| Lemon Bay Conservancy VISION FOR HARBOUR HEIGHTS SCRUB JAY PRESERVE Our goal is to permanently protect from development 100 acres within the 1,432 acre Harbour Heights community. The planned Preserve abuts Deep Creek Preserve,100 acres already protected by Conservation Charlotte. The Preserve features almost three miles of shoreline along the Peace River. It is critical wildlife habitat for numerous species, including the threatened Florida Scrub jay and gopher tortoise. Florida Scrub jays spend their entire lives in a single 25-acre habitat, never migrating. Their offspring remain close to “home,” moving only far enough to ensure adequate food and nesting for each family. The gopher tortoise is a keystone species that excavates burrows up to 10 feet deep and 40 feet in length. They are good neighbors: Cohabitating in their extensive burrows are as many as 350 other species among which are numerous other listed creatures. While the tortoises may be relocated, these other species cannot. The Preserve will link SWFWMD’s Lower Peace River Preserve in Desoto County, the Charlotte County Deep Creek Preserve, and preserved land at the mouth of Shell Creek., helping to create a significant bridge between Myakka River State Park and Babcock Ranch. This wildlife corridor will provide safe passage for endangered Florida panthers and black bears that need ranges of hundreds of square miles for each individual. The beauty of these protected lands would provide mankind access to a planned wilderness area for passive outdoor recreation. Trails dotted with informational kiosks and park benches will be maintained for hiking and birding and provide an opportunity for the Preserve to qualify as part of the Florida Birding Trail and the Florida BlueWays Trail. Access to the Peace River for canoeing, kayaking and fishing will be provided. The Preserve will serve as a basis for eco-tourism opportunities that will bring tourist dollars to the area, bolstering our local economy. The Preserve will:
protect natural resources such as native plants, trees, and landscapes prevent fragmentation and the loss of natural areas provide opportunities to enjoy local wildlife and have access to unspoiled lands keep our air fresh and the water of the Peace River clean offer tranquility that helps reduce the stress of everyday life. 941.830-8922 www.lemonbayconservancy.org |
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Copyright © 2012 HHCA, Inc. All rights reserved.
| Harbour Heights Civic Association, Inc. |
