Lee Board votes to pursue purchase of parcels through Conservation 20/20 program
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to pursue acquisition of two parcels totaling 5 acres in southern Lee County through the Conservation 20/20 program. The land is surrounded entirely by conservation land in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW), owned by the South Florida Water Management District.
The Board’s action Tuesday included funding to cover appraisal and title service. Any negotiated purchase agreement would go back before the Commissioners for approval. The Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 21, 2022, to recommend the board pursue purchase of the land.
Efforts to preserve land in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed began in 1989 and now include more than 60,000 acres in both Lee and Collier counties. The land provides natural flood protection, water purification and critical aquifer recharge. The watershed also serves as important habitat for animal species such as the endangered Florida panther, snail kite and wood stork.
An existing Memorandum of Understanding specifies management responsibilities of Lee County-owned properties within the watershed to the South Florida Water Management District.
In January, the Board approved the purchase of another 5 acres also within CREW through Conservation 2020.
The Lee County Conservation 20/20 program acquires land from willing sellers for resource-based recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, nature study, photography and paddle craft launches.
The program for environmentally sensitive land acquisition and management has preserved more than 31,400 acres since its inception.
In addition to recreation, conservation lands help the county to protect drinking water, enhance water quality, protect areas from flooding and provide wildlife habitat.
For more information, visit Conservation2020.org.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter HERE.
Source: Lee County Government