Properties of high natural resource value throughout Collier County from willing and voluntary participants will be considered for acquisition under the Conservation Collier Program. Properties need to support at least two of the following qualities: rare habitat, aquifer recharge, flood control, water quality protection, and listed species habitat to qualify for further consideration.

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners has appointed a Land Acquisition Advisory Committee to consider any selected or nominated properties where an owner has indicated a willingness to sell. The committee will recommend property purchases for final approval by the County Commission.

As of June 2009, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program has acquired close to 4,000 acres of land in 19 different project locations with additional acreage under contract.  Lands offered to the program must meet at least 2 out of the 6 Initial Screening Criteria to qualify for further evaluation and potential acquisition. Ranking, recommendation and approvals start in December of each year.  At that time, the next Acquisition cycle will begin.  Acquisition cycles will continue yearly until all revenues are committed.  Citizens may nominate any Collier County lands for acquisition. If nominated lands meet Initial Screening Criteria, staff will contact owners to ask if they are willing to sell. To Nominate land for the Conservation Collier Program, please contact Alexandra Sulecki, Program Coordinator at (239) 252-2961 or by e-mail at ConservationCollier@Colliergov.net.   Willing sellers must fill out an application to start the evaluation process.

Content updated June 9, 2009.