Before pursuing the preservation
of a property, the Conservancy conducts a full survey of natural assets as well as any cultural or historic elements. To qualify as a target property, each project is ranked for rarity, water resources, connectivity, quality, and manageability. Pictured is Jack Taylor, doctor of biology and
long-time Conservancy volunteer.
In 2007, Lemon Bay Conservancy entered into negotiations to acquire the last intact shell midden, believed to be a pre-Calusa Indian village, in Charlotte County. The property is bounded by Lemon Bay to the west and by tracts zoned residential on all other perimeters, including two parcels immediately contiguous to it that total ~4.89 acres. A conservation easement exists on the portion of the wetland habitat that contains the midden, although it allows for boardwalk and docks for potential homeowners.
The land is a mangrove swamp and mesic flatwood habitat. It’s use potential:
Archaeological Site: Approximately 1/3 of the property (Parcel 1) is occupied by the intact Indian shell midden. A partnership to perform an archaeological dig is planned working through the University of Florida. The project will serve the local community and academia as an educational tool.
Florida Blue Ways Trail: Roadway access invites the construction of canoe/kayak launch (Parcel 2).
South Florida Birding Trail: The combined properties offer potential habitat to Bald Eagles, herons, egrets, rails, as well as many migrating species.
Fourteen parcels are either contiguous to the midden parcels or on nearby islands. They are either completely wetlands or contain significant estuarine wetland areas composed primarily of mangrove swamp habitat.
Lemon Bay is both an Outstanding Florida Water and an Aquatic Preserve. As such, these mangrove areas are afforded significant regulatory protection. Since these regulations render any development within these mangrove areas extremely difficult, if not impossible, the monetary value should be very low when considered without any of the adjacent upland areas.
The Conservancy proposes to protect the two midden parcels as well as the adjacent mangrove areas. The protected area would be many times the size of the midden parcels alone.
Given the nature of these additional parcels, the Conservancy may be able to protect this additional mangrove area at little or no additional cost.
Lemon Bay Conservancy partnered with Wetlands Conservation, Inc., Florida Park Service (FDE), aand Southwest Florida Water Management District in order to strengthen...
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A project is intended to permanently protect 800 acres within the 1,432 acre Harbour Heights Community.
It is critical wildlife habitat...
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Besides preservation of land conservation, residents of Cape Haze Peninsula will benefit...
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In 2008, Lemon Bay Conservancy entered into partnership with People for Trees. Their primary mission is education through childrens programs and tree planting...
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If you would like to learn more about how you can help keep.There are many ways you
can help.
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The midden and surrounding properties front 850 feet of Lemon Bay, providing critical habitat for crabs and fish spawn. Preserving shoreline provides protection to our communities from storm surge and predicted sea rise while providing critical filtration of pollutants that would otherwise flow directly into the bay. Maintaining properties in public trust ensures that all citizens will have access to abundant Florida waters, and we can maintain healthy populations of wildlife.
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2980 PLACIDA ROAD
SUITE 201
ENGLEWOOD, FLORIDA 34224
info@lemonbayconservancy.org
941.830.8922