SB 354 and HB 299, Blue Ribbon Projects, are two bills making their way through the Florida House and Senate that would grant big landowners the right to ignore local land use controls and protections of rural areas. These bills would green-light large projects with little oversight and no public participation.

Local comprehensive plans are created by the community, planning experts, and local stakeholders. These plans are the foundation of our community’s character, and new developments must meet the standards set forth in the comprehensive plan. The Blue Ribbon Projects bill completely upends this foundational structure for large-scale development projects.

The Blue Ribbon Projects could also put taxpayers at risk. Road networks and other infrastructure will be needed to support these sprawling developments. We know that development doesn’t pay for itself, and local taxpayers – who will have no say in whether this sprawl should be approved – will likely be left paying for the creation and upkeep of these new facilities.

The bills limit local governments to just 60 days to determine whether new 10,000+ acre projects meet not only local comprehensive plans, but also the vague criteria. If a city or county can’t meet that deadline, the project is automatically approved, and those development entitlements persist for 50 years.

And the bills say these projects will be approved by local government administrators, not by the elected officials, effectively shutting the public out of the local planning process.

Is this bill necessary? Absolutely NOT! There are tools already available in state law to allow for large-scale planning efforts, such as the ability for large landowners to create sector plans. These currently existing avenues for rural planning include full public participation, with the final decisions made, as they should be, by local elected officials during a public hearing to ensure that the sector plan is consistent with the local land use plan. 

We need you to contact legislators at the next committee stops for this bill, along with the bill sponsors. Those committees are the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Rules Committee. Please let them know you want them to vote NO on this dangerous bill.

Local comprehensive plans are created by the community, planning experts, and local stakeholders. These plans are the foundation of our community’s character, and new developments must meet the standards set forth in the comprehensive plan. The Blue Ribbon Projects bill completely upends this foundational structure for large-scale development projects.

The Blue Ribbon Projects could also put taxpayers at risk. Road networks and other infrastructure will be needed to support these sprawling developments. We know that development doesn’t pay for itself, and local taxpayers – who will have no say in whether this sprawl should be approved – will be left paying for the creation and upkeep of these new facilities.

The bills limit local governments to just 60 days to determine whether new 10,000+acre projects meet not only local comprehensive plans, but also the bills’ vague criteria. If a city or county can’t meet that deadline, the project is automatically approved, and those development entitlements persist for 50 years.

And the bills say these projects will be approved by local government administrators, not by the elected officials, effectively shutting the public out of the local planning process.

Is this bill necessary? Absolutely NOT! There are tools already available in state law to allow for large-scale planning efforts, such as the ability for large landowners to create sector plans. These currently existing avenues for rural planning include full public participation, with the final decisions made, as they should be, by local elected officials during a public hearing to ensure that the sector plan is consistent with the local land use plan. 

We need you to contact legislators on the next committee stops for this bill. Those committees are the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development. Please let them know you want them to vote NO on this dangerous bill.

However, there were some included provisions (sections 18 and 28) that largely slipped under the radar. Both provisions introduced a chokehold on local government’s broader ability to implement any changes that could be considered “more restrictive or burdensome” to their comprehensive plans and land development codes, even in cases unrelated to building hurricane resilience or rebuilding post-storm. You can read more about that here.

There are multiple bills that have been introduced during the current, ongoing legislative session, aimed at fixing some of the problems introduced by SB 180, including the aforementioned damaging sections. However, the most promising is Senate Bill (SB) 840.

While not perfect, SB 840 introduces some positive changes to SB 180’s provisions. These include:

• Narrowing the scope of SB 180’s language to be more specific to hurricane recovery applications
• Removing the especially damaging and undefined “more restrictive or burdensome” phrasing from SB 180
• Redefining an “impacted local government” as listed within the federal register and within 50, rather than the original 100 miles, of a declared storm track
• Restoring home rule and the ability of local governments to forge ahead with the comprehensive planning and adoption process more generally, including building resilience, even if there are some restrictions on enforcement directly following storms

Please join us in urging the Senate to support SB 840 as the best vehicle to fix the problems caused by SB 180 and consider additional language improvements to:

