Estero River being choked by “Florida Holly”

The Estero River, a historic transportation artery turned recreational asset is being choked by invasive plants that have narrowed it to barely the width of a kayak in some spots. But help is coming.

Festive holly bushes may add a lot to the Christmas season, but in Estero, what looks like holly is actually an invasive, non-native plant that threatens to slowly strangle the Estero River, reducing its impact as a resource at the same time many in the community, from the village through which it runs and from afar, look to renew and preserve its historic importance.

Running from a few miles east of Interstate 75 to Estero Bay, the river provides most of the water-based recreational opportunities in the village of Estero. A valued resource and gateway to the Calusa Blueway, the river and its surrounding area are popular with dedicated naturalists and adventuring tourists seeking interaction with nature that is as much absorbing as it is picturesque.

It is also a resource that many would like to build on and preserve as a public space that adds a unique community experience to Estero, that is of nature rather than of man.