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Journey to Natural Florida

Take a Ride Down Rookery Bay’s Shell Island Road

hen people think of Rookery Bay The next habitat to encounter is a marsh at
National Estuarine Research Reserve, Briggs Boardwalk. The raised platform trail takes
W most think of beautiful waters, secret visitors past the scrub forests into a wetland
Rookery Bay Environmental islands, white sandy beaches or, perhaps, a boat area. Signs along the boardwalk inform on what
Learning Center ride. There is so much more to discover! Rookery animals and birds to be on the lookout for.
239-530-5972 Bay Research Reserve is made up of 110,000 acres The final part of the drive ends at what
th
Just 15 minutes from downtown Naples 5 Avenue area of land and water. The land areas of the reserve Rookery Bay Research Reserve is best known for
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113 are worth checking out. With a two-and half- - a bay surrounded by a natural mangrove habitat.
RookeryBay.org mile ride down Shell Island Road (just off south This secret spot is a favorite for local fisherman,
Facebook.com/FriendsofRookeryBay Collier Boulevard), visitors can explore a variety of bird watchers and nature lovers. It also boasts a
Instagram.com/friendsofrookerybay upland habitats and see the real, unaltered Florida kayaking trail for the adventurous to try. So, check
All Season Long firsthand. out the dry side of Rookery Bay Research Reserve.
RookeryBay.com/events Just turn down the road -a wilderness It makes for a magical trip back to nature and
RookeryBay.org/calendar appears that is very different from the manicured back in time to the real Florida!
Sign Up for the monthly e-newsletter neighborhoods and parks of Naples. A pinewood Some of the wildlife to see on
and scrub forest lays to the left and right that seem Shell Island Road:
Open
Tuesday - Saturday endless. This is how the natural land of Naples looks Osprey
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in its original state. Rookery Bay’s conservation staff White Tail Deer
work to protect native species and plants of this Green Anole
Tickets
$10 for adults area. Kiosks with informational signs along the road Gopher Tortoise
$5 for ages 4-12 explain how the conservation team uses prescribed Blue Crab
Children 3 and under are FREE fire to clear brush for wildlife to move easier and for Marsh Rabbit
native plants reliant on fire to flourish. Rat Snake
Visit Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center – Marine-life touch tanks, aquaria, three
loops of trails, scenic water overlook, displays, events, art gallery … fun for all ages!
Just 15 minutes from downtown Naples!

Visit RookeryBay.org
to learn more about upcoming
events and programs at the
Rookery Bay Environmental
Learning Center.
Also, Naturalist-led boat and
kayak eco-tours are available
all summer long!

Life in Naples | March 2025 79