Harns Marsh, located in a secluded area between Lehigh Acres and Buckingham, is an ecological jewel few people have experienced. On Saturday, Jan. 15, dozens of people escaped the traffic congestion, crowded shopping malls and the noise of everyday life to discover the tranquility and beauty of Harns Marsh.

All came to participate in a clean-up at the marsh sponsored by several community and government organizations.

Those that participated received much more than they expected for their efforts.

Clayton Hadley, an amateur bird watcher and clean-up participant said, “I never knew this was here; it’s beautiful and it’s comparable to Ding Darling Preserve on Sanibel Island for birding.”

Harns March, almost 600 acres, is a stormwater retention and water filtration facility operated by East county Water Control District (EC WCD) to lessen the negative impacts of water discharges from Lehigh into the Orange River and ultimately the Caloosahatchee River.

The march is also home to dozens of bird species and other wildlife and recently has become well known to birdwatchers throughout South Florida as an ideal place to observe their feathered friends.

Within the boundaries of Harns Marsh are oak hammocks, cypress heads, a lake and of course, the marshland which serves as habitat to dozens of birds species including waterfowl, wading birds and predators such as osprey, various hawks and eagles.

George Szymanski, Westminster resident and Lehigh Acres Community Initiative Steering Committee member, said “clean-ups are usually hard work, but I feel rested after spending the morning working here at the march,. It’s beautiful. I never realized there was something like this in Lehigh.”

Harns Marsh serves our community and surrounding areas by buffering flood surges, providing pollution control, preserving wildlife habitat and green space.

It also is a great place to just get way, take a hike, observe nature and relax.

ECWCD had done a good job of managing Harns Marsh but the marsh has a greater potential for our community beyond what ECWCD can provide,.

Harns Marsh has potential for exceptional educational opportunities for our youth and providing a place for the public to enjoy.

We must preserve and enhance the ecological jewel in Lehigh,.

I want to tank ECWCD, Lee county Natural Resources, Keep Lehigh Acres Beautiful and especially those who gave of their time to help the marsh.