Agenda 10/22/2024 Item #16A22 (Accept Conservation Collier Annual Report)10/22/2024
Item # 16.A.22
ID# 2024-1178
Executive Summary
Recommendation to accept the Conservation Collier Annual Report, provide an update on the program’s past activities,
and to solicit acquisition proposals and applications from the public.
OBJECTIVE: Two (2) objectives included in this request are (1) Update the Board of County Commissioners (Board)
and the public on the Conservation Collier Program’s past, current, and planned activities pursuant to Conservation
Collier Ordinance requirements through the Conservation Collier Annual Report, and (2) Solicit proposals and
applications from the public.
CONSIDERATIONS:
In accordance with Conservation Collier Ordinance 2002-63, as amended Section 11.6., “There will be an annual public
meeting for the purpose of updating the Board and the public and for soliciting proposals and applications if the program
is in a buying cycle.”
Pursuant to Board direction, staff placed a non-binding referendum on the November 3, 2020, general election ballot
regarding the Conservation Collier Program. Specifically, the voters were asked to approve or disapprove of re-
establishing a not to exceed .25 mil ad valorem levy for ten (10) years to fund Conservation Collier’s acquisition and
management of environmentally sensitive lands. On November 3, 2020, the Collier County electors approved the
Conservation Collier Re-establishment referendum with a 76.5% majority.
After the Referendum, the Program initiated Cycle 10 by accepting applications starting in February 2021 with the
anticipation of funds becoming available in FY22. To date the Program has acquired an additional 682 acres after the
passing of the Referendum in 2020. There are currently 2,336 acres totaling $26,648,220 pending acquisition.
The current total acreage acquired is 5,030 acres at 23 different locations as of October 1, 2024. Preserve management
activities are ongoing for all acquired properties except multi-parcel projects, where larger contiguous areas must be
acquired to manage in a cost-effective manner. The Program also continues to add public access to preserves.
1. Annual Report: Please see the attached Conservation Collier Annual Report which provides the Program’s past,
current, and planned activities; and updates the Board on activities during 2023.
2. Solicitation of proposals and applications from the public: The Program requests public solicitation for
nomination proposals and for property owners to submit applications in the 2024-2025 selection and ranking cycle,
which is currently underway.
During Cycles one (1) through ten (10), ranking of property applications was done annually. During the Annual Report
update on April 26, 2022, Agenda Item #11B the Board requested staff to accelerate the acquisition of environmentally
sensitive land for conservation. Thereafter, cycle rankings were done two times per year for Cycles eleven (11) and
twelve (12).
In September 2023 the Board requested streamlining of acquisition. Subsequently, the Program moved to ranking
properties on an ongoing basis. Therefore, the process has been revised to accelerate acquisition and take applications to
the Board for ranking shortly after review by the CCLAAC. Therefore, there are no specific cycle deadlines.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with approval of this item. Funding related to acquisition
has been incorporated into the FY25 budget. Funding for Conservation Collier is budgeted annually within Conservation
Collier funds: Acquisition (1061), Maintenance (1062), Capital Projects (1063), Pepper Ranch Conservation Bank
(0673), Caracara Prairie Preserve (0674) as reported within the Annual Report.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: Fee-simple acquisition and management of conservation lands is consistent
with and supports Policy 1.1.5 in the Conservation and Coastal Management Element.
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10/22/2024
Item # 16.A.22
ID# 2024-1178
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires majority vote for Board
action. -SAA
RECOMMENDATIONS: To accept the attached 2023 Annual Report as presented.
