Field Trips
The Friends organization is thrilled to offer guided field trips as part of the membership benefits. These trips are designed to enhance members’ experience and provide an opportunity to explore new places, learn from knowledgeable guides, and connect with other members who share environmental interests.
Become a member and take advantage of this benefit. You will not only discover new places, you will also create lasting memories with fellow members.
Mark the date(s) and check our field trip webpage to stay informed on newly organized trips. Number of participants is limited to 15, unless otherwise noted.
The Stewarding the Slough field trip is fully booked with 25 interested participants on the waitlist.
PREVIOUS FRIENDS FIELD TRIPS
2026
January - Bird Walk – CREW Flint Pen Strand
Guides: Dick Brewer and Barbara Centola
February - Lee County Recycling Facility Fort Myers, FL
Guides: Multiple
March - “Stewarding the Slough”, Six Mile Cypress North
Guide: Greg Kosik, Natural Resources Manager
2025
January – “Old Florida”, Daniels Preserve at Spanish Creek, Alva
Guide: Ranger Rob
February – Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) - Hospital Tour, Sanibel, FL
Guide: Brittnay Laster, Education and Outreach Coordinator
March – “Weed Walk and Talk”, Prairie Pines Preserve
Guide: Amanda Adams
April – CREW Flint Pen Strand
Guide: Robin Serne
May – Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Guide: Sally Stein
August – FGCU Wet Walk
Guide: William Greene
August – Shell Museum Tour, Sanibel
September – Mound House Archaeological Site and Grounds Tour
October – “Bug Walk”, CREW Marsh Trails
Guide: Dr. Joyce Fassbender
November – SCCF, Sanibel
Guide: Jenny Evans
2024
January - Archbold Biological Station Tour, Venus, FL
Guide: multiple
February - Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East, North Fort Myers - “Share and Learn”
March - ”Hydric Pine Flatwoods” – Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Guide: Rick Bauer, Supervisor, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
April - Wading Trip in Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, Fort Myers, FL
Guide: Gabriella Pearl, Environmental Specialist
May - FGCU Food Forest, Fort Myers, FL
Guide: Angel Kelley, Food Forest Coordinator
June - “Old Florida”, kayak tour, Punta Gorda, FL
Guide: Ranger Rob, Interpretive Naturalist
August – Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) - Hospital Tour, Sanibel, FL
Guide: Brittnay Laster, Education and Outreach Coordinator
September - Lee County Recycling Facility, Fort Myers, FL
Guide: Kylar Johnson, Recycling Coordinator
November - Lee County Mosquito Control, Fort Myers, FL
Guide: multiple
2023
January - “Snake Walk” - Six Mile Cypress Preserve North
Guide: Rick Bauer, Supervisor, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
February - “Discover Hickey’s Creek” - Hickey’s Creek Mitigation Park
Guide: Mickey Miller
February - FGCU Water School
March - Kayak Trip at Big Cypress Preserve
March - “Invasive Species” - Morgan Hill
Guide: Rick Bauer, Supervisor, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
April - “Mushrooms” - Caloosahatchee Creeks Regional Park
Guide: David Outerbridge, Director, IFAS Extension Lee County
May - “Swallow-tailed Kites” - CREW Cypress Dome
Guide: Angel Kelley, Education Coordinator
June - Lee County Emergency Operations Center
Guide: Kathy Cahill, Emergency Management Coordinator
July - “Mushrooms - the Return” - Caloosahatchee Creeks Regional Park
Guide: David Outerbridge, Director, IFAS Extension Lee County
August - Lee County Mosquito Control
Guides: Multiple
September - “Butterfly Gardening” - Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Presenter: Donna Cressman
October - “Bird Migration” - Lakes Regional Park
Guide: Dr. Jose Padilla-Lopez, Lee County Bird Patrol
November - ECHO Global Farm Tour
December - “Shorebirds”- Bunche Beach Preserve
Guide: Robin Serne, Shorebird Biologist & SWFL Audubon Shorebird Steward
December - “Tram Ride and Swamp Walk” - Fakahatchee Strand State Park
Guides: Ginny and Andy Skok