CONSERVATION 20/20 OVERVIEW. Cathy Olson, Conservation Lands Manager Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation

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1 CONSERVATION 20/20 OVERVIEW Cathy Olson, Conservation Lands Manager Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation

2 What is Conservation 20/20? Lee County s current environmentally sensitive land acquisition and management program Willing seller program (no eminent domain) Land evaluated according to its significance for water resources, wildlife habitat and public access Land purchased based on appraisals

3 Goals for the C20/20 Program Protect and enhance hydrologic features (natural floodplains, marshes and estuaries, surface water management and water supply) Restoration of altered ecosystems Wildlife management Nature-based recreational opportunities

4 Conservation 20/20 history 1995: Grassroots group of concerned citizens formed 1996: Program established through referendum Program name represents a vision for the future of Lee County balanced between growth and conservation 2015: Program updates provides for targeted acquisition adjusts the funding mechanism provides safeguards for the program

5 C20/20 Ordinances and Resolutions Ord 96-12: Established the CLASAC and procedures for implementing the program Ord 05-17: Amended and restated Ord 13-09: Amended based on recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Committee 6 additional resolutions amending the acquisition process and criteria occurred in 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007

6 2015 Revisions Changed funding from millage based program to one funded directly by the general fund Added language to protect the fund Added language so that the acquisition fund will be no less than $40 million and no more than $100 million Allowed the use of TDRs Allows C20/20 funding to purchase land used solely for water quality and storage projects but non-c20/20 funds for construction and maintenance

7 2015 Revisions Management and restoration is based on a 5 year plan (Capital Improvement Plan) Changed annual reporting format Changes to the ordinance require a super-majority vote of the BoCC

8 Referendum ballot language DO YOU APPROVE OF LEE COUNTY CONTINUING TO USE GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS TO ACQUIRE, RESTORE, IMPROVE, AND MANAGE LAND FOR CONSERVATION, SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT, WATER QUALITY, WATER RECHARGE AND SUPPLY, FLOOD CONTROL, WILDLIFE HABITAT, PASSIVE PUBLIC RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE PURPOSES, PURSUANT TO LEE COUNTY ORDINANCE (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE LEE COUNTY CONSERVATION 20/20 LAND PROGRAM)? YES-For NO-Against

9 Conservation 20/20 Current Holdings 44 Preserves totaling ~24,931 acres 123 separate acquisitions Range in size from 1 acre 5,620 acres Uplands: 51%; Wetlands: 49%

10 Conservation 20/20 Connection Land acquisitions have expanded the size of regional conservation areas: Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Yucca Pens Unit of Cecil B. Webb WMA Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park Koreshan State Park Babcock Ranch Preserve Harns Marsh

11 Conservation 20/20 Connection Land acquisitions have expanded the size of these County conservation areas: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Matanzas Pass Preserve Hickey Creek Mitigation Park San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve

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14 Management Plans Each preserve has a land management plan - inventories the flora and fauna - provides a guide for restoration and management - identifies appropriate public use based on protecting the natural systems on site - identifies costs and potential partners

15 Hydrological Restoration Reduces amount of flow into receiving water bodies Sediments and nutrients settle (assists county in reaching TMDL goals) Reduces flooding for neighbors and helps with FEMA flood rate Important to improve ecosystem and wildlife habitat Increases groundwater recharge Many projects funded through grants awarded

16 Grant Funded Hydrological Restoration Projects Examples: Yucca Pens Smokehouse Bay Caloosahatchee Creeks Six Mile Cypress North

17 Grant Funded Hydrological Restoration Projects Yucca Pens 2010: Ditch blocks to help remediate manmade flowways and rehydrate drained wetlands

18 Grant Funded Hydrological Restoration Projects Smokehouse Bay 2013: Filling manmade ditches to rehydrate salt marshes

19 Grant Funded Hydrological Restoration Projects Caloosahatchee Creeks 2016: Rehydration of wetlands

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21 Hydrological Restoration and BMAP C20/20 lands accounted for 63% of the projects submitted for the 3 BMAPs 37% of the pollution load reduction credit was supported on C20/20 land ($11.5 million estimate for TN removal).

22 Filter Marsh Partner projects Billy Creek Preserve: C20/20 purchased the land for the filter marsh The City of Fort Myers built and operates it Powell Creek Filter Marsh: C20/20 purchased the land and maintains the natural areas and recreational areas of the preserve Natural Resources Division built the filter marsh in a disturbed area and operates the filter marsh

23 Basic Management Obligations Installation of fences and boundary signs Installation and maintenance of fire lines Prescribed burning Exotic plant control Care of public amenities

24 Pre and Post invasive exotic plant treatment Pop Ash Creek Preserve

25 Pre and post melaleuca treatment Pine Island Flatwoods

26 Benefits of Restoration of Altered Ecosystems Enhances natural processes and natural communities (hydrological, prescribed fire, etc) Enhances wildlife habitat Enhances public use and enjoyment Reduces risk of wildfire

27 Wildlife Management Provides habitat for state and federally protected wildlife and more common wildlife Provides areas for listed species mitigation requirements for public projects (gopher tortoise, wood stork, Florida panther, Florida Scrub-jay, etc )

28 Listed Species Mitigation Imperial Marsh (panthers) $300,000 in costs; $850,000 in benefit Gator Hole (gopher tortoise) $100,000 Alva Scrub (Florida Scrub-jay) $800,000 estimated costs; $7,200,000 benefit

29 Wetland & Wood Stork Mitigation Estero Marsh Preserve $3 million spent in permitting, restoration, maintenance and monitoring $7 million savings in mitigation for Lee County capital projects (Three Oaks Parkway etc.) Wild Turkey Strand Preserve $6-8 million estimate for permitting, restoration, maintenance and monitoring $14 million estimated savings in mitigation for Lee County capital projects

30 Nature Based Recreation Hiking Bird watching Horseback riding Geocaching Photography Fishing Canoe and kayaking Picnicking Llama walking Feral hog hunting Uses coming soon: Mountain biking Primitive camping

31 Preserves with Public Access 30 of the 44 preserves currently have public access opportunities

32 Preserves with Public Access

33 Preserves with Public Access in Design, Permitting or Construction Process Alva Scrub, Six Mile Cypress North, and West Marsh Preserves

34 Guided nature walks Led by trained volunteers Free Hosted year-round Learn about plants, wildlife, water and conservation Pick up a schedule or view calendar online

35 Volunteer Opportunities Opportunities for individuals and small or large groups Work days accompanied by staff Record wildlife sightings - Lee County Bird Patrol Trash collection and removal Exotic plant control Lead a guided nature walk

36 Website: Follow Conservation 20/20 on Facebook