PREPARED BY: Summer Araque, Environmental Supervisor, Conservation Collier Program, Development Review
Division
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Conservation Collier Annual Report 2023
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CONSERVATION
COLLIER
2023
ANNUAL
REPORT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ________________________________________________ 4
Responsibilities __________________________________________________________ 4
History of Acquisition & Lands Inventory _______________________________________ 4
Program Costs FY23 ______________________________________________________ 4
Public Activities __________________________________________________________ 5
Looking Ahead ___________________________________________________________ 5
Committee members _____________________________________________ 6
Program Lands Acquisition Status __________________________________ 9
Program Land Management Status _________________________________ 11
Table 1. Preserve Status __________________________________________________ 12
Program Financial Status ________________________________________ 14
Table 2. Land Maintenance Expenses 5-year Average _________________________ 16
Table 3. – Summary of Conservation Collier Financial Activity for FY23 ____________ 17
Conservation Collier Programs ____________________________________ 18
Pepper Ranch Hunt Program _______________________________________________ 18
2022-2023 Hunt Season __________________________________________________ 18
Caracara Prairie Preserve Hunt Program _____________________________________ 18
Mitigation Programs _____________________________________________ 19
Caracara Prairie Preserve _______________________________________________ 19
Pepper Ranch Preserve _________________________________________________ 19
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Grants and Funding Assistance ___________________________________ 20
Volunteers ____________________________________________________ 21
2024 Objectives ________________________________________________ 23
Exhibits ______________________________________________________ 24
Exhibit A. 2023 Map of Conservation Collier Program Lands ______________________ 24
Exhibit B. Conservation Collier Preserves by Commission District _________________ 25
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INTRODUCTION
Responsibilities
The Conservation Collier Program (Program) is responsible for implementing the mandate of
the electorate of Collier County as provided by public referendum vote in November 2002, and
again in November 2006 confirming that mandate, to levy a 0.25 mill ad valorem property tax
for a period not to exceed 10 years for acquisition. Once acquired, protection, restoration, and
management of environmentally sensitive lands in Collier County continues in perpetuity for
the benefit of present and future generations. Most recently, on November 3, 2020, the
electorate voted to implement another 10-year ad valorem tax not-to-exceed 0.25 mill. The
implementation of this ad valorem tax started in FY22 (October 2021).
History of Acquisition & Lands Inventory
After the passing of the referendum in 2002, the initial acquisition phase occurred from 2004 to
2011. During that time, 4,055 acres were acquired. In 2011 available funds were appropriated
into the maintenance trust fund as the program moved into a preserve management phase,
including opening the preserves for public access and managing and hosting visitors.
Therefore, between 2011 and 2020 there was not a regular funding source for acquisition of
conservation land.
The Program remained in a management phase until 2017 when the Board authorized the use
of management funds for the acquisition of more land. In 2018 and 2019, three (3) properties
totaling 237 acres were purchased for $3.1 million. These funds were subsequently paid back
to the management fund in FY22 after the initial funds from the 2020 referendum were received.
Since the re-establishment of the funding source for acquisition after the referendum in 2020,
an additional 520 acres have been acquired for a total of 4,870 acres (as of December 2023).
Thirteen (13) Conservation Collier preserves are currently open for public use with various
amenities for public passive recreational use.
Program Costs FY23
Program expenses for FY23 totaled $6,326,320 including land management costs for all
preserves of $1,177,351, program administration and acquisition operations costs of $226,775
and $4,922,195 for land acquisition. In addition, FY23 funding assistance, in the amount of
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$106,645, was received for land management. The increase in budget was due to the
acquisition of new preserves and the initial costs for exotic vegetation removal.
Public Activities
Public activities at preserves during FY23 included adult and youth hunts, hiking, camping,
biking, horseback riding, volunteering, guided hikes, and presentations.
Looking Ahead
Staff is working on initial removal of exotic vegetation removal, restoration, and installation of
amenities for recently acquired properties. Staff have also been working with an engineering
consultant to obtain permits to build a parking lot for the Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve
acquired in August 2020. Opening of this preserve is dependent on initial removal of exotic
vegetation, permitting, and trail and parking lot installation.
The FY23 budget included a Conservation Collier Program tax levy of .25 mil that generated
approximately $30,577,600 for acquisition and management.
Please accept this report on the activities of Conservation Collier calendar year 2023.
