Update on The Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program

On November 3, 2020, seventy-seven percent (77 %) of Collier County residents voted to implement another 10-year ad valorem tax for the Program to continue to acquire land.

320 acres of conservation property have been purchased through the Conservation Collier program since the referendum was approved in 2020. As part of Acquisition Cycle 10, the following additions have been made to the following preserve areas, several of which are recent acquisitions:
Dr. Robert H. Gore III multi-parcel project area – 3.5 acres added for total 175 acres NEW Rivers Road – 20 acres added for a total of 96 acres 20 additional acres were added for a total of 28 acres in the Panther Walk multi-parcel project.
24 acres were added to the multi-parcel Red Maple Swamp project, bringing the total to 237 acres.
Project for multiple parcels at Winchester Head – 2 acres added for a total of 96 acres
Four of the preservation areas are multi-parcel initiatives, as was already mentioned. Multi-parcel projects are pre-defined locations where an acquisition boundary is set up in a certain area. During their meeting on February 28, 2023, the Board approved two new multi-parcel project areas. The two multi-parcel project areas that are now in place were created in 2004. Red Maple Swamp is 79% finished, and Winchester Head is at 61%.

In November 2022, the 256-acre North Belle Meade preserve was officially acquired. The Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved the Land Management Plan and name on April 25, 2023. When public right-of-way access is granted to the site in the future, this preserve will be opened to the public and restored to provide habitat for significant species in the area, such as the Florida panther and red-cockaded woodpecker.

Acquisition On January 25, 2022, the Board gave the go-ahead for staff to seek acquisition during Cycle 10. 147 acres are still pending closing in addition to the 320 acres already acquired under Cycle 10. On December 13, 2022, the Board authorized Cycle 11A; on February 28, 2023, it approved Cycle 11B. Cycles 11A and 11B may potentially buy 7,553 acres. The Board will be provided with offers made by staff that they are currently collecting appraisals for.

Staff members are busy overseeing current preserves and working to open recently acquired preserves on the land management side. The Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve was acquired in August 2020, and the land managers are working hard to make it accessible. The opening of this preserve is pending the first removal of invasive vegetation, obtaining the necessary permits, and constructing the trail and parking area.

Using management funds, projects like the ones below help preserve and restore natural areas:
Upkeep of the Trail
Care and Elimination of Exotic Plant Species
plants for the restoration of native plant communities
Protect resources and maintain security
burning vegetation as directed

Restoration plantings of native shrubs and trees with community partners are a part of Conservation Collier Volunteer Workdays, which improve plant diversity and animal habitat. Thanks to community partners, neighbors, and Oracle workers, two such workdays to highlight are a marsh restoration and native tree volunteer workday at the Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve.

Applications and nominations for properties for Cycle 12 are now being accepted by the program for assessment by the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee and Board. Visit www.conservationcollier.com for more details about current preserves and recent purchases.

For more information, contact conservationcollier@colliercountyfl.gov or 239-252-2961.