Nancy Olson at the Volunteer Appreciation event April 14. PROVIDED

Back in 2005, on her first weekend in Fort Myers after moving from her native Michigan, Nancy Olson came across a sign while riding her bicycle. It directed her to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

She’s been going in that direction ever since.

After 13 years as a volunteer at the Slough, and five years as a member of the nonprofit Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Board of Directors, Olson has been elected as the Board president. She began her two-year term in March.

“I had no idea what a slough was but decided to go find out,” Olson said about encountering the sign at the corner of Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Daniels Boulevard.

“I love everything I do at the Slough, and love that there are so many ways to volunteer there. I love being on the boardwalk and doing what we call roving … just walking and answering people’s questions.”

Nancy Olson on a Friends Wet Walk. PROVIDED

She added that she especially likes to train new volunteers.

Olson succeeds Sabine Vandenhende as the Board president. Vandenhende, who served two two-year terms, remains on the 10-member Board.

Before retiring to Southwest Florida, Olson worked as a certified public accountant after graduating from the University of Michigan.

When not at the Slough, she enjoys pickleball, bicycling, hiking, and working in the garden. She manages the butterfly garden in her Pelican Preserve community with 15 volunteers.

The Friends organization’s mission is to preserve, protect and promote Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve for future generations through education and community partnerships. Information about the Friends’ history, purpose and events can be found on the group’s website.

Nancy Olson (left) with Friends Board Secretary Theresa Roake (center) and Board Treasurer Sara Maliva (right) at the Brew for the Slough fundraiser March 1. PROVIDED

Membership levels in the organization start at $10 for students and $25 for individuals. More information and the membership application is available at sloughpreserve.org.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is more than 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem with a boardwalk trail and Interpretive Center. Animals like otters, alligators, turtles, wading birds, and more live at the Slough year-round. Others, like migrating birds and butterflies, use the Slough as a feeding area or a winter home. The Slough is managed by the Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation and is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free with paid parking, which is $1 an hour or $5 daily.