Looking to add great native plants to your yard or community?
Interested in volunteering or visiting River Oaks Preserve?
Just stop by! Stop on Tuesdays or Sundays between 9 and 1.
Use "River Oaks Preserve" in your mapping software for best results. You can only enter the preserve from Broadway Ave E. (The address is 9541 Broadway Ave E, Estero, FL 33928)
Feel free to shop, stroll or visit with like-minded people. Please wear closed-toe shoes if you plan to hike. Long pants are a good idea, too.
Look for more places to purchase native plants under the EDUCATION AND RESOURCES tab.
Do you need additional information?
Look through this website or call (239) 273-8945.
Use "River Oaks Preserve" in your mapping software for best results. You can only enter the preserve from Broadway Ave E. (The address is 9541 Broadway Ave E, Estero, FL 33928)
Feel free to shop, stroll or visit with like-minded people. Please wear closed-toe shoes if you plan to hike. Long pants are a good idea, too.
Look for more places to purchase native plants under the EDUCATION AND RESOURCES tab.
Do you need additional information?
Look through this website or call (239) 273-8945.
Foraging Field Trip with Amanda Adams
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 9-11
Please note that events with limited availability have been filling up quickly. So, please don’t delay registering for these events. If you cannot make it, please cancel your reservation so others may take your spot. If the events are full and you want to participate, please either join the waitlist or check back often for a cancelation.
Edison Ford Winter Estates Spring Garden Festival
February 14-15, 2026 | 9 AM - 4 PM
We are featuring South Florida slash pine trees at our table and will have fun Lee County Division of Natural Resources goodies. Contact us if you want to help. Otherwise, visit us!
February 14-15, 2026 | 9 AM - 4 PM
We are featuring South Florida slash pine trees at our table and will have fun Lee County Division of Natural Resources goodies. Contact us if you want to help. Otherwise, visit us!
The annual Spring Garden Festival will feature garden vendors with exotic and native plants and trees for sale, in addition to food trucks and live music.
Once again, Lee County Division of Natural Resources and the local Florida Native Plant Society chapters will host a table together. We will be featuring South Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa), or, as we like to call them, “emotional support trees.” Please stop by to visit us at this Edison Ford Winter Estates event.
Once again, Lee County Division of Natural Resources and the local Florida Native Plant Society chapters will host a table together. We will be featuring South Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa), or, as we like to call them, “emotional support trees.” Please stop by to visit us at this Edison Ford Winter Estates event.
Author Talk and Field Day
February 25 and 26, 2026
Bobby Hattaway, Author of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of Southwest Florida will visit us on Wednesday, February 25 at 10 to explain his new book and his easier method for identifying native plants. Then, at the Field Day on Thursday, February 26 at 1 pm, he will lead us through River Oaks Preserve for hands-on plant ID.
Both events are FREE, but Thursdays field day will require one book for each team of two. The pairs will work together to key plants.
February 25 and 26, 2026
Bobby Hattaway, Author of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of Southwest Florida will visit us on Wednesday, February 25 at 10 to explain his new book and his easier method for identifying native plants. Then, at the Field Day on Thursday, February 26 at 1 pm, he will lead us through River Oaks Preserve for hands-on plant ID.
Both events are FREE, but Thursdays field day will require one book for each team of two. The pairs will work together to key plants.
Marco Island Nature Night
March 5, 2026, 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Council Chambers
March 5, 2026, 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Council Chambers
Some of our favorite Videos:
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When a very young gopher tortoise meets a giant named Kyle ...
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A scene from River Oaks Preserve in May 2025
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This video was created by FGCU Civic Engagement students who participated in our first Adopt-A-Burrow. These students weeded, planted, watered and nurtured the area around the burrow to maximize the habitat for the resident gopher tortoise. As they progressed with the project, the gopher tortoise started "supervising" their work by hanging out on the apron of the burrow. Their final project was creating this video.
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In case you missed it, this was video captured by Philip Buchanan after a quick, but heavy January rainstorm at River Oaks Preserve.
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Find Of The Month
Click each picture for more information
Community Partners
Our outreach is possible with the generous support of our sponsors!
Our outreach is possible with the generous support of our sponsors!
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