Each year we will report progress on our 2030 Strategic Conservation Plan using the goals and metrics below. Check back for our first update toward the end of 2025!
CLEAN WATER
GOAL
To protect, enhance, and restore lands that ensure our clean water drinking supply.
METRICS
• # acres enhanced
• % of watershed enhanced
• # acres conserved
• % of watershed conserved
FOCUS AREAS
• Myakka Ranchlands
• Jacks Branch-Long Island Marsh
• Upper Manatee River
• Lower Peace River
IMPERILED SPECIES
GOAL
To protect, enhance, and restore lands that support native wildlife species and biodiversity.
METRICS
• # acres of habitat conserved
• # miles of corridor created
• # of populations conserved, per target species
• # acres enhanced
• # of trees planted
• # of all plants planted
FOCUS AREAS
• Myakka Ranchlands
• Jacks Branch-Long Island Marsh
• Corkscrew Swamp
• Charlotte Harbor
• Upper Manatee River
COASTAL RESILIENCY
GOAL
To protect, enhance, and restore lands that increase community resilience to natural disasters.
METRICS
• # acres conserved within high sea level rise (SLR) risk focus areas
• # linear feet of shoreline conserved within high SLR risk focus areas
FOCUS AREAS
• Terra Ceia
• Lower Myakka River
• Lower Peace River
• Charlotte Harbor
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
GOAL
To protect, enhance, and restore lands that practice sustainable agriculture.
METRICS
• # acres conserved of sustainable agriculture (as defined by USDA)
• # of producers who conserve their land with Big Waters Land Trust (BWLT)
• # acres enrolled in Best Management Practices (BMPs) as a result of BWLT activity
• # of producers who enroll in BMPs as a result of BWLT activity
• # of Historically Underserved (HU) producers who conserve their land with Land Trust
• # of HU producers who enroll in target BMPs as a result of BWLT activity
FOCUS AREAS
• Myakka Ranchlands
• Upper Manatee River
• Jacks Branch-Long Island Marsh
• Charlotte Harbor
ACCESS FOR ALL
GOAL
To protect, enhance, and restore lands that increase access to open spaces.
METRICS
• # of parks created or enhanced within high-priority park need census blocks
• # linear feet of trail/path/sidewalk created or enhanced within high-priority park need census blocks
• # of trees planted within low tree equity score census blocks
FOCUS AREAS
• Cape Coral
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
GOAL
To protect, enhance, and restore lands that store carbon naturally.
METRICS
• # acres conserved in high carbon focus areas
• # metric tons of CO2 equivalent conserved (using published estimated values)
• # metric tons CO2 emissions avoided
FOCUS AREAS
• Lower Peace River
• Lower Myakka River
• Corkscrew Swamp
• Terra Ceia
• Charlotte Harbor
MAKE A GIFT
Your gift strengthens Florida’s resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives, and helps safeguard our community for generations to come. Together, we are ensuring all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy, and all the other physical and mental benefits nature provides, now and forever
DONATEsave your land
Those interested in learning more about how to protect their land, including funding resources available, are encouraged to complete our online contact form here or call us at 941-918-2100. We also invite you to email our Director of Land Protection, Brooke Langston, or our Land Stewardship Manager, Lee Amos.
LANDOWNER RESOURCES
