Jun 29, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: 

Commissioner Bob Janes, Lee County, (239) 335-2224
Liz Donley, Babcock Ranch Preservation Partnership, (239) 338-2256

CHICO'S DONATES $30,000 IN SUPPORT OF BABCOCK RANCH ACQUISITION EFFORT

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 29, 2005)   - CHICO'S, a producer of exclusively designed, private-label women's clothing, has donated $30,000 to the Babcock Preservation fund, which is facilitated by the Southwest Florida Community Fund.

CHICO'S, which is headquartered in Fort Myers, donated the money for the use of hiring a Program Coordinator for Babcock Preservation Partnership Inc.

Babcock Preservation Partnership Inc. has chosen Carol Newcomb-Jones for the Program Coordinator position, previously staffed by Liz Donley of the Charlotte Harbor Natural Estuary Program.
 
Carol Newcomb-Jones is an environmental educator, teaching most recently for Florida Gulf Coast University and the Lee County School District Department of Environmental Education.  She also has experience in nature-based tourism as both tour director and guide and has managed environmental grants.  In addition, she has been a wildlife rehabilitator, biologist, artist and author.  Carol is known for devoting her time and energy as a voice for what remains of wild Florida.

The Babcock Preservation Partnership is nearing one year in its efforts to raise funds for the full acquisition of Babcock Ranch, which includes Telegraph Swamp in its 91,361 acres in Lee and Charlotte Counties. 

The partnership is a public/private coalition working together to acquire, preserve conserve and manage Babcock Ranch and Telegraph Swamp, one of Southwest Florida's most outstanding areas of natural resources and wildlife habitat.

For more information about the Babcock Ranch acquisition effort, visit www.swfrpc.org/Babcock.htm.

Carol Newcomb-Jones
Program Coordinator
Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council
info@babcockranch.org
Phone: (239) 338-2256
Fax: (239) 338-2560

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