches, shells, and living mollusks, can enjoy a guided beach walk, aka Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls—thanks to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel. Jorden Falker, Associate Director of Education, explains, “A beach walk is a great educational opportunity for people of all ages, and provides a hands-on experience of searching for shells and living mollusks. Our expert educators not only help participants search for shells, but also educate about mollusks and other beach life, including echinoderms, crustaceans, and plants.”

January is an excellent time to explore the outdoors as the weather is cooler, the sun is less brutal, and the bugs are at bay, well, more or less. Plus, “You never know what you might find in the winter months! All of our beach walks are unique because each day the beach holds something new. No matter what you find, you can expect to learn about mollusks, their anatomy, habitats, and why they're so important to our local ecosystems,” adds Falker.  

The beach walks take place at Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel. Tickets are $10/adult, $5/Museum Member adult/$5 child (17 and under). Parking is not included.  Capacity is limited. Pre-registration is required. Find out more at https://shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/field-education

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