Saving a Species Through Conservation Collier

It will be twenty years ago when the first Jurassic Park movie was released to the public in the United States. The first of the thrilling three film franchise starring DNA cloned dinosaurs that roamed the surface of the earth would make just over two billion dollars at box office over its first three releases.

That’s right, $2,000,000,000 with a “B.” It seems that there was quite an interest in seeing those giants on the big screen, even though it was science fiction which kept us mesmerized through the marvels of Stephen Spielberg’s creativity and the help of computer animation.

Although the dinosaurs no longer roam the earth, another species which was around over 60 million years ago with them can be viewed right here on Marco Island. You can find many Gopher Tortoises throughout the island, but especially in the areas surrounding South Barfield, Inlet Drive, Dogwood and Ludlow, amongst many other areas. They are protected species, however many are lost each year due interaction with the human species which they share the island with and their motor vehicles.

Fast forward 60 million years since the dinosaurs and those docile Gopher Tortoises were roaming the surface of the earth and we find that dwindling species to also be threatened from the loss of their native habitat and the ravages of mother nature due to Hurricane Ian.

The species is listed as “threatened” by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Services due to the continuing loss of their natural habitat due to development. Collier County is rightfully taking a very proactive stand in trying to protect that species from extinction here locally. Nationally this species is found east of the Mississippi River and is one of only five North American tortoise species. Its habitat includes the southeastern Coastal Plain from southeastern Louisiana east to southern South Carolina and south to Florida.

The havoc created by Hurricane Ian may well have subjected another very serious blow to their survivability. This is due to the impact on their nesting areas along the coastline of Collier County, which unfortunately suffered severe damage and destruction as a result of the extraordinary storm surge created by Hurricane Ian. Those pods here on the island may in fact be some of the most important links that provide our geographical area with a connection to Mesozoic Era prior to modern man, Homo sapiens, appearing.

Citizens within Collier County in 2002 approved the establishment of the Conservation Collier initiative and began taxing themselves 0.25 mils each year beginning in 2003. Every ten years the initiative reappears on the ballot and receives continual reapproval by wide margins indicating the public’s support of its goals and objectives.

That initiative has allowed the acquisition of properties of high natural resource value throughout Collier County from willing sellers during the last twenty years. Properties acquired met specific criteria including rare habitat, aquifer recharge, flood control, water quality protection, and listed species habitats, includingtheendangeredGopher Tortoises.

Up to seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues collected for Conservation Collier may be used for acquisition of those sensitive properties. Section 7.2.a. of the Ordinance provides that management funds shall be no less than twenty-five percent (25%) of revenues collected in one year. Up to ten percent (10%) of the acquisition funding is allowed to be used for amenities on an annual basis to improve access to existing and future Conservation Collier Preserves. Amenities may include boardwalks, facilities, parking lots, and educational staff. This would be evaluated on an annual basis during the Board’s review of the annual budget. This would result in an allocation of a minimum of sixty-five percent (65%) for acquisition, twenty-five percent (25%) for maintenance and a maximum of ten percent (10%) for access improvements.

In Collier County, Marco Island has proven to be a wonderful connection to our past and has provided a treasure trove of rich links to our history and that of civilization itself. A visit to the Marco Island Historical Society and its popularity as a visitor site can attest to that, as well as all of the other museums in our area.

The process regarding the acquisition of properties by Conservation Collier is a relatively detailed and arduous process. A team of field biologists will visit each parcel and utilize a multipoint assessment system to rank those properties to be placed on their “A” List (highest conservation value for immediate acquisition). A secondary “B” list would be created for “potential acquisition” during the next year’s process. The “C” list would no longer be considered for future acquisition. 

The group is presently in what they refer to as the “Cycle 11” series of potential lands of interest based upon the detailed evaluation of that property. On Marco Island the Conservation Collier group have identified eight such properties and their owners have indicated their willingness to enter that program. Those eight properties as well as the Conservation Collier Staff are awaiting the County Commissioners’ approval to acquire final appraisals on those properties. Once the final appraisals are completed those properties would come back before the County Commissioners for their final approval.

The losses caused due to the impact of Hurricane Ian on many of the habitats which were found in low lying areas and coastal dunes throughout the county will also have serious repercussions as to the loss of the species itself, therefore making the Marco acquisitions all that more important to both the Gopher Tortoises themselves, as well as other impacted species which jointly share those burrows with them, hence recognizing the Gopher Tortoises as a “Keystone Species,” and vital to the support of other species within a larger ecosystem.

Earlier last fall the newly elected and seated Commissioners were brought up to speed in regard to the history of how Conservation Collier has played such a vital role within the County in the preservation of significant lands and habitats for the present and future generations. Staff is presently awaiting the Commissioners approval to proceed on acquiring final appraisals on purchasing the properties and then acquiring those properties to continue their vital role within Collier County.