The League of Women Voters of Lee County (LWVLee) will host a crucial public forum, “Overdevelopment in SWFL: Sacrificing Wildlife and Erasing Agriculture,” on April 4, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The event will take place at The Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson St, Fort Myers, FL in Fort Myers with a virtual attendance option via Zoom.
Registration: https://LWVLeeEnvironmentUpdate.eventbrite.com click for flyer
As Southwest Florida faces unprecedented growth, the region’s delicate ecological and agricultural balance is at a breaking point. This forum addresses the “sacrifice of wildlife” caused by habitat loss and the rapid erasure of Florida’s agricultural heritage, as historic cattle ranches and citrus groves are replaced by sprawling residential developments.
“Southwest Florida is confronting the pressure of rapid and massive growth,” said a spokesperson for LWVLee. “The LWVLee forum will examine how this sprawl jeopardizes species recovery for iconic wildlife like the Florida panther and manatee, while threatening the very survival of farm families who rely on low-density land to protect water supply and recharge our aquifers.”
The event brings together leading voices from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Bear Warriors United, and Defending Rural Florida to call for a united effort to champion Florida’s rural and conservation lands.
Featured Expert Speakers:
- Amber Crooks: Senior Environmental Policy Advisor, Conservancy of Southwest Florida (Wildlife and Water Policy Specialist).
- Katrina Shadix: Executive Director, Bear Warriors United (Wildlife Advocacy).
- John Hallman: Seventh-generation Florida cattle rancher and legislative liaison for Defending Rural Florida.
Event Details:
- Date: April 4, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Location: The Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson St, Fort Myers, FL (or via Zoom)
- Registration: https://LWVLeeEnvironmentUpdate.eventbrite.com
About the League of Women Voters of Lee County:
The League of Women Voters of Lee County, Inc. is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. It works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