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The primary purpose of the CCLAAC, as defined by the Conservation Collier Ordinance, has
been to assist the Board in establishing an Active Properties Acquisition List with qualified
purchase recommendations consistent with the goals of Conservation Collier. This is a 9-
member committee. Membership of the CCLAAC is intended to be comprised of broad and
balanced representation of the interests of Collier County citizens, including:
• Environmental, land management, and conservation interests
• Agricultural and business interests
• Educational interests
• General civic and citizen interests throughout the county.
Members serving as of during 2023, and their backgrounds and areas of expertise are:
Michele Lenhard – Vice Chair now Chair as of January 2023 (Educational/General
Civic/Ecology/Conservation) Ms. Lenhard was reappointed on February 23,
2022, for a 3-year term. Ms. Lenhard relocated to Collier County 9 years
ago from Ridgewood, NJ. She currently serves as the Naturalist Program
Chair for the Friends of Barefoot Beach having completed the Florida
Master Naturalist Program training. While living in New Jersey she served
on the local Board of Education for many years. During her tenure on the
Board, she was the liaison to several State educational initiatives and
achieved certification as a Master Board Member from New Jersey School Boards. She and
her husband owned and operated a records and information management company as well as
several commercial real estate entities in New Jersey. Michele’s educational background is in
environmental science. Early in her career she worked in the scientific instrument industry.
William Poteet, Jr. – Chairman through January 2023 (Business Interest) Re-appointed for a
sixth term in February 2020, Mr. Poteet is a local realtor and business
owner who has been a member of the CCLAAC since its inception in March
2003. He has served as Chairman of the CCLAAC since August 2005 with
unanimous re-election as Chair each year. He also served as a member of
the Outreach Subcommittee and as Chairman of the Ordinance, Policy, and
Rules Subcommittee during active acquisition phases. He currently serves
as the Chair of the Lands Evaluation and Management Subcommittee. Mr.
Poteet is an outstanding leader, assisting with the development of many program policies. Bill
concluded his 20 years of service with his last meeting on February 1, 2023. We thank Bill for
his contributions!
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Gary Bromley – (General Civic/Citizen) Mr. Bromley was reappointed on January 23, 2024, for
a 3-year term. Mr. Bromley has lived in Collier County for 5 years, originally
from Westchester, NY, where he served as an environmental educator. He
has a Bachelor of Science degree in social science work and is currently
retired. This is Mr. Bromley’s first time serving on a county board, but he is
a member of the League of Women voters where he participates on the
Environmental and Government Committees. He has also participated in
efforts to place constitutional amendments on voter ballots and has
participated with the Stone crab Alliance on environmental issues.
Brittany Patterson-Weber – (Environmental/Conservation/Education) Ms. Patterson-Weber was
reappointed on February 11, 2021, for a 3-year term. She is currently the
Vice President of Education & Interpretation at Naples Botanical Garden,
and a member of the Garden’s executive team. She has spent the last 21
years in Florida and the Caribbean working in environmental education as
both an educator and program/center Director at the Calusa Nature Center
and Planetarium (Ft. Myers), Pigeon Key Marine Science Foundation
(Marathon), South Seas Island Resort (Captiva), and Ambassadors of the Environment by
Jean-Michel Cousteau at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. She also has done graduate work
in Agricultural Extension Education. She has collaborated closely with professional partners
like Collier County Public Schools, Collier County Pollution Control, and Rookery Bay's Coastal
Training Program to educate both adults and children about living in Southwest Florida's
environment.
Karyn Allman – (Environmental & Conservation/Ecology/Land
Management) Ms. Allman was reappointed on January 23, 2024, for a 3-
year term. Karyn is a Biologist/Ecologist who has lived in Collier County
for over 16 years. She has a master’s degree in Conservation Biology from
the University of Kent Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology. Karyn
grew up in Maine and spent her life exploring the outdoors as a part of her
professional and personal life. She is a Professional Wetland Scientist
(PWS), and recently worked as a Land Manager for Lee County Parks and Recreation
Conservation 2020 program for almost 5 years. Currently, Karyn is a lead Scientist for the
South Florida Water Management District, helping to restore over 6,000 acres of citrus groves
in Hendry County into wetlands.
