The Paul E Holton Eco Preserve and Accredited Arboretum

New Designation

This new status was acclaimed with a ribbon cutting and proclamation during Earth Day Celebration, April 26, 2025.

This campus met the standards for accreditation by ArbNet, the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta, by demonstrating its dedication to tree science, conservation, and public access. More than 40 different species of tree are labeled around the pond and along the paths. All the trees are either native to southwest Florida or non-invasives from similar climates.

Earth Day festivities included a dramatic presentation of Dr. Seuss’s classic, The Lorax (the character who “speaks for the trees”) and tours of the grounds including a wooded path and a meditative labyrinth walk.

Management

The 9-member Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Myers oversees the activities and property of the campus.  https://www.uucfm.org The Vice-President of Operations is tasked with issues relating to maintenance and improvement of the property.  Issues relating to money are delegated to the treasurer and to the finance committee.  An ad hoc group known as the Futures Team was tasked with finding ways to bring our campus to the attention of the larger community that surrounds us.  The arboretum idea emerged from their work.

In all areas, the Board works with the minister who might be considered the CEO.

Campus Partners

There are also several partners on campus. They help to plan community events and take a hands-on role in property maintenance.  These partners regularly meet on our campus.  They are:

• Southwest Florida RESET Center
• CUUPS Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, who maintain a labyrinth on the property
• Scouts (a troop meets on the campus). Our wooded path was refurbished as an Eagle Scout project

History

The Eco Preserve was founded as a community-service project of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Myers, Florida. Through the vision of the church, and the generosity of Paul Holton, founder of Holton Foods, Chicago, Illinois, the preserve became a reality. Mr. Holton gave the property to UUCFM in 1997. In April 2003, it was named and dedicated to honor Mr. Holton. Until his death in 2006, Paul Holton shared his enthusiasm and remained committed to advancing our goals to provide a native, Southwest Florida habitat that helps children and their families love nature and live lightly on the earth. In 2006, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Myers committed to be a Green Sanctuary.  For several years the eco-preserve ran a program for children using a curriculum they developed called Earth Wonders.  The status as Accredited Arboretum is the latest step in the property’s evolution.