Hurricane Ian Update
Dear friends,
The staff and volunteers at the Randell Research Center send healing thoughts to our local and regional neighbors and entire community of support following the devastating toll of Hurricane Ian.
We will post the latest news and updates on our Hurricane Ian recovery page.
As of Wednesday, January 11, 2023, a limited portion (1000 feet) of the the Calusa Heritage Trail is open daily for self-guided visits from sunrise to sunset. We are still cleaning up the site from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian. Access to the tops of the mounds and the foot bridge are prohibited at this time. Please follow on-site signage and stay on marked paths. Thank you!
- Memorial Day – October 31st: Our gift shop will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. Our classroom will generally be open on the same days and times unless we have a special event that requires the use of the classroom.
- November 1st – Memorial Day: Our gift shop will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Our classroom will generally be open on the same days and times unless we have a special event that requires the use of the classroom.
We look forward to seeing you all again soon and serving the greater southwest Florida community.
Sincerely,
The Randell Research Center Team
The Randell Research Center (RRC) is a program of the Florida Museum of Natural History. We are dedicated to teaching the archaeology, history, and ecology of southwest Florida. Our motto is, “As we learn, we teach.”
Situated on the scenic western shore of historic Pine Island, the RRC encompasses 67 acres at the heart of the Pineland archaeological site, a massive shell mound site extending across more than 100 acres from the mangrove coastline.
The Calusa were once the most powerful people in all of south Florida. For many centuries, they accumulated huge shell mounds, engineered canals, and sustained tens of thousands of people from the fish and shellfish found in the rich estuaries west and south of Fort Myers. All that is left of their culture today is a dwindling number of shell mound sites dotting the estuarine landscape between Charlotte Harbor and the Ten Thousand Islands region of the Everglades.
Visitors can tour this internationally significant site and learn about Calusa culture and their environment on the Calusa Heritage Trail.
Video by: Into Nature Films / Videographer: Jennifer Brown
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