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Rhys Watkins - (Conservation/Real Estate) Mr. Watkins was appointed on
June 14, 2023, for a 3-year term. Rhys was born and raised in Collier
County where he spent time learning about the natural beauty of Collier
County through exploring the Big Cypress Preserve and the Ten Thousand
Islands. His first involvement with Conservation Collier came as a
volunteer while in middle school for the original campaign to pass the
referendum in 2002. Rhys currently works in real estate and investments
in Naples and has prior experience in the hospitality industry in Naples and the defense industry
in Washington, D.C. Rhys has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s
degree in mathematics.
Ron Clark - (Environmental/Conservation/Ecology/Land Management) Mr.
Clark was appointed on February 23, 2022, for a 3-year term. Ron has a
Bachelor of Science in Resource Management and is a retired Chief of Natural
and Cultural Resources for Big Cypress National Preserve following a 44-year
career with the National Park Service that included assignments in ten
national park units throughout the country. Ron arrived in south Florida in
1989 as an Environmental Specialist and in 1995 assumed the role as
Principal Advisor and Supervisor of the team of scientists and technicians of the Preserve's
Natural and Cultural Resource Management programs. Ron has also served on the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Florida Panther Recovery Team, is a past Chair of the National Park
Service Southeast Regional Natural Resource Advisory Committee and volunteered in a six-
year program as a Senior Technical Advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development
to protect orangutans and hawksbill sea turtles on the island of Borneo, Indonesia. Currently,
Ron is the Lands Evaluation & Management Subcommittee Chair for the Land Acquisition
Advisory Committee.
John Courtright - (General Civic/Conservation/Environmental) Mr.
Courtright was appointed on September 13, 2022, for a 3-year term. John
retired November 2009 from Miami-Dade Fire & Rescue Department. He
worked for 30 years as a Fire Fighter/Paramedic. John volunteers with Big
Cypress National Preserve, CREW Trust, Paddle Florida, Conservation
Collier, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, UF-IFAS and Collier County. John has been a
resident of Collier County since 1986.
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PROGRAM LANDS ACQUISITION STATUS
The FY23 budget included a Conservation Collier Program tax levy of .25 mil that generated
approximately $30,577,600. Consistent with Ordinance 2002-63 as amended, twenty-five (25)
percent of annual gross tax receipts were deposited into the Conservation Collier Management
Trust Fund to provide for long-term management of lands managed by the Conservation Collier
Program. The balance of tax receipts was deposited into the Conservation Collier Acquisition
Trust Fund for use in acquiring environmentally sensitive lands. Including rollover funds
$33,219,600 was allocated for Acquisition in FY23.
Acquisition Cycle Process:
The Active Acquisition Lists (AAL) for each Cycle were previously taken to the Board on an
annual basis for ranking for Cycles one (1) through ten (10). In April 2022 the Board asked
staff to accelerate acquisition which resulted in the AAL being taken to the Board two times a
year. Once the Board approves an AAL, by Ordinance staff obtains appraisals and perform
due diligence for the A-list properties on the AAL.
Status of Acquisition Cycles
Below is the status of each acquisition cycle as of January 2024 since the passing of the
referendum in 2020:
There was a considerable response from sellers starting with Cycle 10 as this was the first time
target letters were sent county-wide (with the exception of two multi-parcel project areas) since
2010. Cycle 12A target letters were delayed in sending from February to October 2023 due to
a backlog in closings from Cycle 10. This delay resulted in less applications for Cycle 12A than
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previous cycles. Now that Cycles have moved from once to twice a year, there are less
applications in each Cycle which will help with distribution of workload on closings. Moving
forward, a concept of Cycle rankings more often than twice a year is being considered and
would help expedite acquisition.
