Protecting the Matanzas Pass Preserve with planting event

On Saturday, the Matanzas Pass Preserve teamed up with the Florida Native Plant Society to create an educational barrier island, grow native plants and a butterfly garden.

Matanzas Pass Preserve is a sixty-acre preserve located on the seven-mile-long barrier island of Estero.

The preserve is one of the few undeveloped, protected areas on the island, so all the planting done on Saturday will help make it grow into a space for all to continue to visit and learn from.

Terry Cain is the treasurer of the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve and he said he loves the community coming together to assist in reviving the area.

“We’re restoring the front planting area,” said Cain. “This planting area was always here. We did have native plants in here, the friends thought it would be a good idea if we put a native plant butterfly garden out front here…So it’s wonderful because it’s a community effort.”

There were plants donated by the local chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. There was also a grant given by the Fort Myer Beach Community Foundation to help cover the tools, mulch and soil.

With the help of volunteers who worked tirelessly under the sun, they all made this educational space come to life.

Marlene Rodak is the President of the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and she is looking forward to animals coming into the environment.

“We always need good examples of native plants and native plant gardens,” said Rodak. “And as we get this installed, we’re going to see butterflies and birds and a lot of wildlife coming into this area…and talk about some of the wildlife that it will attract.”

This is also a slow but steady step toward progress from the damage Hurricane Ian caused to Estero Island.

“We have boardwalks back there that are pretty destroyed, but this area we’re able to do so much better. I mean, it’s the slow progression forward. It’s been difficult for everybody on the beach, so just being able to do something progressive is good for the soul.”

To learn more about the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve click here.