Collier County expands wildlife-corridor and habitat protection

Collier County approved Conservation Collier's $7.81 million purchase of a 625-acre ranch linking the Florida Panther refuge and Big Cypress, preventing potential subdivision into 52 ranchettes. A separate Marco Island acquisition protects breeding gopher tortoise and burrowing owl habitat, coastal scrub, and maritime hammock while expanding the Barfield Burrows connection. Public access and long-term management remain unresolved, while a proposed Veterans Memorial Parkway extension raises new wetland concerns and has an October 22 comment deadline.