Multi-Parcel Project Areas:
It is important to note that the concept of multi-Parcel project areas is a way to accelerate
acquisition of parcels within a defined project boundary. Because properties are already on the
A-list, this staff is able to send offer letters annually. Therefore, these properties are essentially
“pre-approved” and can skip the Cycle process since they have already been ranked on the A-
list. There are currently four (4) multi-parcel project areas.
The Red Maple Swamp and Winchester Head were established in 2004 and 2005.
• Red Maple Swamp – 245 acres (80%) of the project area of 305.8 acres has been
acquired
• Winchester Head – 109 acres (69%) of the project area of 158.4 acres has been acquired
The most recent multi-parcel project areas established in February 2023 after Board approval
are Panther Walk preserve and Dr. Robert H. Gore III preserve. These are both expansions of
existing preserve areas.
• Panther Walk - 55.74 acres (13%) of 438 acres has been acquired
• Dr. Robert H. Gore III – 215.44 acres (36%) of 598 acres has been acquired
The current status of all Conservation Collier acquisitions since Cycle 10 is on the Conservation
Collier website here: Acquisition Status Report (colliercountyfl.gov)
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PROGRAM LAND MANAGEMENT STATUS
Staff is working with contractors for the initial removal of exotic vegetation removal for newly
acquired properties including the recently acquired properties:
• Dr. Robert H. Gore – original 170 acres acquired 2018; additional 20 acres acquired
through FY23 with more being added
• North Belle Meade – new 256-acre preserve acquired in FY23
• Rivers Road – 20 acres added to this existing preserve in late FY22
• Pepper Ranch – 84 acres added to this existing preserve in FY23
After initial exotic vegetation removal, contractors are hired mostly on an annual basis or
biannually depending on budget availability to perform maintenance exotic vegetation
treatments on twenty-one (21) of the preserves. After acquisition, trails are also installed by
contractors to provide public access where feasible. Access may not be feasible where a public
roadway does not yet exist or listed species need to be protected. Once trails are installed,
mowing occurs two to three times per month depending on the growing season. The Program
currently has one (1) Landscape Technician to perform these duties.
Management Funds are used to restore and maintain natural lands through activities including:
• Trail Maintenance
• Treatment and Removal of Exotic Plant Species
• Restoration of native plant communities through plantings
• Preserve Security and Resource Protection
• Prescribed Burning
• Vegetation Mowing
Staff conducting exotic removal inspection
Photo by staff, Molly DuVall
Staff conducting land maintenance
Photo by staff, Molly DuVall
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All preserves except for Camp Keais Strand are actively managed. Camp Keais is not currently
accessible for management. Table 2 below (page 11) provides the status of each preserve
including whether it is open to the public.
Table 1. Preserve Status
Preserve Name Preserve
Acreage Preserve Status
Alligator Flag Preserve 18.46 OPEN - Trails
Camp Keais Strand Preserve 32.50 Resource Protection
Caracara Prairie Preserve 367.70 OPEN - Trails
Cocohatchee Creek Preserve 3.64 OPEN - Trails
Dr. Robert H. Gore III Preserve 215.44 OPEN - Trails
Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park 11.64 OPEN - Trails, Boardwalk, Parking, Restrooms
Gordon River Greenway 51.05 OPEN - Trails, Boardwalk, Parking, Restrooms
Logan Woods Preserve 6.78 OPEN - Trails
McIlvane Marsh Preserve 380.89 Resource Protection
Nancy Payton Preserve 71.50 OPEN - Trails, Parking
North Belle Meade Preserve 282.46 Resource Protection - may provide public access in
future
Otter Mound Preserve 2.45 OPEN - Trails, Parking
Otter Mound Preserve –
S. Barfield Rd. Tract 2.13 Resource Protection
Otter Mound Preserve –
Caxambas Dr. Tract 0.56 Resource Protection
Panther Walk Preserve 55.74 OPEN - Trails
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Pepper Ranch Preserve 2,655.20 OPEN - Trails, Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center,
Biking
Railhead Scrub Preserve 135.36 Resource Protection - will open when road is built
