Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve

To protect, enhance, and educate about the Preserve

ATTENTION!!

The preserve is currently closed due to major damage to the boardwalk incurred by Hurricane Ian.

Lee County Parks and Recreation is currently working on replacing/repairing the severely damaged boardwalk. In the meantime, we hope to have access to the primitive walking trails in the near future. The amphitheater seating area at the entrance of the Preserve is accessible and can be used.

POST HURRICANE CLEAN-UP

On November 9th 2024, the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve collaborated with the Estero Island Historic Society for a productive workday, gathering around 25-30 volunteers eager to help.

The team collected a truckload of horticultural debris from recent hurricanes and cleared significant trash from around the cottage and the Preserve's perimeter, enhancing the area's natural beauty.

Located on Fort Myers Beach, the Matanzas Pass Preserve is vital for preserving local plants and animals. We thank all the volunteers for their time and support in protecting this natural treasure!

(Pics Below)

A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a pile of trash.

A group of people are standing in front of a dump truck.

A group of people are standing around a pile of wood.

Installation of Native Plant Garden

In August of 2024, Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve with collaboration of the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society https://www.fnpscoccoloba.org/ and the help of community volunteers, installed a native plant butterfly demonstration garden at the entrance of the Preserve. Unfortunately, in October of that year, the garden sustained significant damage due to flooding from Hurricane Milton. A few plants survived and are currently thriving. Work is ongoing to restore the garden.

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The Matanzas Pass Preserve

The Matanzas Pass Preserve is located on the seven-mile long barrier island of Estero in the town of Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The 60 acre preserve runs along Matanzas Pass and is one of the few undeveloped, protected areas on the island. As such it offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience Estero Island as it was before becoming the popular beach resort that it is today.

Natural plant communities make up the preserve (take a virtual tour of each community by clicking on it's name): maritime hammock, tidal swamp, Black Mangrove forest, and Beach Ridge. The natural plant communities and shady hammock support a variety of wildlife both on land and in Estero Bay. In each plant community, there exists a wide variety of native plants. Many of the plants are unique to the Preserve and include Wild Cotton, Jamaican Caper, Florida Mayten, and Cat Claw. To view a list of the plants found in the Matanzas Pass Preserve, click here.

There is also a diversity of wildlife including raccoons, rabbits, hawks, owls, turtles, snakes, herons, fish, and songbirds. All of these may be seen while traversing the 1.25 miles of boardwalks and trails within the 60 acre preserve. To view a list of wildlife species present at the Preserve Click here

A path in the middle of a forest surrounded by trees and palm trees.

The Matanzas Pass Preserve offers many educational opportunities including guided nature walks, ethnobotanical tours and children's educational programs. All tours and programs are currently on hold.

Directions: After accessing Estero Island/Fort Myers Beach via the Sky Bridge,
continue south on Estero Blvd. for approximately 1.1 miles. Turn left on Bay Street at the the Fort Myers Beach Library. Follow Bay Street to the dead end where the Preserve parking lot is located adjacent to the Historic Cottage. The entrance to the Preserve is immediately in front of you. ENJOY!

A map showing the entrance , parking lot , library , and historic cottage.

An aerial view of a map of a park with a river in the background.

A map of the matanzas pass preserve trail

A brochure for mitanzas pass preserve shows a map and a bridge.

A page of text with a picture of a bridge on it.

A brochure with qr codes and a picture of a group of people walking on a trail.

About the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve

Matanzas Pass Preserve is an independent Preserve where all work activities are under the supervision of a designated Lee County Land Steward. The Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve (the "Friends") has been granted a tax exemption under the provisions of Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Friends are dedicated to the preservation, protection and enhancement of the natural and fragile beauty of the Preserve to create a legacy for future generations. Click here to download a copy of a brochure on the Preserve. We have a Board of Directors elected annually by the membership.