A Nature Preserve
Operated by the Conservancy and part of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Briggs Nature Center, on Shell Island Road, off Florida 951 between U.S. 41 and Marco Island (tel. 239/775-8569; www.conservancy.org), has a .5-mile path on a boardwalk through a pristine example of Florida's disappearing scrublands, home to threatened scrub jays and gopher tortoises. Rangers lead a variety of nature excursions, and there is a self-guided canoe trail, with canoes for rent Tuesday through Saturday mornings (you must return them by 1pm) for $15 for the first 2 hours, $7.50 for each additional hour. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm. Admission to the boardwalk is $4 for adults, $2 for children 3 to 12. For information, contact the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Dr., Naples, FL 34102 (tel. 239/262-0304; fax 239/262-0672; www.conservancy.org).
