17,229 Acres Of Southwest Florida Purchased For Conservation

As developers continue to build up vast sections of Southwest Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is going in the opposite direction, buying up huge chunks of land for conservation. The latest is the purchase of 17,229 acres integral to the Florida Wildlife Corridor in Hendry County. This closing takes the conservation of the Devil’s Garden Florida Forever Project to over 60% complete.

“Often conservation happens in small increments, but today we are taking a giant step forward in a critical area thanks to this historic deal,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “Thanks to the support from Governor DeSantis, the Legislature and our state’s landowners for recognizing the importance of restoring and maintaining these vital habitats and ecosystems.” 

The Devil's Garden are stretches from the Caloosahatchee River to Big Cypress National Preserve. It's an important preserve for the Florida panther and a main supplier of water for the  Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. Here's where the conservation area is in Southwest Florida's Hendry County:

This is an amazing step by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in protecting these lands. Southwest Florida is developing fast and certain areas need to be protected from the bulldozer. It's frightening just how much this area has changed over the last 20 years. A lot of our natural habitats are being paved to build more housing, and it's nowhere more evident than in Estero. The amount of construction going on Corkscrew Road is mind-boggling, although I do applaud the city for purchasing land along the Estero River and keeping it from further development. Protecting land is key.

Since 2019, the state of Florida has committed more than $1.4 billion to the Florida Forever program, including $950 million specifically for the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This consistent funding has enabled DEP to acquire over 265,000 acres for conservation since 2019, 92% of which are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. 

We're about to get a huge reminder of why we can't pave everything, there's a whole lot of rain heading our way this week. In undeveloped areas, nature allows the drainage of all the water that's coming. Other parts of our area that's full of roads, parking lots, and homes will see flooding. Stay safe everyone.

Hurricane season begins Saturday, June 1st. It is a phrase that can cause dread for some Southwest Floridians. Many are still trying to get back on their feet from Hurricane Ian, two seasons ago. To help you get prepared, these hurricane supplies are tax free in Florida beginning this weekend.

State lawmakers passed two Disaster Preparedness sales tax holidays giving Floridians a break when stocking up on some basic supplies. The list of items that are about to be tax free is pretty extensive and may include things you don't typically think about when it comes to hurricane supplies.

I love that lawmakers not only consider things you might need for your personal safety during and immediately following a storm like flashlights and tarps. In addition, they consider things you might need if you are forced to evacuate with a beloved pet.

You can't exactly go on a crazy shopping spree as there are limits on spending in each category. However, you CAN be strategic and shop a little each day to get the maximum in sales tax savings.

If you have questions about what is exempt or if for some reason a store did not honor a tax-free purchase, click here to get more info.

In addition, a second, similar tax-free holiday for hurricane supplies happens later in the season, August 24th, just before activity tends to ramp up. it runs through September 6th.

In the meantime, here are a few items to stock up on beginning Saturday, June 1st. Make your list and get your disaster kit ready. Officials are predicting the 2024 season is going to be an active and strong one so be prepared and have a plan, just in case.

Generators can be life savers, literally, in the days and weeks following a major storm. They help preserve food if the power goes out, help supply oxygen and other vital services. The sales tax is waved on generators costing up to $3000. Over that, you'll need to pay.

This covers lighting as far as flashlights, lanterns and candles. These light sources can be powered by solar, by battery or gas and must be $40 and under to qualify.

When power goes out, batteries are essential for flashlights, radios and more. The sales tax is waved on AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6- volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less. It's a good time to grab a power pack or power bank at $60 or less.

Radios were crucial for communication and information following Hurricane Ian. Tax is waved on portable radios, two-way radios and weather-band radios. This does not mean you get to buy a new sound system tax free. Limits are $50 or less.

One of the things we learned from Hurricane Ian is the need for a few basic supplies such as bleach and laundry detergents. Also included in this section are items such as paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, soap, disinfectant, sanitizer, and sunscreen.

Tarps and similar waterproof sheeting is included. The price cap for these items is $100. In addition, sales tax is waved on items typically sold with tarps such as ground anchor or tie-down kits costing $100 or less.

This includes coolers that are $60 and under as well as those reusable ice packs that come in at $20 or less. Experts advise keeping them on hand and full of ice when a storm is approaching.

This includes items you might need when evacuating with a pet. The list includes such thing as portable kennels or pet carries ($100 or less), pet beds ($40 or less), pet medications ($100 or less). In addition, you'll be able to purchase items such as leashes, collars, waste disposal bags, food and more, all with price caps.

This list includes items such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors all costing $70 or less. House fires a are common after the power gets reconnected.