Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Before living green became a catch phrase, many communities around Southwest Florida had taken steps towards eco-friendliness through preservation, the creation of nature trails, and rebuilding habitats. But now the preservationists in Lee County are taking their green ideas into architecture and landscaping. The Six Mile Cypress Slough is one example.  By using rapidly renewable construction materials and practicing water conservation, The Interpretative Center at the Slough teaches visitors about what they will encounter on the boardwalk and shows how building green can sustain our plant and wildlife. The center even offers building and remodeling ideas that visitors can take home. The importance of eco-friendly construction is amplified by the Calusa Nature Center, which is a living museum of Florida wildlife. One facet of the multitude of habitats guests will encounter is a butterfly aviary.  Here, experts show nature enthusiasts which plants will work best in their backyards to attract and breed butterflies. Greening-up our community begins with a little public effort.  And local projects with an eco-friendly twist are a win-win situation for all.

Resources:

http://www.calusanature.com/
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

http://www.naba.org/
The North American Butterfly Association

http://www.leeparks.org/sixmile/
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

http://www.sloughpreserve.org/
The Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, a non-profit advocacy group for the preserve and The Interpretive Center

http://www.conservancy.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=406&srcid=-2
Conservancy of Southwest Florida