.The city of fort myers florida has a wealth of history surrounding its’ development from early Indian settlement to bustling southern city.  A visit to the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium blends the unique natural history of the area with an insight into natural science and earth.  If you would like to see the nature of Florida up close, go to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve , 2,200 acres of wetland and home to many endangered plants and animals.  Here you can take daily guided walks or explore by yourself along the boardwalk trail.  The manatee is probably Florida’s most famous ocean resident and is one of the symbols of Florida.  You can see them in the wild at Manatee World, a conservation and research center.  This area is home to one of the largest populations of wild manatees in SW Florida in the winter months, due to the naturally warm waters in this part of the river.