A Community Engagement Association

Estero: Southwest Florida’s Best Kept Secret!

Nestled alongside the beautiful Estero Bay is the Village of Estero—a vibrant, thriving, and growing community that welcomes residents and visitors of all ages. Estero is an environmentally and health-conscious location, and its unique blend of history, nature, and vibrant living offers much. It provides a safe, relaxing, friendly, and inviting setting with casual and upscale dining, diverse entertainment, and recreational activities. You are sure to have many enjoyable and unforgettable experiences. It’s the place you want to be!

Education

Actively supporting and improving education in the Greater Estero area.

Environment

Educating residents on how we can protect and improve water quality

Community Health

Researching, publishing, and providing forums on current trends in healthcare.

Safety

Publishing original research and facilitating community feedback on safety issues facing our area. 

Upcoming Events

 

 

Recent Events

Climate Forum
September Meeting 2024: Improving Health Outcomes

Our Achievements

Over the years we’ve accomplished a lot as a completely volunteer organization. From local school and education initiatives, to working with community groups, to helping restore Estero historic buildings and monuments to working with FGCU on secondary educational iniatives, we’ve been hard at work and have accomplished some major achievements over 25-years. 

Public Forums and Meetings

Engage Estero has hosted public meetings with local decision-makers and experts to update residents and to provide an environment for questions and answers. Topics included so far include development, education, water quality, healthcare and more. Our community and membership meetings are always open to the public and we actively seek to provide informationon topics our residents care about most.

Protected the DR/GR

We collaborated with Lee County, environmental groups and developers to negotiate environmentally reasonable means of developing Corkscrew Shores in the DR/GR.

Incorporation of the Village of Estero

We coordinated all efforts resulting in the successful vote for the establishment of the Village of Estero. Work included initiating the feasibility study and charter and conducting public workshops to inform the community about the benefits of incorporation. We still advoate for improved services within the Village structure.

Averted 951 Interchange

The removal of CR 951 and Coconut Road interchange from the 2035 Transportation Plan due to its placement in environmentally sensitive lands.

Transportation victories

Our actions led to accelerated funding of the widening of Corkscrew Road east of I-75. Prevented funding of CR 951 between Bonita Beach Road and Alico Road between the Stonybrook and Wildcat Run communities through the Grandezza community.

Sponsor 2023 Breaking Par Gala

The LEAD Estero event which generated $106,000 Net Proceeds used for: 

  • $25,000 FGCU Endowment Fund
  • Held week-long Entrepreneur Leadership Camp at FGCU with 18 High School Students participating.
  • Provided 4 additional $1000 Scholarships in 2023 and more to come. 
  • Additional donations to various local student charities. 
  • Since 2013 Breaking Par has totaled $561,000 in net proceeds all for the betterment of education. 

Estero Historical Society Deck

Engage Estero donated $3,000 as an organization, and executed a fund-raising campaign that garnered over $20,000 to replace the ADA deck that provides access to both historical buildings.

Development of the Coconut Mall

We implemented high-quality design and architectural standards, including landscaping designs, in the original Estero Community Plan, which resulted in the one-of-a-kind Coconut Point Mall.

Estero Community Plan

We contributed to the update of the Estero Community Plan to protect the quality of life of the community.

We contributed to stopping the I-75 flyover overpass

Joining with other civic groups, we thwarted the construction of an I-75 flyover east of Coconut Road, avoiding disruption, additional noise, and potential loss of property values for several Estero Communities.

Defeated mining on Corkscrew Road

We helped convince the Lee County Board to deny permits for three major mines on Corkscrew Road. Mines impair adjacent wetlands, which protect us from flooding and further contaminating Estero Bay. Teaming up with our rural neighbors, we stopped our roads from being traveled by thousands of dump trucks.

We collect survey opinions

Our assistance resulted in the collection of 1,000 responses to the Estero needs assessment, and we shared the survey results with the Estero Village Council.

