FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lynda Riley, Lee County Lands Division
              (239) 479-8505

AUDUBON SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DONATES $1,000 TO CONSERVATION 20/20 PROGRAM

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 20, 2003) - The Audubon Society of Southwest Florida has donated $1,000 to Lee County's Conservation 20/20 Program in appreciation of the land-buying program's efforts.

The money is to be used toward acquisition of new lands to the system.

"Audubon of Southwest Florida applauds the effort of Lee County for the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition and management program," wrote Audubon Treasurer Neil Wilkinson.

"Many of our members have visited most of the sites purchased to date and we are thrilled with the progress. It is our hope that this program will continue and efforts are made to expand the management of the properties.''

Since its inception seven years ago, the program has acquired nearly 11,219 acres for $68 million and set it aside for long-term preservation. The latest purchase was completed Tuesday with the closing of a 307-acre parcel, for $1.56 million, at the corner of Nalle Grade and Nalle roads in North Fort Myers.

Lee County voters approved Conservation 20/20 in November 1996 through a non-binding referendum that increased property taxes by 50 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value. That raises about $15 million a year to buy, restore and maintain environmentally sensitive lands for long-term preservation.

Conservation 20/20 is a willing seller program to acquire and manage land critical to help sustain: 1) water supply and water quality; 2) flood protection; 3) wildlife habitat; and 4) passive recreation. It is overseen by Lee County taxpayers through the Conservation Lands Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC or Conservation 20/20 Advisory Committee), with the help of the Board of Lee County Commissioners and county government staff.

To learn more about the program, visit its web site at http://lee-county.com/countylands/Cons2020/cons2020.htm or go to www.lee-county.com, then click on "Departments" and "County Lands Division."