FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:  Tom Easley, Construction Project Manager, 479-8306
               Cathy Olsen, Preserve Manager, 461-7455 

WHAT:  Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve Groundbreaking Ceremony 
               (construction of recreational facilities) 

WHEN:  Tuesday, June 19, 2 p.m.; County Commissioner Tammy Hall will 
               serve as master of ceremonies

WHERE:  Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve, south of intersection of S.R. 78
                 and Durrance Road 

PARKING:      There will be NO parking at the ceremony site.  Please park your vehicle at ECHO (17391 Durrance Road) and ride the free bus shuttle service to the ceremony.  Shuttle service will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

BACKGROUND:

CALOOSAHATCHEE CREEKS PRESERVE

The Preserve's General Construction Information

The Preserve's construction project is highly significant as this is the first time the Lee County Board of County

Commissioners will be constructing recreational facilities on a Conservation 20/20 Program property.

The $ 2.1 million project will include 2 restroom facilities, 1 canoe launch, auto and bus parking, picnic shelters and tables, 2600 feet of assessable trails, 960 feet of accessible boardwalk, 2400 feet of standard boardwalk and 2-12'x16' observation decks. 

Lee County Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Program The objectives of the program usually referred to as the "Conservation 20/20 Program" are to acquire, restore and protect natural areas critical to 1) wildlife habitat important for unique flora and fauna, 2) water supply, water quality and flood control and 3) resource based recreation. The Conservation Lands Acquisition Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) meets monthly to review applications from willing sellers to ensure they meet the established criteria and then make recommendations to the Lee County Commissioners for the purchase of the nominated lands.

The Division of County Lands staff follows acquisition procedures in Florida State Statues to negotiate an offer with the property's owner. The Department of Parks and Recreation staff implements a land stewardship program after the purchase. They restore lands to their natural state and condition, manage them in an environmentally acceptable manner and provide public recreational opportunities that are compatible with protecting natural resources. 

CLASAC History

1994 A land use study found that only 10% of Lee County was set aside for conservation. By comparison, nearly 28% of the State of Florida was owned and managed as conservation lands and other south Florida counties had from 40 – 85% set aside for conservation.

1995 With growth and development proceeding quickly in Lee County, large tracts of native land were disappearing.

Consequently, a group of concerned citizens fearing that time was running out to preserve natural areas began lobbying the Lee County government for a land acquisition program. The group called themselves the "Conservation 20/20 committee" to signify their future vision of a green Lee County.

1996 A majority of voters in Lee County voted to increase property taxes by up to 0.5 mills to fund the purchase and protection of environmentally critical lands.

1997 The Board of County Commissioners created a citizen advisory committee. Each of the five Commissioners appointed three members with responsibility to oversee the selection and purchase of properties and its management.

The committee was named the Conservation Lands Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee.

The program became known as the Conservation 20/20 Program, named after the grass roots committee that fought for its creation.

2007 10 year anniversary of the program….in that time, with recommendations by CLASAC and approval of the Lee

County Board of County Commissioners, 71 properties have been purchased totaling 17,984 acres…….. for future generations recreational enjoyment.