Today Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet approved the purchase of the Gargiulo Land Trust and Bond Ranch properties in southwest Florida. These Florida Forever purchases have been longtime priorities of Audubon and conservationists in Southwest Florida for many years.
The 619 acres of the Gargiulo Land Trust property are a strategic buffer for the Florida Forever Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed’s (CREW) popular Bird Rookery Swamp, as well as Audubon’s 13,000-acre Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The Gargiulo land offers significant restoration opportunities for the CREW watershed and will enhance the wildlife habitat value, increase its water quality and storage capabilities, and improve waters flowing to the Wiggins Pass and Naples Bay estuaries.
The 669-acre Bond Ranch is part of the Charlotte Harbor Flatwoods Florida Forever Project and is an essential strategy for restoring freshwater flows to the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve on the Gulf Coast. It is an exemplary agency partnership amongst Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In addition to restoring flows to Charlotte Harbor, this important acquisition will facilitate vital restoration that reduces flooding in North Ft. Myers, cleans water going to the Prairie Pines Preserve in Lee County, and rehydrates wetlands in parts of Babcock Webb Preserve.
Wood Storks, Reddish Egrets, Brown Pelicans, Ospreys, Florida Panthers, Black Bears, and myriad other southwest Florida species will benefit from the restoration and preservation of these two properties.
“Thank you to Governor Scott and the Florida Cabinet for protecting the Gargiulo Land Trust and Bond Ranch properties," said Eric Draper, Audubon Florida Executive Director. "Southwest Florida depends on its pristine environment for its economic vitality. The preservation and restoration of these Western Everglades projects will enhance the lives of the people, birds, and wildlife who make southwest Florida home. We look forward to many more Florida Forever purchases to come.”