• Amend SB 840 so it gives the multiple local governments whose comprehensive planning amendments have been nullified or rejected due to SB 180, a pathway for reconsideration at the state level

We also need your help in reaching out to your Representative, because there is no true House companion to SB 840. This means that even if this bill passes in the Senate, without both broad House support and a House companion bill, SB 840 might not make it over the finish line. The best solution on the House side is to ask your representative to support amending House Bill (HB) 217 so it mirrors the positive inclusions contained within SB 840 and also addresses the improvement specified above. We need your help in convincing the House to take up additional important work of addressing SB 180’s most significant shortcomings.

Gopher Tortoise

The gopher tortoise was brought to the hospital after being struck by a car. Upon admission, the tortoise was in critical condition. A full initial examination revealed a cranial carapace fracture, significant facial swelling, and fresh bleeding from both the nares and mouth. After the tortoise was stabilized, the staff veterinarian performed a sedated examination and determined that the tortoise had also suffered a fractured jaw.

Similar to humans, animals with fractured jaws are unable to eat normally and require a liquid or soft food diet while healing. Gopher tortoises are herbivores that feed on a variety of grasses and plants, all of which require chewing. Because chewing is currently impossible for this tortoise, the veterinarian placed a feeding tube while the animal was under sedation to ensure proper nutrition throughout recovery. During the same procedure, the veterinarian also debrided the carapace wound to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing.

Injuries of this severity can take a long time to heal. The jaw injury is expected to require at least eight weeks of recovery, while the carapace fracture may take even longer. Throughout this process, the tortoise is being closely monitored and is receiving pain medication, antibiotics, daily tube feedings, morning soaks, regular bandage changes, and supervised time outdoors for fresh air and natural sunlight.

As gopher tortoises continue to lose habitat due to development, they are increasingly forced to move in search of food or suitable areas to dig burrows. This often leads them to cross busy roadways. If you see a gopher tortoise crossing the road, please stop and, if it is safe to do so, help guide the tortoise across in the direction it was already heading. If you are unsure where to place the tortoise, you may transport it to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. Any tortoise showing signs of injury, especially fresh blood, should be brought in immediately for professional care.

Eastern Screech Owl

Another patient currently recovering at the wildlife hospital is an eastern screech owl. Eastern screech owls are Florida’s smallest owl species, standing only about nine inches tall, and are frequently mistaken for baby owls. Despite their name, their call sounds more like a trill than a screech. They also possess specialized feathers with soft, comb-like edges that allow them to fly silently, making them highly effective nighttime hunters.

This owl was injured after colliding with a vehicle late at night. The finder responded quickly and responsibly by stopping immediately and safely containing the owl. Although the hospital was closed at the time, the finder listened to the after-hours voicemail instructions and kept the owl in a warm, dark, and quiet space overnight. The following morning, the owl was brought to the hospital as soon as it opened.

An initial examination revealed trauma to the right eye as well as fractures to both wings. Pain medication and eye treatments were administered to address swelling and discomfort. While the eye injury has since healed, the owl remains in a small recovery enclosure to limit movement and prevent further damage while the wing fractures continue to mend.

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital understands that accidents involving wildlife can happen despite best intentions. If you ever see an animal hit by a car, please bring it to a wildlife hospital as soon as possible. The faster an injured animal receives care from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, the greater its chance of survival and eventual return to the wild.

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital is located at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida – 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples, FL. Please call 239-262-2273 for wildlife assistance. We are open 365 days a year from 8am to 6pm.

The program is designed to engage students in the process of science and incorporates critical thinking, high-level questioning, and scientific techniques. Students investigate the impacts of survivorship and have close encounters with estuary residents. The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve provides an amazing world for students to discover within its 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forest, uplands, and protected waters.

The collaboration between Rookery Bay Research Reserve and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida enables more students to experience the estuary than ever before. The program allows for up to 60 students per visit and direct access to estuarine waters via our Good Fortune II pontoon boat. A visit to the Reserve empowers students to think critically about our region’s water concerns, the value of ecosystem services, and ways they can connect to our coastal resources.

