Jul 31, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

July 31, 2007

Lee County Conservation 20/20 Land Buying Program Adds 196 acres to Alva Scrub Preserve

Today, Lee County purchased 196 acres of environmentally sensitive land located in the Alva Community using Conservation 20/20 Program funds.  The property, located west of Joel Blvd., and south of Tuckahoe Road, will be a valuable addition to the existing 170 acre Alva Scrub Conservation 20/20 preserve.

The current Alva Scrub Preserve is home to many Florida Scrub Jays, and land management officials plan to continue enhancement of the preserve,  in an effort  to encourage increase population of this, and other threatened animals, whose habitat is the extremely dry scrub lands. The property also contains various wetlands capable of filtration for water quality improvement. Public uses to be considered during the Land Management Planning will be hiking, bird watching, and horseback riding.

Earlier this year, the Lee County School Board, under a separate purchase agreement, acquired the northerly 100 acres of the overall site for future construction of school facilities. While the County's acquisition is a totally separate negotiated purchase, partnership between the two entities may be considered for environmental educational opportunities.

The Seller, Estate Development, LLC, wanted $11,956,000 for the 196 acres.   The Division of County Lands, the County Office which negotiates real estate purchases for Lee County, was able to acquire the property for $ 7,125,000. The Conservation 20/20 program buys environmentally important lands for preservation. It is funded by a property tax, which was approved by voters' referendum in 1996.  It is 50 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value. Since the first purchase in 1997, Lee County's Conservation 20/20 Land Inventory now stands at 18,523 acres.

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