By Pam Nicholls, GSAC Board Member
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The hum of traffic along the Tamiami Trail is ever-present, but it does not seem to bother the residents of The Naples Preserve. The 9 ½ acre scrub community, on the corner of US 41 and Fleishmann Blvd, is home to about one hundred gopher tortoises, a family of coyotes, and a fluctuating number of butterflies, six-lined racerunners, and pileated woodpeckers. It is the last, large upland area in the City, and its acquisition was funded by Citizens of the City of Naples in 2000.
During the 25 years since it was saved for preservation, hundreds of hours have been spent removing exotic vegetation (and a large amount of trash), restoring the scrub, renovating the eco-center, and constructing a 0.4 mile long boardwalk which winds its way through this little urban oasis.
Free guided tours can be arranged any day of the week (except for Tuesday) by emailing Recreation Coordinator Becky Speer rspeer@naplesgov.com. Becky is a font of information and an entertaining and enthusiastic guide.
Naples Preserve also has a full program of free nature/history talks on Tuesdays at 10am during January through March. “Eat Pond Scum” (January 13) and “Carnivorous Plants of Florida” (January 27) are among the offerings. The Preserve’s big event of the year is, of course, Gopher Tortoise Day, which takes place 9am-noon on January 31 and features door prizes, activities, and a scavenger hunt for youngsters.