Overall, the SURVIVORS field trip is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the coastal environment of Southwest Florida and engage with the process of science.

Once admitted, our veterinarian performed a full exam and discovered a soft tissue injury to the owl’s left wing. The owl is now recovering in one of our outdoor enclosures, where it can rest and heal in a more natural environment as it regains strength.

Fun Fact: Great horned owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees thanks to an extra neck vertebrae. This is an incredible adaptation that helps them stay alert to their surroundings.

Photos by Noa R., intern at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital

Beginning in the early 2000s, Gary made annual trips from Michigan to Naples, spending time on the water and exploring the Ten Thousand Islands. Those experiences deepened his appreciation for Florida’s coastal ecosystems and the need to protect them. During those visits, he became a supporter of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, returning often and sharing that connection with his family.

His daughter, Sharon Seevers, remembers those years as a time when nature brought their family together. Boat rides, visits to the Conservancy, and even family birthday celebrations on campus became part of that shared experience. Although her career initially took her to Manhattan, it was Sharon’s father who encouraged her to put down roots in Florida. In 2004, she did just that, opening what would become Goodness for Pets, an all-natural pet supply store centered on animal wellness and thoughtful care. That focus on animals and conservation carries forward her father’s values.

Gary’s commitment to conservation extended far beyond Florida. A graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, he began his career as a 4-H extension agent and later served as a professor. Throughout his life, he supported agriculture, natural resources conservation, and education through leadership roles and philanthropy, including establishing endowed scholarships and conservation-focused positions at Michigan State University. His support also included organizations dedicated to land conservation, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship nationwide.

Thank you to Goodness for Pets and the Seevers Family Foundation for making a $100,000 gift to the Conservancy to support conservation efforts in Southwest Florida. The donation reflects a long-held belief among Sharon’s family that protecting water, land, and wildlife is essential to the community’s health.

Gary Seevers’ love for fishing and nature left a lasting mark on the places he cherished. This gift honors that legacy, helping ensure that the waters he fished and the wildlife that depend on them remain protected for future generations.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has launched two new Nature-Based Solution resources. The first is an interactive tool that provides a high-level overview of nature-based solutions and their benefits, while showcasing examples of how they are being applied in locations across Florida, successfully addressing flooding, high-heat impacts, coastal erosion, and declining water quality.

The tool also serves as a portal to a library of fact sheets that profile each project in more depth.   Each fact sheet includes the challenge addressed, project cost, materials used, permitting considerations, performance outcomes, and lessons learned. These resources are intended to provide practical guidance to government officials, developers, HOAs, and others seeking effective, scalable solutions that help support long-term community resilience. 

Nature-based solutions rely on the power of nature to mitigate or solve problems, using elements like mangroves, salt marshes, oyster reefs, beach dunes, and native plantings to reduce flooding, erosion, and heat, for example. Hybrid solutions combine these natural features with traditional infrastructure, such as seawalls or culverts, when needed. Together, they provide flexible options that protect communities while also supporting healthy ecosystems. 

“Nature-based options for pressing issues like flooding can provide some significant protective advantages while also often being economical and providing a lot of additional benefits,” said Dr. Carrie Schuman, Conservancy Climate Resilience Advisor. “These new resources showcase practical examples that communities can evaluate, replicate, and learn from as they plan for a more resilient future.” 

The Conservancy developed the resources following its December 2024 symposium, Working with Nature: Nature-Based and Hybrid Solutions for Resilient Communities, which brought together experts from across the state. The Conservancy will continue adding new example projects over time, expanding understanding of the benefits nature-based and hybrid solutions can provide across Southwest Florida and beyond. 

The Eagle Award is selected annually through a rigorous review process led by former board chairs, with input from staff and leadership, and honors individuals who exemplify the grassroots strength and mission of the Conservancy. 

Jon Kukk, a current member of the Conservancy’s Board of Directors, is recognized for more than a decade of leadership through RedSnook and his broader contributions to the organization. A Naples-based architect, Kukk brought strategic insight and professional expertise to key campus expansion projects, including serving as a trusted owner’s representative with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience.  

