If you appreciate the outdoors and happen to be here because you value the beauty and diversity of the area, then there is an experience available to you that you need to know about. It’s all made possible by the Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida, a consortium of local environmental groups whose mission is to increase science-based environmental understanding, conservation and restoration in the region.

The Council has developed a program featuring tours to highlight the areas natural assets. Realizing that these assets are the foundation of the area’s economy and define its quality of life, the Council strives to inspire outdoor sports and recreation as well as art and culture.

The Council has established itself as the community's hub of environmental leadership by working with leading science-based environmental, non-profit and governmental organizations, including environmental scientists, educators and natural resource managers.

One of the organization's first projects was a Watershed Mobile Phone Tour. The tour describes and highlights important elements of the area’s watershed and can be accessed for free by phone from anywhere. An audio message gives listeners facts about the local watershed and ways to help protect it. A list of the locations and phone numbers can be found on the organizations Website at http://www.scienceandenvironment.org/projects/mobile-phone-tour/ .

There currently are a total of 30 stops on the tour. More locations are being added every year. From a location dial 941-926-6813 and enter the stop number. It’s also possible to take a virtual tour by clicking on a map number on the Website to play the audio.

The most recent addition to the Councils programs is a project called ((ecko)) which focusses on ecotourism. Realizing that southwest Florida's natural environment is the foundation of our economy and quality of life, the group has developed a number of tours aimed at exposing tourists and locals to some of the area’s superlative natural resources. All-inclusive tours showcase the Gulf coast's spectacular natural diversity and cultural heritage by combining education, exploration, and relaxation.

Here are a few multi-day all-inclusive ecotours – Wild Myakka: biking, paddling and primitive camping along the Myakka River. The exclusive tour provides an opportunity to kayak, hike, bike and camp the Myakka River State Park and the wilderness. The tour includes concierge camping during the four-day, four-night adventure.

Tour dates are available in January, February and March.

Gulf Coast Florida Birding is offered in February and May and features trips to four of the area’s top birding destinations as well as all other amenities. You’ll get to kayak, attend a private birding photography workshop and lots more.

In addition there is also the Inspired Sarasota Bay Tour in January and May and the Manatee River of Time Tour in February and June. During all of the tours, you’ll be accompanied by professional naturalists, biologists, maritime historians and master naturalists. You’ll have the opportunity to hike, bike, and kayak into the natural world in a one of a kind experience that will provide a lifetime of memories. For complete details and video introductions, visit http://www.eckotours.com/.