There will be a ground breaking ceremony and nature tour on Thursday, Feb. 3 at Harns Marsh, according to the East County Water Control District.

The guided nature tour will begin at 9 a.m. and the ground breaking ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.

Refreshments and light foods will be served to those who attend.

“Join us as we try our best to spot some of the area’s wildlife and to celebrate the ground breaking for two East County Water Control District replacement water control structures and three critical weirs.

The structures help to regulate the flow of water into the marsh and eventually the Orange River, said David Lindsay, the executive director of the ECWCD.

“Come experience one of Southwest Florida’s best-kept secrets – a 578-acre preserve known as Harns Marsh. Nestled between Sunshine Blvd. and Buckingham Air Park in Lehigh Acres, Harns Marsh is one of the area’s major retention/ detention areas as well as a lush wildlife habitat, said Carla Ulakovic, a spokeswoman with the ECWCD, in a release given to the press.

Designed in 1981, Harns Marsh works to reduce flooding of East County Water Control District’s downstream neighbors.

She said the Harns Marsh Phase II Improvements will allow the District to improve water quality, recharge the local groundwater aquifers, and continue to work toward alleviating flooding on the Orange River.

To get to the site from Lee Blvd., head north on Sunshine Blvd, turn left on Olive Ave. N., then left on W. 38th St. and continue west to the Marsh entrance.

For more information contact: Carla Ulakovic at carlau@ecwcd.com or call 239-368-0044 Ext. 17.