 |
|
Walking the raised trails in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
|
NAPLES ECOTOURISM
One of the popular spots for family fun is found at Carribbean Gardens, a 52-acre botanical and zoological preserve. Here you will find endangered plant and animal species from tigers to gazelles along nature paths. Primate expedition cruises, a petting farm, a playground, new Australian Outback exhibit; Safari Canyon where I watched in fascination the multimedia demonstrations that reinforce the live action of the tigers being put through their paces. Video monitors are actually built into the canyon theater and visitors witness the most comprehensive wildlife presentation in the U.S. If you are lucky, you may meet "Safari Jane". Today Nancy Jane Tetzlaff continues the vision of her late husband "Jungle Larry" by introducing children and adults to the wonders of our planet.
 |
|
One of the ambassadors waiting to greet you at Caribbean Gardens.
|
If you're a nature lover your next stop should be Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, an 11,000 acre preserve that is the "crown jewel" of National Audubon Society's sanctuary system. There is a 2.25 mile boardwalk to meander along. We were lucky enough to see a big owl peering down at us from the ancient cypress trees.
A variety of day-tours of many of the area's parks are provided by Orchids and Egrets Ecotours. Located in the heart of Naples is the Conservancy of Southwest Florida's Nature Center. It features a Museum of Natural History with land and aquatic habitats, a rehabilitation center for more than 100 species if birds, mammals and reptiles annually, and trail and boat tours through a mangrove forest which are offered daily.
