MORE THAN 200 ACRES OF
CONSERVATION LANDS DONATED TO DEP
~Donations preserve
valuable panther habitat in Collier County~
The Florida panther remains on the U.S. Engangered Species List.
TALLAHASSEE– A major land
donation secures valuable conservation lands in the state of Florida at no cost
to taxpayers. Tuesday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
received a donation of more than 60 acres of property with an assessed value of
$151, 050. This comes just months after the donation of more than 163 acres on adjoining
parcels of land with an assessed value of $400,000. Both properties are part of
the Picayune Strand State Forest and in total add 223.76 acres to the project.
“These
donations are a great example of private business and state government working
together to protect the environment,” said DEP State Lands Director Kelley
Boree. “Anytime we can get high-quality conservation lands at no cost it’s a win
for Florida residents. This land provides much needed green space for the greater
Fort Myers area.”
The
donations are a result of the Collier County Transfer of Development Rights
Program and this program’s mitigation requirements of two private contractors
looking to develop a residential project. The donors are also providing $1,000
per acre in management funds to Friends of Florida State Forests to care for
the lands.
The
additional lands to the Picayune Strand State Forest will provide added recreation
space for hunting, hiking and horseback riding. It includes
some of the most extensive examples of old-growth wet flatwoods (hydric pine flatwoods)
in southwest Florida and high quality, undisturbed subtropical dwarf cypress
savanna communities. The project will also protect habitat for at least 20 Florida
Natural Areas Inventory-listed plants and animals, including the Florida panther,
red-cockaded woodpecker and Florida black bear.
About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention, and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us.