Charlie Vavrina and Marlene Rodak | The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
It’s Tuesday morning and Florida Gulf Coast University students are arriving at River Oaks Preserve to earn required Service-Learning hours. They are greeted by a volunteer who quickly puts them to work. Today, the ground is moist from a soaking rain, so students will be installing native plants in selected areas. They pull exotic weeds first, observe a planting demonstration, and then plant pineland heliotrope, Keys blackbead, limber caper, teabush, firebush and more.
After the Village of Estero purchased the 10-acre parcel in May 2022, it selected The Coccoloba Chapter of the statewide Florida Native Plant Society to manage it and an adjacent two-acre right-of-way. One goal of the project is to restore and maintain valuable native Florida habitat for the enjoyment of residents. Additionally, a native plant nursery on site offers exciting new landscaping options for homeowners and community landscape committees. The parcel, which is bisected by the north branch of the Estero River, allows for better stormwater management and helps to prevent flooding.
Over the past three years, the all-volunteer, non-profit chapter has supervised the removal of invasive and exotic plants, established electrical service and a solar-powered irrigation system, set up retail and propagation nurseries, started a long-term planting program to restore natural habitats, mapped gopher tortoise burrows, and secured nearly $27,000 in USDA government funding. Hundreds of volunteers made this happen. Many of those volunteers were university students.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Had this parcel been paved over and developed, we, along with all the other native creatures here, would have lost a sliver of the real Florida habitat. This is especially true because so many of our developments use non-native plantings that do not support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that once were abundant in south Florida. Natural areas are also essential for human beings. Spending time in them has been linked to a host of psychological and social benefits including improved cognition, better mental health, increased empathy, and cooperation. And who doesn’t need more of that!
SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Well, you can sit by and complain about overdevelopment, or you can make a difference. Get outside and discover the real Florida. The real Florida has mature pines and massive live oak trees populated with resurrection fern and air plants. The real Florida also has small trees, shrubs, and ground covers that provide nesting sites, berries, seeds, and nectar for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Why not make space in your own yard for a bit of real Florida? Bring pictures of your yard or common space to the nursery at River Oaks Preserve and talk to the volunteers. They will provide free landscaping assistance and help you select plants to create the look and features you want. They will also refer you to other native plant nurseries in our area for a wider selection of plants. While you are at it, encourage your HOA to set aside or create natural areas.
Better yet, join the group of volunteers at the Preserve. Or even better, bring your volunteer organization out for a workday in our amazing location. There is so much to do and you will make lots of new friends.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR RIVER OAKS PRESERVE?
The development of River Oaks Preserve is at an early stage. Although the site is currently home to gopher tortoises, eastern cottontail rabbits, squirrels, many bird species, and bobcats, it has the potential to bring in additional species as more native plants are installed. As the natural landscape and restoration areas mature, you will experience the amazing aromas of fiddlewood trees, sweet acacias, Simpson’s stoppers, snowberry, and little strongbacks. Come see an abundance of southwest Florida birds and butterflies delighting in the Jamaica caper tree and scarlet hibiscus blooms. Where can you go to see that?
As planning begins for classroom space and necessary storage sheds, equipment, and supplies, slip on over for a peek. Want to explore like Ponce de Leon? Teach a class? Brainstorm with other volunteers? Take your youth group on a field trip? All of this is possible.
Preserving this sliver of land benefits area residents and the environment. The Preserve is a priceless resource right in the center of Estero. Kudos to the Village of Estero leadership for preserving this pristine land and for engaging an all-volunteer organization like the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society to manage it in the best way possible.
River Oaks Preserve is located at 9541 Broadway Ave E. It is open to the public on Sundays and Tuesdays from 9-1, or by appointment. The preserve is closed to the public other times. The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is a 501(C)(3) organization established in 2001. Their mission is to preserve, conserve, and restore native plants and native plant communities of Florida. Visit www.FNPSCoccoloba.org for more information.
