| Photo © RJ Wiley |
Audubon of Florida, Collier County Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife and Florida Wildlife Federation endorse the recommendations of the Rural Lands Stewardship Area Five-Year Review Committee relating to the future utilization of 179,000 acres of privately owned land in eastern Collier County. We further urge the Collier County commissioners to authorize the next steps required for eventual adoption of the committee’s recommendations.
Our organizations share a common ideal for those 179,000 acres — that natural resources be protected; that there be as little development as possible; that any development taking place be in compact, smart-growth villages and towns, thus avoiding rural sprawl that creates further damage to the environment. Ideally, all 179,000 acres would be acquired for conservation. Realistically, given the worth of the properties, public or private purchase of the land, or any significant portion of it, for conservation is highly unlikely. Hence, it is necessary to use other incentives to achieve the goals of the Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA) program.
