Oct 16 Evenings at the Conservancy event to focus on Eastern Collier County Development Plans
NAPLES, Fla. (Oct 1, 2018) – The Conservancy of Southwest Florida will present a special Evenings at the Conservancy, environmental lecture series event, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16, at the Conservancy’s Eaton Conservation Hall.
From traffic to taxes to wildlife impacts, decisions made over the next few months will impact the future of the county. Speakers will discuss Collier County’s plans for development in Eastern Collier County. Attendees will learn more about development plans and how they can help shape growth and protect our natural resources before it is too late.
Seating at the Evenings at the Conservancy is limited, and often sells out. Reserve your seat today by contacting Sophia Navarra via email SophiaN@conservancy.org or phone 239-403-4207. To learn more about the Evenings at the Conservancy event, please visit www.conservancy.org/evenings.
More about Eastern Collier Development Plans
Collier County’s Growth Management Department is undertaking a second review of a planning area in eastern Collier County that can accommodate 43,300 acres of new towns and villages. These new towns and villages could add more than 300,000+ full-time residents to the county’s population, which currently has about 360,000 residents. At the same time, federal agencies are reviewing the proposal (a “Habitat Conservation Plan” and associated permit) for its impacts on imperiled species, wetlands, and other natural resources.
The planning area, called Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA), is located east of Golden Gate Estates, surrounds Immokalee and runs clear to the Lee and Hendry County lines. The RLSA consists of 300 square miles of agricultural fields, pastures, wetlands, and habitat for listed species, including the endangered Florida panther.
The development potential for the RLSA is massive. Eleven new towns the size of Ave Maria or even 2 mega-towns the size of Fort Lauderdale could be built in the RLSA. Never in Collier County’s recent history has so much been at stake.
That much development raises many questions regarding the impact of 43,300+ acres of new towns on water resources, habitat, and quality of life for future generations.
What could be the cost of the road network necessary to facilitate all of this development? Will this development plan curtail sprawl? Or will habitat destruction be the final nail in the coffin for the endangered Florida panther and other listed species?
Learn more Tuesday, October 16, at 6 p.m. at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The presentation is free and open to the public. Media is welcome to attend.
About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a not-for-profit environmental protection organization with a more than 50-year history focused on the issues impacting the water, land wildlife and future of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The Conservancy accomplishes this mission through the combined efforts of its experts in the areas of environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, world-class Nature Center and von Arx Wildlife Hospital are headquartered in Naples, Florida, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, south of the Naples Zoo off Goodlette-Frank Road. Learn more about the Conservancy’s work and how to support the quality of life in Southwest Florida www.conservancy.org.
Media Contacts:
Catherine Bergerson, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 239-403-4216, 239-451-2095 or catherineb@conservancy.org