Rattlesnake Hammock
Preserve 37.16 Resource Protection - in process of permitting
parking lot for public access
Red Maple Swamp Preserve 246.25 Resource Protection - may provide public access in
future
Red Maple Swamp Preserve –
Brewer Tract 14.78 Resource Protection
Redroot Preserve 9.26 OPEN - Trails
Rivers Road Preserve 96.64 OPEN - Trails, Parking
Shell Island Preserve 130.61 Resource Protection - adjacent to State lands
with boardwalk
Wet Woods Preserve 26.77 Resource Protection
Winchester Head Preserve 108.79 Resource Protection - may provide public access in
future when more parcels acquired
TOTAL PROGRAM ACREAGE 4,963.76
For more information about the Conservation Collier preserves go to:
www.ConservationCollier.com
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PROGRAM FINANCIAL STATUS
Conservation Collier spent approximately $114,259,452 on properties between 2004 and 2023,
acquiring and managing 4,866 acres in 22 locations throughout Collier County. Acquisition and
management funds are generated annually for up to another 10 years (starting from FY23) from
an ad valorem property tax of up to .25 mil, or $25 for each $100,000 in taxable property value
for property owners in Collier County. Additional income is derived from investment and
banking interest, grants, cattle leases, hunt fees, and the sale of Panther Habitat Units (PHUs).
At the Board’s September 21-22, 2023 final FY 2024 Budget Hearing, the Board approved a
reduction in taxes from the proposed millage neutral budget. As part of the strategy to achieve
rolled back millage rates for the coming year transfers of funds within the Conservation Collier
Acquisition Trust Fund and the Conservation Collier Management Trust Fund were established.
The budgeted transfers will be addressed in the forthcoming 2024 Annual Report. The
Conservation Collier Program utilizes five active funds to manage Program financial resources.
• Fund 1061, Land Acquisition Fund: for property acquisition activity.
• Fund 1062, Land Maintenance Trust Fund: the primary Conservation Collier operating and
maintenance fund. This fund also contains long-term Conservation Collier Maintenance
Trust reserves.
• Fund 1063, Conservation Collier Capital Improvement Fund: significant infrastructure
improvements.
• Fund 0673, Pepper Ranch Conservation Bank: was created in October 2018 to hold funds
for the Conservation Bank at this preserve.
• Fund 0674, Caracara Preserve endowment funds and Caracara Preserve maintenance
costs are accounted for in Caracara Preserve Trust .
Sustained low interest rates and resulting low earnings on Conservation Collier Trust Funds
are an ongoing financial concern. In FY14 and FY15 using conservative projections, a Ten-
Year Financial Plan was developed which focused on reducing and containing expenditures,
establishing a combined Conservation Collier Program minimum fund balance of $40,000,000.
The Program will continue to have the $32 million as the reserve “floor” with the goal of funding
the management of the preserves in perpetuity.
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Since FY21 the Program has a new funding source of an ad valorem property tax of up to .25
mil for 10 years. Previously, Conservation Collier Ordinance 2002-63 provided that up to
seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues collected for Conservation Collier may be used for
acquisition and that management funds shall be no less than twenty-five percent (25%) of
revenues collected in one year.
On October 10, 2023, the Board approved an amendment to the Ordinance allowing for the use
of the Conservation Collier Acquisition and Management Trust Funds for any County Purpose
deemed to be in the best interest of the public. On March 26, 2024, the Board approved a
subsequent amendment to the Ordinance deleting the provision added by the October 10,
2023, amendment, and adding language allowing for withdrawal of funds from the Conservation
Collier Acquisition and Management trust funds in the event of an emergency as determined
by the Board of County Commissioners. Section 6 of the ordinance was revised in 2024 to
state that “the Board will set the millage rate for the Conservation Collier Program, which may
not exceed . 25 mills and set the percentage of revenues each Fund will receive for that fiscal
year.”
