Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve
This property is an important piece of the 567-acres of conservation lands on the east side of Stringfellow Road on Pine Island.
The Story
Big Waters assisted Lee County in acquiring 190 acres as an addition to its Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve, which now totals over 900 acres. We worked closely with the landowner - who previously conserved 230 acres at Pine Island Preserve at Matlacha Pass - in order to purchase this property using Lee County Conservation 20/20 funding.
Why it Matters
This addition to Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve expands the County ownership to the east side of Stingfellow Road and extends through a mangrove forest out to Matlacha Pass. Together with Big Waters' Pine Island Preserve at Matacha Pass, and land owned by Calusa Land Trust, this forms a 567-acre complex of conservation lands on the east side of Stringfellow Road. Large conservation areas such as these are needed if we are to sustain the fish and wildlife that make our communities unique. For example, the eastern indigo snakes (non-venomous) found on Pine Island are known be far ranging, with territories around 640 acres in size.
For directions, hours, rules, and more information visit the Lee County website.
Just the Facts
190
Acres
Date Acquired
2011
- Mesic pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, mangrove swamp, mesic hammock
- Owned and managed by Lee County
- Access limited to certain areas
Open to the Public
Getting There
Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve has public access on the western portion of the County-owned land. At this time there is no access to the Bayside portion. However, public trails are to be opened in connection with the development and future opening of Big Waters' Pine Island Preserve.
ConnectivityHabitat/WildlifeOpen to the PublicWater
