New conservation area increases funding opportunities for SWFL landowners

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE / COURTESY IMAGE

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently announced a new, federally sponsored conservation opportunity: the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area.

Covering approximately 4 million acres across Southwest Florida, this newly announced conservation area is located within portions of the Greater Everglades, Caloosahatchee River, Fisheating Creek, Peace River and Myakka River watersheds. The conservation area will protect a combination of working farms, ranches, wetlands and forests, and will support the local economy, clean water and a wide range of wildlife and plant communities.

Recognizing how generations of landowners have lovingly cared for this working landscape, the conservation area plan is a non-regulatory partnership for willing landowners and includes funding opportunities to conserve these priority lands. This funding comes from the Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund — which is appropriated by Congress — and can complement other county and state programs, increasing the number of conservation opportunities available to landowners interested in saving their land.

Local not-for-profit Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is an accredited land trust working to protect Southwest Florida’s land and water. The Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area includes a large portion of the Conservation

Foundation’s service area, and the organization is urging landowners with more than 50 acres within the specified area (see map or go to www.fws.gov/project/ everglades-gulf-conservation-area) to contact them to learn more.

Conservation Foundation works in partnership with landowners throughout the conservation process, which is often complex. Having a partner well-versed in available funding programs, application processes, conservation easement terms, and all the other ins and outs of land conservation is invaluable when negotiating to protect your land and legacy.

Funding is extremely competitive, and spots are limited. Landowners are encouraged to visit conservationfoundation.com/savemyland to learn more and to get in touch with a member of the Conservation Foundation team.

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast protects land and water in Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature. Through strategic collaborations with individuals, groups, organizations and government, it works to ensure all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy, and all the other physical and mental benefits nature provides. Their vital work strengthens Southwest Florida’s resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives and helps safeguard our community for generations to come.

Learn more at conservationfoundation.com .

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