A public premiere is planned at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 for a film FGCU students produced about the history of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Conservation 20/20.
As part of a civic engagement class project, the students conducted interviews with key historical players who helped to protect the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, establishing it more than 40 years ago as one of Lee County’s earliest conservation areas. The film also includes interviews with local conservation advocates who proposed a referendum in 1996 that established the Conservation 20/20 program, Lee County’s current preservation land management and acquisition program. The program returned to the ballot as a nonbinding referendum for voters in November 2016, receiving 84 percent majority support.
The 25-minute film also includes footage of wildlife and natural scenes within the slough and several Conservation 20/20 preserves.
Following the screening, the students will be joined by staff from Conservation 20/20 and Lee County’s Parks & Recreation Department to discuss the film and answer questions.
The free screening is at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Interpretive Center, 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers. Reservations are required due to limited space. Call Conservation 20/20 Coordinator Jason Boeckman at 239-204-1125 to make a reservation.