With the goal of funding the management of the preserves in perpetuity with the ad valorem tax
collected within the established 10-year period(s), the established minimum Conservation
Collier Program fund balance will be reviewed and adjusted after each acquisition cycle.
Annual preserve management operating expenses will be programed at or below annual
revenues from interest, leases, and other revenue to ensure this minimum fund balance is
maintained.
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Table 2. Land Maintenance Expenses 5-year Average
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Table 3. – Summary of Conservation Collier Financial Activity for FY23
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Conservation Collier Programs
Events, and Community/Educational Outreach
Pepper Ranch Hunt Program
Two separate hunt programs exist at Pepper Ranch Preserve - a public hunt program that is
open to all Collier County residents, regardless of age, and an FWC sponsored youth hunt
program that is open to youth aged 12-17 (12-15 for youth turkey hunts). Although youth from
Collier County are given first choice of youth hunt participation, youth hunts are open to all
Florida youths if openings cannot be filled by Collier County residents. Hogs are considered a
nuisance species and are hunted without limit. Staff conduct annual deer surveys to set quotas.
2022-2023 Hunt Season
One hundred twenty-eight (128) applications were received for the public hunting season. So
far, 12 public hunter permits have been utilized. A total of 2 deer, 12 grey squirrel and 5 hog
have been harvested to date from the public deer hunt, public hog hunts, and youth
squirrel/rabbit hunt that have taken place during the 2023-2024 hunting season. Harvest results
for the youth turkey and public turkey hunts are pending hunt completion in February and
March.
A total of 7 hunts are scheduled at Pepper Ranch Preserve during the 2023-2024 hunting
season, which is still ongoing including 5 public and 2 youth hunts. Three (3) of the public hunts
are hog hunts, 1 for deer and 1 for turkey. Youth hunts include 1 turkey hunt and 1
squirrel/rabbit/hog hunt.
Caracara Prairie Preserve Hunt Program
Caracara Prairie Preserve is established as part the Corkscrew Marsh Unit of the CREW
Wildlife Environmental Area (WEA). This allows for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission regulated public hunting for hog and spring turkey to occur within Caracara Prairie
Preserve as part of the CREW Corkscrew Marsh Unit. FWC manages these quota hunts.
Beginning in 2022, CREW Corkscrew Marsh Unit check stations are no longer staffed and
harvest results are reliant on hunters self-reporting.
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MITIGATION PROGRAMS
Conservation Collier has followed 2007 Board direction (6/26/07, Agenda Item 10A) in pursuing
both wetland and Panther Habitat Unit (PHU) mitigation credit for those properties where the
opportunity exists. Wetland mitigation credit generation has not been economical for the
Program to pursue. The costs associated with wetland mitigation bank establishment within
Conservation Collier lands are high, because only hydrologic restoration can provide the “lift”
or “functional gain” necessary to generate credits. Credits are not provided by state or federal
agencies for exotic vegetation removal since this restoration activity is already required as part
of the Conservation Collier Program. The Program has pursued PHU mitigation credits at
Caracara Prairie and Pepper Ranch preserves.
Caracara Prairie Preserve – All PHU credits have been consumed. The Conservation
Collier Program received a total of $1,301,600 in revenue over FY14 and FY15 for the PHU
credits. This revenue is estimated to fund 25% of routine management costs and 100% of costs
associated with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) PHU mitigation requirements. Interest
generated from the dedicated Caracara Prairie Preserve Management Fund is allocated
annually for exotic vegetation removal and restoration of Caracara Prairie Preserve.
Pepper Ranch Preserve – The Pepper Ranch Preserve Panther Habitat Conservation
Bank was certified by the USFWS on January 29, 2019. The Panther Habitat Conservation
Bank allows multiple County projects to be mitigated through the preservation and
enhancement of Pepper Ranch Preserve. The agreement provided for 8,669 PHU credits
expected to be used for development of future County projects at a cost savings of
$1,077,123.25.
