By: Concerned Citizens for Lee County | Special to East Lee County News
Southwest Florida has been losing its natural defenses at an alarming rate. Between 1999 and 2023, Lee County lost 31% of its wetlands, and from 1996 to 2010, more than 90 square miles of wetlands and land cover vanished—far above the national average. Wetlands buffer hurricanes, filter drinking water, sustain wildlife, and support recreation—yet development continues to erode them under “mitigation” promises that rarely deliver true replacements.
CONSERVATION 20/20
In 1996, residents voted to tax themselves to create Conservation 20/20, a landmark program that has preserved thousands of acres and become one of the county’s most popular initiatives. But the program has been weakened. During the 2000s downturn, its dedicated levy was absorbed into the county’s general fund. A 2015 ordinance set a funding floor of $40 million, but commissioners recently sidestepped replenishing the fund—costing the program more than 500 acres of nominated land.
WEAKENING OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY
The threat isn’t just financial. Oversight and public trust in the program have also been eroded:
– Oversight has tilted toward development interests while public participation has been curtailed—citizens no longer receive agendas, cannot present visuals, and see their comments stripped from the record.
– Subcommittees that once provided detailed review were dissolved and never replaced, leading to questionable decisions such as allowing saw palmetto berry harvesting in preserves until residents objected.
– Preserves have been opened to utility and infrastructure uses, including stormwater ponds, water wells, and even hurricane debris dumping.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
• If Conservation 20/20 falters, the consequences will be felt on every front: rising flood costs, declining water quality, weakened storm protection, shrinking tourism, and vanishing wildlife habitats. These aren’t distant warnings—they’re already happening.
• With 86,000 new rooftops planned, growth is racing ahead of safeguards. Conservation lands are not luxuries; they are essential infrastructure that protect water, reduce flooding, and shield communities. Every acre preserved today is insurance against tomorrow’s losses.
• While other Florida counties are strengthening their conservation efforts, Lee County—once a leader in citizen-driven preservation—now risks falling behind.
RECONCILING THE PAST AND BRINGING CONSERVATION INTO THE FUTURE
The original campaign for Conservation 2020 was built on urgency: a call to prevent unchecked growth. That urgency succeeded in shaping today’s landscape. But the future requires a shift from crisis-driven action to long-term vision.
The question now is: what comes next? The challenge is twofold. On one hand, advocates want to honor the original vision and preserve as much land as possible, practically. On the other hand, taxpayers, families, and future residents need these lands to be actively maintained, accessible, and preserved in the face of growth and environmental pressures. Reconciling these priorities requires a practical and future-oriented plan.
SUGGESTED STEPS TO TAKE, NOW
1. Define a New Goalpost
The original 20% goal was critical in its time, but today it is outdated. Setting a realistic new benchmark, one based on defined wants and needs, will give the county a clear standard to measure success against.
2. Establish Flexible Funding
Instead of relying on inconsistent allocations from the general fund, a dedicated portion of existing millage should be reserved for conservation and parks. This would not raise taxes but would permanently safeguard resources for acquisitions, improvements, and maintenance.
3. Reorganize Management
With fewer tracts left to acquire, the county’s focus must shift toward stewardship. Merging Conservation 2020 fully with Parks and Recreation would align missions, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure that lands already purchased are well-managed and accessible.
4. Strategic Acquisitions
Future land purchases should be deliberate and tied to clear public benefits—water management, wildlife corridors, and recreation. Using tools like the Florida Forever acquisition list, the county can target properties that maximize environmental and community impact.
5. Expand Partnerships
Partnerships with state and federal agencies already exist, as several Lee County preservation lands are co-managed and can be expanded. In cases where the state or another entity manages the land, reverter clauses can guarantee that properties remain in conservation permanently. This balances collaboration with the protection of local interests.
6. Beyond Government
Lee County could strengthen 20/20 through a nonprofit stewardship partner—raising private funds, coordinating volunteers, and expanding community buy-in. Under such an agreement, the county keeps ownership and oversight while private dollars and community energy amplify capacity. This approach means shared responsibility, stable funding that blends tax support with philanthropy, stronger community engagement, and transparency through independent audits and public reporting.
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD
Conservation 20/20 remains one of Lee County’s greatest achievements. But underfunded and politically vulnerable, its future depends on vigilance and innovation. By setting new goals, securing funding, reorganizing management, and embracing partnerships, the program can evolve into a balanced framework that protects land, water, and wildlife while honoring the legacy of 1996.
