The Matanzas Pass Preserve one a few natural preserves still in existence was a sample of what Florida used to be. Pass the populated over developed stretch of Fort Myers Beach lies a haven for the mangroves that once bordered the entirety of Estero Bay. Bordering a small elementary lies one portable, and a wooden post with "Matanzas Pass Preserve" inscribed in all bright yellow text. Upon entering you receive your first taste of this bookmark in time. A small bridge takes you over what is mainly red mangroves. In this environment I feel an calmness, or serenity. The noises I hear are rustling of leaves with small animals making their way through the daily routine.
The landscape has been shaped in many ways. The preserve has been split into three main categories Mangrove Loop, Coconut Trail, and Caloosa Loop. Each area shapes it's environment differently. The Mangroves work as a gate between land and Estero Bay. The Mangrove tree is and adaptation of a normal tree with the ability to take in ground water and saline water. A normal tree could not process saline therefore this tree could be looked at as a guardian. For the most part Matanzas Mangrove Loop looked very lively and healthy.
After I passed the Overlook I saw the livelihood of the Mangroves sharply declining. From the research I gathered this was caused by hyper salinity. Hyper salinity is an over abundance of saline water pushing freshwater back. The Mangrove relies on an balanced intake of both forms of water. Another strong factor to condition of the Mangroves was that it was filled with water, a few weeks before summer/rain season was here this area would be very dry. The typography allowed a healthy separation of woods from mangroves as the underground water filtration needs to change. Unfortunately spoil piles which were extremely elevated allowed the growth of exotic plants that effected much of the preserve's life forms. These would be removed in 1996.
The five tree species I saw were Oak Hammock, West Indian Mahogany. Australian Pine, Groundsel Tree, and Portia Tree. Five non-woody plants I saw were the mangrove spiderlily, Chandelier plants, Tree seaside oxeye, Devil's Backbone, and Sea grape. A list of five birds I saw included Great egret, Blue heren, Osprey, Mockingbird, and a White Ibis. I did not see any fish, or amphibians. I did however see many Green anoles, and Mangrove tree crabs.
A unique fact I found is that the name origin of the name Matanzas has been lost in time. The word literally translates to slaughter in spanish had I known that I might have selected a different location. As one of the guides I read explains this name could be derived from Ponce de Leon's troops battling local natives Calusas. I experienced my own personal slaughter on this site as mosquitoes, and sand flies tore me apart.
From what I have read online the Matanzas Pass was never threatened to be built upon, the only human presence was the creation of Foot trails. The preserve eventually was modified to start dealing with mosquito breeding control by draining of canals. In 1996 Lee County took control of the preserve from the Nature Conservancy group. At this time removal of exotic plants that were pushing away native lifeforms were removed.
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