Spirit-of-the-Wild is located south of the Caloosahatchee River and
about 40 miles northeast of Fort Myers. Its 7,000 plus acres are a part of a
growing mosaic of conservation lands undergoing long term,
state-of-the-art restoration to benefit the Florida panther, Florida
black bear and other protected species. The waters in marshy Canoe
Slough, flow north through the site to the Caloosahatchee River. The
natural communities at Spirit-of-the-Wild also help buffer the extensive
wetlands on the adjoining 32,162-acre Okaloacoochee Slough, an important
source of water for the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and the Big
Cypress National Preserve to the south. Over a century of flood control,
agriculture and cattle ranching activities have altered water flow and
the plant and animal communities in this region, yet the pine flatwoods,
pastures and wetlands at Spirit-of-the-Wild continue to attract a
variety of wildlife. The area is open year round for wildlife viewing,
hiking, biking, horseback riding and seasonal hunts. Visitors can travel
on a circuit of unpaved roads and catch glimpses of wading birds, wild
turkey, white-tailed deer and feral hog.
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