Secure Volunteers

Helped Lee County Schools to secure volunteers, implemented Junior Achievement programs in five Estero area schools, and to mentor students and veterans at Florida Gulf Coast University’ Institute for Entrepreneurship. We also provided volunteer “grandparents” to provide a listening ear and support for local students.

Prepared a Transition Book

Prepared a Transition Book to assist the new Village Council members as they took on the responsibilities transferred to them on March 17, 2015.

Monitor Planning and Zoning Matters

Communications to over 10,000 households significantly increased citizen participation in the Village’s Planning and Zoning Board and Design Review Boards activity.

Controlled Noise

We collaborated with the Grandezza Community and Lee County to minimize adverse noise and visual impacts of university community development south of FGCU.

Protect the Environment

We keep residents apprised of projects impacting our water quality and quantity, as well as area wildlife. Our targets included Estero on the River, Hertz Arena’ Weeks Fish Camp, and residential development and mining proposals in the Density Reduction/ Groundwater Resource area along east Corkscrew Road, inside and outside the Village boundaries.

Share Information on Healthcare Developments

We supported the development of Lee Health Coconut Point. We provided regular updates on the progress of the 172,000- square-foot Healthcare Village that opened on December 3, 2018.

Team up with Other Community Groups

Using our communication capabilities, we collaborate with community organizations, like the Koreshan State Historic Site, the Estero Historic Preservation Citizens’ Committee, and the Estero Art League, to strengthen their effectiveness.

Issue Warnings About Tropical Storms

At the Village’s request, we help inform residents about storm preparedness and emergency contact information in the event of a hurricane.

Sponsor Meetings as a Clearinghouse for Ideas

Engage Estero’s community and business representatives and the public participate in monthly meetings, unencumbered by Sunshine Law restrictions that can hobble Florida government bodies.

Extended Hours at Bonita Community Health Center

Engage Estero worked to extend the hours at the Bonita Community Health Center to better serve residents until the 24/7 emergency department was available in Estero.

We harness the Experience of Residents

Engage Estero members have decades of experience in governmental and civic matters that communities and citizens can access to guide Estero’s future.

Annual Scholarships to Students

Engage Estero, the Estero Historical Society, and the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce presented $1000 Scholarships on May 4, 2023, at the Seniors Awards Night at Estero High School Auditorium. Winners were based on student-submitted essays.

Original Research & Reports

Engage Estero compiles and publishes original research on important local issues throughout the year. The quarterly Greater Estero Community Report digs deep into important issues such as healthcare, education, development and the environment. We also keep an ongoing record of developments that will affect our area. Our councils publish informative articles to educate and update residents. 

Latest News & Original Articles

Check out our latest news & original articles sections for the latest information on what Engage Estero is working on at any given times, as well as information on Estero News and the matters and issues that matter to Estero residents. We’re working hard as an all-volunteer community organization and non-profit to bring all residents of Estero together to help steer our community in a great direction now and well-into the future.  

Community Pride: The Spirit of Estero Residents

Community Pride: The Spirit of Estero Residents

Over this last weekend, Engage Estero’s Adopt a Highway volunteers collected 700 pounds of bagged litter. This effort is conducted with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean Hwy 41 between the Vines entrance (Breckenridge Road) north of Walmart...

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Road Development Updates November 2024

Road Development Updates November 2024

Corkscrew Road Corkscrew Road Widening – Ben Hill Griffin to East side of Bella Terra The road widening and related utilities movement, Lee Department of Transport’s (LDOT’s) contractor, nears completion with Phase 1 (from Ben Hill Griffin Pkwy. to Bella Terra Blvd.)....

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Engage Estero Celebrates 25 Years of Impact in 2024

Engage Estero Celebrates 25 Years of Impact in 2024

Engage Estero: A Community Engagement Association, will be celebrating 25 years of service to the greater Estero area in 2024.Celebrating 25 YearsFormed as a grassroots organization of residential community leaders in 2004, the nonprofit organization (known as the...

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