Protecting Billy's Creek through education and promotion of its responsible use.

Figure 1
Billy's Creek

Billy's Creek:

Billy's Creek is a beautiful stream that flows through Fort Myers, Florida. It is perfect for kayaking, picnics, fishing, and small boats, but it needs to be properly maintained in order to be enjoyed. Friends of Billy's Creek is an all-volunteer organization of dedicated stakeholders who recognize the Creek as a precious and unique waterway. We regularly clean debris, discarded monofilament and dead vegetation from the waterway. We also hold community events, ecological tours, watercraft demonstrations and special water outings to promote responsible use of Billy's Creek. Friends of Billy's Creek has influenced the state of Florida to appropriate $500,000 for continued dredging and repair of Billy's Creek.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2009 Contact: Mary Rawl, Secretary, at 239-849-0964 Friends of Billy’s Creek Celebrates National Great Outdoors Month with Paddle Trip on the Creek Fort Myers, FL -- As part of National Great Outdoors Month, the Friends of Billy’s Creek (FOB) will sponsor a free kayak event for citizens interested in learning about the Creek on SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009, AT 9:00 AM at the Creek pavilion at the Rock Lake Resort, 2937 Palm Beach Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33916. All community members are invited to attend. Anyone with a kayak or canoe or small boat welcome to join the informal tour of the Creek. Kayaks will be available, please call or e-mail to RSVP (friendsofbillyscreek@googlegroups.com) and get a confirmation. Thanks to the generous support of the Claiborne and Ned Foulds Foundation, the group has kayaks available for their ongoing effort to educate the local community on watershed issues. Jerry Miller, President of the organization, says “We hope to offer monthly activities on the Creek now that we have our fleet of kayaks.” According to Mary Rawl, “Anyone who has not been on the Creek before will be amazed at the beautiful mangrove tunnels and the variety of wildlife, all in an urban setting. We would like to educate the local citizens about the watershed by touring the Creek itself. Only when you are on the Creek can you appreciate the beauty of this oasis of green and blue.” The Friends of Billy’s Creek is placing an emphasis on educating the underserved youth in our communities and is working with local groups to provide outdoor educational opportunities. “By heading outside and participating in any of the countless outdoor activities Florida’s natural areas have to offer, Floridians are helping their families achieve not only a better appreciation of nature, but a healthier lifestyle,” said Bob Wattendorf, Chairman of the Get Outdoors Florida! Coalition. “A myriad of state parks, greenways, trails, forests and management areas are available for your recreation, as well as federal parks, forests and refuges, not to mention all the local parks and your own backyard.” To learn about the Get Outdoors Florida Coalition, visit www.getoutdoorsflorida.com.