October 15, 2009

A day at the PEPPER RANCH RESERVE with Conservation Collier

Join us for a day of fun at the Pepper Ranch Preserve on November 21, 2009

On February 6^th, 2009, Conservation Collier, Collier County’s taxpayer-funded land acquisition program, acquired the 2,512-acre Pepper Ranch Preserve. This property is located in Collier County, just west of the town of Immokalee, along the northern shores of Lake Trafford.

This beautiful property has been a farm, hunting grounds, cattle ranch, fishing camp and home for the Frank Pepper family of Miami and Immokalee since 1926, until it was sold to Collier County. It is also home to native wildlife and plant species, including many listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Florida. Located within the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed, the property adjoins more than 42,000 public and private acres already held in conservation status and further protects the Corkscrew Marsh, the headwaters for Collier County’s drinking water supplies.

Fourteen types of intact native plant communities are documented on the property, including woodland pasture, pine flatwoods, upland and wetland hardwood forests, oak-cabbage palm forest, cypress, freshwater marsh and wet prairie. Wildlife observed on the ranch includes sandhill cranes, caracara, American kestrels, wood storks, numerous wading bird species, bald eagles, Big Cypress fox squirrels, black bear, Florida panther, deer, hog, muskrat and alligators.

Conservation Collier invites the public for “A Day at the Ranch” on Saturday, November 21, 2009. Planned activities include short hikes, ranch tours, stories, presentations and more! Lunch will be available for purchase and water will be provided. No Reservations are needed.

The Conservation Collier Program was established by local referendum in 2002 to acquire, preserve, restore, and maintain vital and significant threatened natural lands located in Collier County for the benefit of present and future generations. The Program is funded by a property tax of 25 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value. Conservation Collier currently owns close to 4,000 acres in 19 different locations throughout the County, with 4 preserves currently open to the public and more to come! To find out more about the Conservation Collier program go to www.colliergov.net/conservationcollier or call us at (239) 252-2961.

Posted By : Cynthia Contreras |Related Categories: Events