North Port and our surrounding areas are composed of a diverse range of natural communities, often referred to as habitat: scrub, scrubby flatwoods, mesic hammocks, mesic (pine) flatwoods and freshwater wetlands, that are experiencing daily alteration or destruction as a result of development.
Conservation of undeveloped land amidst development preserves wildlife habitat, threatened and/or endangered species and biodiversity; maintains scenic landscape for people; helps reduce flooding; helps filter water/improve water quality; and maintains the tree canopy and native vegetation that serve as filters for our air.
Conserving land increases property values near these greenspaces too.
When we conserve land, all living things win.
Research indicates that it is not necessarily how much time is spent in nature, or how much is learned about the environment that fosters love and respect for our wild lands ... it is the having of a positive experience in nature that creates emotional connection.
This is how we create a conservation ethic in young and old alike.
Visit us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to view learn more about our local flora and fauna, view educational videos and guest speaker presentation recordings and get up to date information on our land conservation efforts and successes.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ECnorthport
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/npconservancy/
YouTube:
WAYS TO PERMANENTLY CONSERVE LAND
There are several ways for a conservancy to obtain and permanently protect/conserve land:
(1) Sale and purchase;
(2) Acceptance of a land donation;
(3) Receipt of a bequest in the estate planning process (such as in a last will and testament) or
(4) Entry into an agreement for a conservation easement, which is a way to protect land while keeping it in private ownership, and which are generally placed on large parcels of land or acreage.
Whether you want to keep your land, donate it or sell it, we are willing to explore your conservation opportunities with you.
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
Since our launch in February of 2020, The Environmental Conservancy Of North Port, Inc. has worked to educate the public on the importance of creating a balance between development and our environment in our neighborhoods through the conservation/protection of undeveloped natural land.
Thanks to many generous donors, we have been able to acquire and permanently protect 14 parcels in North Port (Sarasota County) and 6 parcels in Harbour Heights (Charlotte County) by purchase to date.
We have received 2 additional parcels in North Port and 1 in Port Charlotte by donation free of charge.
Visit our Gallery Page to view a slide show overview of some of these parcels and some close ups of what is now protected upon them.
Our long term goal is to acquire undeveloped land in as many neighborhoods of Sarasota and Charlotte Counties as possible for permanent conservation of our local flora and fauna.
The vast majority of North Port is zoned for residential development as shown on the Future Land Use Map above. North Port is 104 square miles (65,560 acres) and there is no City-owned formally designated conservation land within our neighborhoods beyond the parcels we have conserved through donations or those that have been conserved by private land owners.
Imagine 65,560 acres clear-cut and developed as the years pass by. Where will the wildlife go? Erasure of our current native plant population and local native tree canopy is a certainty too.
This same scenario is the case for many of our surrounding area neighborhoods including Port Charlotte, Harbour Heights, Venice, Englewood and Sarasota.
Without conservation land to create greenspace for nature to remain as our neighborhoods continue to develop, it will be impossible to maintain the biodiversity that is necessary for the long term survival of our native flora and fauna.
Our 2023 Board is made up of 5 volunteer citizens of North Port, Port Charlotte and Deep Creek with over 50 years of local residency and environmental field experience between them.
Barbara is a University of Florida Master Naturalist, a Florida Registered Paralegal and Director of the North Port Nature Stewards on Facebook. The North Port Nature Stewards was created in an effort to provide education that will increase citizen awareness, understanding and respect for North Port's flora and fauna/natural world. Barbara grew up in Charlotte County and moved to North Port in 2002.
Juno is a passionate environmentalist with over 10 years experience working and volunteering across a variety of organizations. Most recently, Juno served as Guest Relations Associate at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, assisting with customer service, event operations and volunteer management. Prior to that, she worked for 2 years at the Department of Environmental Protection, drafting and executing treatment plans to help control invasive exotic plants and as a hands-on crew member during over 13 prescribed burns. Juno states: "Through learning from local land managers and forging connections within the parks service, I feel confident that what I lack in years of experience, I bring in my commitment, and my time and drive to achieve great things for the Conservancy.”
Paul has been a resident of Port Charlotte (Charlotte County) for the last 49 years. He is a retired Senior Superintendent in the commercial construction industry where he had worked with the Army Corp of Engineers, Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (including being trained as a stormwater management inspector and in wetland, sensitive and archaeological land protection). Prior to becoming involved in commercial construction, Paul worked in residential construction in Port Charlotte and surrounding areas to include residential home site planning, environmental land protection and engineering.
Robin Hagan (RH Photo Adventures) is a graduate of the University of Florida Master Naturalist Program, an avid outdoor photographer and local hiking guide. She also participates as a Hike Ambassador for the Gals Who Hike Florida Facebook group. www.rhphotoadventures.com or www.instagram.com/rh_photoadventures/ or https://www.facebook.com/RHPhotoAdventures
David is a graduate of Providence College as well as the University of Florida's Master Naturalist program. David is a proven community organizer and effective public speaker. David focusses on community education, outreach and organization. He has volunteered with multiple local environmental and wildlife nonprofits for the past 15 years. David started the educational Facebook page North Port Florida Wildlife and Flora and spends his free time hiking, biking, kayaking and continuously learning.
McKeithen Growers. Inc. of Myakka City is our go-to tree supplier. To view their list of available trees and services, visit their website at mckeithengrowers.com, inquire via email eddie@mckeithen.net or telephone 941-232-9377.
The Mission of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. The Mangrove Chapter serves Charlotte County and southern Sarasota County. Several of their members have volunteered with us on plant identification events on our conservation parcels. Learn more about the Mangrove Chapter at: https://mangrove.fnpschapters.org/
The Kindness Community works to share the healing power of Art and Kindness ~ to ourselves, to one another, and to our Mother Earth. We share a vision of co-existing and connectedness.
Please take a minute and sign the Kindness Pledge here.
https://www.northportartcenter.org/kindness-pledge.html
Learn more about The Kindness Community at: https://www.facebook.com/kindnesscommunityfl/
Jennifer Krajcir provides environmental consulting that works for you, whether you've already purchased a parcel to build on, or are planning to.
Services include:
Gopher Tortoise Surveys Permitting County/FWC Coordination Relocation .
Environmental Evaluation Assessment for building / clearing permits Assessment for rezoning
Wetland Identification / Delineation Protected Species Habitat Mapping Feasibility Study .
Waterfront Property Dock / Seawall Mangrove Trimming Coastal Construction Control Line(CCCL) .
Protected Species Protected Species Burrowing Owl Permitting Florida Scrub Jay Surveys Bald Eagle Management Plans Bald Eagle Monitoring
To learn more visit http://www.suncoasteco.com/
941-303-3745
Robin Hagan (RH Photo Adventures) is a University of Florida trained Florida Master Naturalist, avid outdoor photographer and local hiking guide. She also participates as a Hike Ambassador for the Gals Who Hike Florida Facebook group.
To learn more, review Robin's upcoming event schedule and photography work, visit:
www.rhphotoadventures.com or www.instagram.com/rh_photoadventures/or https://www.facebook.com/RHPhotoAdventures
Attorney Holmes and his paralegal Debi Lantzer Stout provide in-kind legal services in the handling of our land acquisition transactions.
Attorney Holmes practices in the areas of
Asset Protection, Business & Corporate, Litigation, Local Government, Physician Services and Real Estate.
To learn more visit:
https://www.facebook.com/FarrLaw
941-639-1158
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