Barefoot Beach Preserve is 342 acres of natural land. It is one of the last undeveloped

barrier islands on the Southwest Florida coast. 8,200 feet of beach and sand dunes support the ‘

growth of sea oats, providing nesting sites for sea turtles during the summer months. The park

also maintains a tropical coastal hammock of sable palm, gumbo-limbo and sea grape trees

among many others. The site is also home to the protected gopher tortoise. (Barefoot Beach

Preserve County Park, 2015).

Barefoot Beach Preserve is a barrier island named Little Hickory Island. It creates a

barrier between land and the ocean. Barrier islands protect the mainland from the powerful

forces of wind, tides, currents, waves and the destruction of storms …show more content…
Barrier islands are an invaluable resource. It is important to know that although

they can constantly change, become badly eroded or even disappear completely, if they are left

alone, they can rebuild.

There are 5 different ecosystems found at Barefoot Beach Preserve. They are mentioned

on the sign at the beginning of the boardwalk. They are as follows: beach or littoral zone, dune

zone, coastal strand, maritime hammock and estuarine mangrove forest. The beach or littoral

zone is made of sand, and shaped by the wind, tides, waves and currents. The beach is sunny and

open with an elevation that varies with the tides. The dune zone is the sand that has piled up by

the wind and waves. They help protect the island while providing important habitat for the

shorebirds. This area is open with sea oats and beach grass. The elevation varies from the wind

and waves. The coastal strand is behind the dunes. This area is dominated by seagrape and is

well drained soil perfect for the protected gopher tortoise. It is an open area. The …show more content…
I did see a mangrove crab.

They also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon,

sheepshead, red drum, oysters and shrimp. Florida's recreational and commercial fisheries would

drastically decline without healthy mangrove forests. Many animals find refuge in either the

branches or roots of mangroves. Mangrove branches are nesting areas, for coastal birds such as

roseate spoonbills and brown pelicans.

As I started walking Saylor Trail, the sign gave the following information stated that this

area used to be a shell road. Many felt the area was an underutilized natural resource. In 1994,

this is when The Friends of Barefoot Beach, a non profit volunteer group, was born.. They

cleared the trail and it is still maintained by this group today. Alice Saylor loved the trail and it

was her home away from home. Before her passing in 2003, some of the Friends suggested they

call this trail the Saylor Trail. And so it began.

Along the Saylor Trail, the Spanish Bayonet caught my attention. It has astonishing

flower spikes and sharp leaves. However, it was not in bloom this time of year. I also noticed