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...to the Town of Fort Myers Beach's VIRTUAL ECO-ARCHAEO TRAIL!
 Click here to view a video introduction by Ray Murphy, Mayor of Fort Myers Beach.
Great Blue Heron. Photo courtesy Calusa Coast Outfitters |
The Trail presents an integrated system linking environmental, cultural, and historical points of interest that can be experienced by residents and visitors to Estero Island and nearby points in Southwest Florida. Nature-based and Heritage tourism is now the fastest growing segment in Florida's tourism industry. Our goal is to help you plan, select and achieve a quality, memorable Eco/Heritage tourism experience during your visit to Fort Myers Beach.
Calusa Indian Child with Shark. Drawing by Merald Clark, FMNH |
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has preserved significant examples of native landscapes and ecosystems, historical and archaeological sites, and ethnic and cultural traditions that represent its diverse geography, history, and cultural life. A multitude of resources form a wonderful offering of coastal and interior areas, including scenic wilderness and wildlife overlooks, Native American archaeological sites, botanical sites, beaches and aquatic preserves, parks and open spaces, working landscapes, historical sites, museums and other cultural attractions. Phase I of the trail system is now being developed, and includes scenic roadways, bike trails and nature trails throughout Estero Island, and water trails through the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve that link the offerings. Throughout your journey, as you trek across the cyber-pages of our VIRTUAL ECO-ARCHAEO TRAIL, look for special notes about the current status and accessibility of each site or attraction.
We believe that the Town of Fort Myers Beach ECO-ARCHAEO TRAIL will help promote a sense of place, preserve community heritage elements, and improve access to the aquatic preserve and other natural, scenic vistas.
Bottlenose Dolphin. Photo courtesy Project Pod, Joël Bellucci |
Our area attractions are working hard to provide a diverse array of fun and educational opportunities through interpretive signage, brochures, land-based and on-the-water nature-based and heritage tourism experiences. We want you, our residents and our visitors alike, to feel connected to these natural, coastal, historical and cultural resources in ways which will provide recreational enjoyment, educational appreciation, and promote the sustainability of these vital, non-renewable resources.
So, WELCOME!! Enjoy your walk down the VIRTUAL ECO-ARCHAEO TRAIL!
And, please, send us your comments via the following email address: janeen@ci.fort-myers-beach.fl.us.
This site was created by the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Funds for additional media and content have been generously provided by the Lee County Tourist Development Council.
Special thanks to:
Marsha Segal-George, Joël Bellucci, Terry Cain and Arden Arrington.
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
Florida Museum of Natural History
Florida Park Service
Lee County Parks and Recreation
Lee Island Coast Visitor and Convention Bureau
Scanning and digital editing for panoramas,
slideshows and streaming media: Joel Bellucci
Photography for panoramas, slideshows and
streaming media: Arden Arrington, Joel Bellucci, Eve Haverfield
Links to area hotels, attractions and organizations are provided as a service to persons interested in heritage and nature-based opportunities in and around Estero Island. Inclusion of information and/or links to the services found within this Site does not imply promotion of one provider over another by the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
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