Evan Dean
•9/3/2026
At the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Lee County, a wet walk is a journey into the water – and into a hidden world. "You think about it, we've got a preserve that, half of it is in the city limits of Fort Myers,” Steve Parker said. “That's pretty remarkable." Parker is with the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, the non-profit that leads the walks. It’s a chance for people to trade in screens – to tap into their senses. “(You) can get mental clarity,” first-time wet walker Mike Barbato said. “Take a little mental health break from your day-to-day work on a computer or wherever you happen to be." The slough overflows with wildlife, though don’t worry – seeing a snake or gator is rare. The biggest hazards are cypress knees and tree roots that twist below the water’s surface. “Things like this walk, in nature, in the water. Are just an amazing way to connect with the slough,” Barbato said after the walk. The slough is 11 miles long by a third of a mile wide. Unlike all that surrounds it, it hasn’t changed over time. In the middle of it stands the ‘Grandfather Tree,’ which is believed to be 500 years old. The massive tree is a reminder that within the slough, what was there long before withstands. “We have to preserve our wetlands. They're dwindling,” Parker said. “We've got to keep them as much as we can.” Back in the 1970s, high school students led a push to do exactly that – preserve the land. It’s a story they still tell on walks today. It’s a mission they still believe in. “This is one of the last few undeveloped places in the area,” Barbato said. “We need to cherish that." The slough is a showcase of Florida’s changing seasons. In early May, it’s bone dry. But during the wet season it offers a critical service. Rainwater and runoff full of fertilizer flow slowly through the slough and is filtered on its way to Estero Bay. “It cleanses the water as it moves from the northernmost part of the slough down south,” Parker said. In a world that’s gotten so busy – so fast – the slough gives people an opportunity to simply slow down. "I know how important wetlands are to the environment. I know how important conservation is,” Parker said. “This place is, like, a symbol of that. An example. A shining example of how important these settings are." Wet walks help raise money for programs at the slough. They happen every August, September and October. If you’d like to step into one, click here. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