Since 2019, 2,703.61 PHUs have been purchased from County Divisions to mitigate for four
different County projects generating a total of $1,518,450 in
revenue for management of Pepper Ranch Preserve. There
are currently 5,965.39 PHUs remaining in the Conservation
Bank. Interest generated from the dedicated Conservation
Bank Trust Fund is allocated annually for exotic vegetation
removal and restoration of the Conservation Bank portions
of the Pepper Ranch Preserve.
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GRANTS AND FUNDING ASSISTANCE
Conservation Collier has actively pursued grants and funding assistance for both acquisition
and management purposes. Currently, there have been no awards for land acquisition, but
many for management, primarily for the removal of invasive, exotic species but also for needed
equipment and plant community restoration. Exotic removal grants and funding assistance
have come from state and federal government agencies, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Partners Program) and the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) through
the Invasive Plant Management Section (IPMS). The table below shows the amount of funding
assistance obtained during FY23. The total value of grants awarded to the Program for land
management since 2003 is $1,401,231.
Preserve Agency Grant or Funding
Assistance
Amount
Awarded
Fiscal Year
Funding
Assistance
Gore Preserve State Funding Assistance $50,000 2023
Red Maple Swamp State Funding Assistance $56,645 2023
Total 2023 $106,645 2023
Looking ahead to FY24, in addition to the funding assistance applied for annually staff has
requested Board approval to apply for additional types of funding assistance with FWC for FY24
and FY25. The details of these applications will be provided with the 2024 Annual Report.
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VOLUNTEERS
During 2023, Conservation Collier was the grateful recipient of 2,305 volunteer hours.
Volunteer tasks accomplished include: • Preserve monitoring and maintenance • Trail (including mountain bike trails) creation and maintenance • FWC Youth Hunt guides • Wildlife surveys • Vegetation management • Restoration Plantings • Workdays to assist with Special Projects
Conservation Collier Volunteer Workdays include restoration plantings of native shrubs and
trees with community partners to enhance plant diversity and wildlife habitat. One workday
completed in November 2023 at the Pepper Ranch Preserve included 33 Oracle Hospitality
employees.
Workday at Pepper Ranch Preserve with Oracle
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Conservation Collier continues to partner with local Scout troops to enhance preserve
amenities on public trails. The above does not include Eagle Scout projects where total hours
worked are not collected. The following are Eagle Scout projects completed for Conservation
Collier during 2023:
• Julio Rodriguez - Alligator District, SW Florida Council- Pepper Ranch Preserve.
Removed fence damaged by Hurricane Ian and replaced with a new wooden fence in
March 2023.
• Preston Colo - Alligator District, SW Florida Council- Pepper Ranch Preserve.
Built 12 new picnic tables for the Group Campsite in April 2023.
• Owen McGourty - Alligator District, SW Florida Council- Pepper Ranch Preserve.
Built 6 new benches for group fire ring, built 2 new picnic tables and one bench for
Mountain Bike Trailhead, and performed maintenance on the butterfly garden in August
2023
Julio Rodriguez- new fence installation Preston Colo- group campsite picnic tables
Owen McGourty- benches & butterfly garden enhancement
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2024 OBJECTIVES
1. Acquire newly approved lands as part of Acquisition Cycle 12 and place them under
management.
2. Continue to accept donation properties under the Land Development Code Offsite
Preservation Option.
3. Continue to develop public access for acquired properties as directed by the Board of
County Commissioners.
4. Continue to implement land management practices at all preserves as outlined in each
Board-approved Land Management Plan.
5. Continue to implement the Collier County Hunt Program at the Pepper Ranch Preserve.
6. Secure grant funding and funding assistance wherever possible.
7. Look for any and all ways to reduce expenditures without sacrificing quality of land
management and public access amenities.
8. Continue to pursue mitigation opportunities on acquired lands.
Freedom Park preserve by staff Molly DuVall
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A. 2023 Map of Conservation Collier Program Lands
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Exhibit B. Conservation Collier Preserves by Commission District
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