FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 14, 2017
Valuable Land Donated to State of Florida in
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
~Land donated by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida will preserve pristine coastal habitat~
 Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve protects 110,000 acres of coastal habitat.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s Division of State Lands has accepted the donation of two important pieces of
conservation land in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The new parcels, valued at $236,750, will aid in conservation efforts at the 110,000-acre reserve, which protects and provides educational information on the Southwest Florida estuary environment.
“The Florida Coastal
Office is grateful to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for donating two
parcels on Keewaydin Island in Collier County," said Florida Coastal Office Director Kevin Claridge. "These parcels are adjacent
to existing state-owned land, helping improve management efficiency while also protecting valuable sea turtle and shorebird
habitat.”
“The Conservancy of Southwest Florida was founded by folks
working together to protect Rookery Bay,” said Robert Moher, president and CEO
of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “We remain dedicated to preserving
this critical resource, and we hope the donation of these two parcels will help
facilitate long-term management and conservation of Rookery Bay.”
“Audubon of the Western Everglades and Audubon Florida have
been partners with Rookery Bay Reserve since its creation and work to protect
its critical watershed, wetlands and diverse wildlife,” said Brad
Cornell of Audubon Florida. “We commend the
Conservancy of Southwest Florida for donating these parcels to the state in an
effort to consolidate management of their conservation values.”
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located at the western
edge of the Everglades on the Gulf Coast of Florida in Collier County. The reserve, managed
by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office in
cooperation with NOAA, encompasses 110,000 acres of coastal lands and waters on
the Gulf Coast between Naples and Everglades National Park. It serves as an
outdoor classroom and laboratory for students and scientists from around the
world.
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