Through partnership with USFWS, conservation foundation of the gulf coast will restore 46 acres of pastureland within the 230 acre pine island preserve at matlacha pass, a community resource and…

Through partnership with USFWS, conservation foundation of the gulf coast will restore 46 acres of pastureland within the 230 acre pine island preserve at matlacha pass, a community resource and nature preserve on pine island in LEE county, florida. The pasture will be restored to pine flatwoods habitat that will expand existing, connected flatwoods habitat to over 240 acres, spanning multiple preserves. The project will focus on establishing groundcover within the 46 acre pasture site first, by removing pasture grasses and undesirable plants with herbicide and mechanical treatments, and second, by direct seeding field collected grasses to restore the groundcover component of the flatwoods. Prescribed fire will be applied every 3 4 years, or at least once within the funding period. The pasture restoration area will connect seamlessly with existing flatwoods and prior restoration areas, expanding habitat. All work will be supervised and managed by staff biologists at conservation foundation. Pine island preserve at matlacha pass is a 230 acre public park and nature preserve serving as trail head for LEE county s 190 acre pine island flatwoods preserve, 173 acres of calusa land trust preserves, and public water access to matlacha pass NWR, charlotte harbor preserve state park, and matlacha pass aquatic preserve. IT is identified as high value conservation area within the southeast conservation blueprint 2020. Investments from the USFWS will benefit eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise found onsite, as well as many other species of greatest conservation need.