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FORT MYERS — Lee County recently closed on an acquisition of a 427-acre site in the northeast section of the county for $4.4 million.
The purchase, through the Conservation 20/20 program, is of land directly south of State Road 80 and less than a mile west of Hickey Creek Mitigation Park in Alva, according to a statement. It’s also adjacent to the River Hall subdivision and formerly referred to as the Carter Ranch, the release adds.
The parcel is a diverse mix of upland and wetland native plant communities including cypress forest, cabbage palms, pine flatwoods and mesic hardwood hammock. The land was purchased from Amtel Farms Inc. and will now be known as Oak Hammock Preserve, the release states. Passive recreation opportunities including hiking trails with parking are anticipated on this preserve, officials say.
The acquisition adds to a large area of existing conservation land in northeast Lee County, which protects an area nearly six miles wide and three miles long. Officials say. Lee County commissioners approved the purchase contract in August. The preserve is the 51st Conservation 20/20 preserve acquired by Lee County since the program was established in 1996.
The Lee County Conservation 20/20 program acquires land from willing sellers for resource-based recreational opportunities such as hiking, bird-watching, nature study, photography and paddle craft launches. The program for environmentally sensitive land acquisition and management has preserved 31,060 acres since its inception.
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