Journal Entry 6: Field Trip Marine Area- Estero Bay Historic Cottage and Matanzas Pass Preserve- Conservation 20/20

       The field trip to the Estero Bay Historic Cottage, and Matanzas Pass Preserve was amazing and interesting. When we first arrived we went to the Estero Bay Historic Cottage. A lady, who was actually a life-long resident, and had family here before her birth; gave us an amazing, and historical presentation on culture of the original inhabitants of Estero Bay, and Fort Myers Beach area. This area has completely changed from what it once was, it was not always a populated area for beach-goers, or tourists. At one point in time many of the people in this area worked as fisherman, or trapped different species of fish in the Estero Bay. Also, before that many Indians, such as the Calusa inhabited this areas, and also similarly fished, and trapped fish in the bountiful, and rich fish areas of the Estero Bay. However, much has changed over the years, and now Fort Myers Beach, and Estero Bay is much different due to the arrival of more people, and development. It was also really amazing to understand that Capitva, and North Captiva were actually one island at one point in a time, but a major hurricane came and swept North Captiva off of Captiva Island, and forced a small pass in between the two islands. Its amazing to know how powerful nature can be to do something like this, and it shows you that nature still has the power to completely change things.
          Walking through the mangroves at Matanzas Pass Preserve was also amazing. Simply seeing nature mostly undisturbed, and all the sights, sounds, and smells that come with it is an experience in itself. The mangroves are everywhere, all types of mangroves. You really see how vital these mangrove ecosystems are to so many fish, wildlife, and vegetation. They help filter the water, and also provide a protective environment for juvenile fish, and acts as a nursery for fish. Also, some predatory fish utilize this environment for the bountiful bait fish that hang around the mangroves. It is truly a vital habitat for many animals, and ecosystems.
          It is amazing to walk through the mangroves at Matanzas Pass Preserve. You get a great perspective of how this environment was before the tourists, development, and general masses of people. You also get an idea of how vital the mangroves are for a wide variety of species, and plants. It is an extremely rich, and bountiful habitat that is so vital to many species of wildlife, fish, and plants. It also greatly filters the water. Everyone should experience the Matanzas Pass Preserve, and the rich history of the surrounding Estero Bay Historic Cottage to get an understanding of the local ecosystem, and how our ecosystem was before people.