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Ellen Peterson, 1923-2011

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See larger Activist Ellen Peterson at the Happehatchee ('Happy River') Center she founded in Estero. 'Now that I have white hair, people think they have to be polite to me,' she said.

Photo by LANCE SHEARER

Activist Ellen Peterson at the Happehatchee ("Happy River") Center she founded in Estero. "Now that I have white hair, people think they have to be polite to me," she said.

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  • Activist Ellen Peterson at the Happehatchee ('Happy River') Center she founded in Estero. 'Now that I have white hair, people think they have to be polite to me,' she said.
  • Ellen Peterson, with her dog Bella, pauses in May 2010 on the bridge spanning the Estero River at the Happehatchee Center in Estero. The bridge was built with sawn-off ends of roof trusses and cables scavenged from shrimp boats. Photo by Lance Shearer
  • Ellen Peterson Estero River activist stands on her suspension bridge high above the river that she has fought long to preserve in Estero on Monday. Peterson is now faced with developer JED of Southwest Florida plans to try and devlop the historic area around the river putting in commercial and resdential developments. Erik Kellar/Staff
  • Local environmentalist Ellen Peterson, known for her local work protecting the Florida panther and other endangered species, died at her Estero home Friday at age 87.
  • Ellen Peterson looks over a map of Babcock Ranch in October 2005 at the Lee County Commissioners' Chamber where she and members of the Sea of Green coalition came to oppose the proposed development and the purchase of the ranch in Lee County.
  • At age 80, Ellen Peterson is giving up on a 40-year quest to clear the entire 52 miles of Fisheating Creek to create a world-class canoe trail. Sitting at her favorite camping spot along the river, her quest ends April 10 when she must vacate the property and allow a new manager appointed by the state to take over. 'It's breaking my heart to see them coming in and doing this.' Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Ellen Peterson, 84, who owns almost five acres of property along the Estero River, wishes to turn her property into an interfaith spiritual center, called the Happehatchee Center, with the help of friends.
  • Ellen Peterson wore her heart on her bumper stickers. The back of her SUV, photographed in May 2010, offers a laundry list of the progressive causes for which she fights. Photo by Lance Shearer

Local environmentalist Ellen Peterson, known for her local work protecting the Florida panther and other endangered species, died at her Estero home Friday at age 87.

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