Wayne Meland is honored for his extraordinary leadership and long-term impact on the RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Fishing Tournament. In addition to serving two full board terms, Meland chaired RedSnook for 15 years, acted as a key sponsor, and served as one of the primary strategists behind the tournament’s sustained success, raising nearly $2.5 million to date. His leadership was instrumental in expanding outreach within the angling community and establishing RedSnook as a conservation-focused event. 

Susan Snyder received the Eagle Award for more than 26 years of dedicated volunteer service. Previously honored with the Conservancy’s Volunteer Award in 2018, Snyder is recognized for her involvement in assisting the science department and managing protected habitats on campus, where she has identified 1,300 species, including never-before-identified insects. 

View the video highlighting the accomplishments and support of our Eagle Award winners here.

The Annual Member Meeting also included board leadership updates. The Conservancy recognized retiring board members Stefan Bothe, Barry Frank, and Nick Penniman for their years of service and leadership. New members elected include Ken Cole, Robin McClanathan, Ric Phillips, and Dave Tolmie to four-year terms on the Board of Directors, and renewing members Linda Grijalva and Roger Weston for an additional term, in accordance with the Conservancy’s governance and term-limit structure. 

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida 

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit environmental organization that has protected water, land and wildlife in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties for more than 60 years. Through environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation, the Conservancy safeguards Southwest Florida’s natural resources for future generations. 

Headquartered in Naples, Florida, the Conservancy is home to Collier County’s only native wildlife hospital and its vibrant Nature Center. Currently open to visitors, the Nature Center is undergoing a major transformation into a new, impactful community offering—the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, set to open in early 2028. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a gateway to conservation, offering immersive exhibits, hands-on learning and expanded programs to inspire environmental stewardship and enhance the region’s quality of life. 

Learn more and support Southwest Florida’s environmental future at conservancy.org. 

Media Inquiries 

Reneé Stoll, Conservancy of Southwest Florida Director of Communications and Marketing, (239) 430-2460, renees@conservancy.org 

It’s January 2026, which means sea turtle nest monitoring has been in the rear-view mirror for a while, and it’s time for the mangrove field season. I purposely scheduled our annual mangrove monitoring to take place in the winter so we wouldn’t roast or get eaten alive by the mosquitoes and no-see-ums. I get my fill of those elements during sea turtle season in the summer. However, I should not have planned our first day in the field for last Friday, January 16, 2026, when the temperature was in the low 40s, and that’s without factoring in the windchill.

We were working in the Clam Bay mangrove system, in a 6-meter radius plot, and the goal was to complete the tasks before we froze to death. Luckily, the plot was not a difficult one to reach and was an easy one to start the mangrove season. So, we first did a bird survey and, go figure, there were no birds, as they were not crazy enough to be out in this weather! After that pointless exercise where we were frozen in place, trying not to scare off the non-existent birds, it was time to determine the canopy cover. I got out my densiometer and proceeded to stop at 49 equidistant points set out in a radial pattern around the center. At each point, you look through a prism with a mirror that shows you a pair of crosshairs. If you can see the sky through the crosshairs, there is no cover, and if you can’t see the sky, there is cover at that point. We do this at those 49 points within the plot. Then it is just a simple percentage math problem to determine the percentage of times you could not see the sky through the densiometer (i.e., % canopy cover). I know this is old school (or rather the cheap alternative), but if it isn’t broke – don’t fix it!

Then it is time to locate all of our previously tagged mangrove trees and seedlings – an exercise we like to call hide and seek, because, believe it or not, sometimes these mangroves just disappear or are not where they are supposed to be. Each mangrove tree or seedling has its own unique number, so we can compare results from year to year. Basically, we give each mangrove in the plot a health physical: Measure its diameter at breast height (DBH), and measure its height if it is a tree or assess its condition if it is a seedling. By this point, my fingertips were so cold that they were hurting, and I had gloves on. Vanessa (pictured) is frozen to the chair! Not to mention it is difficult to bend over to read the seedling tags (toe tags) when you have so many clothes on that you look like the Michelin Man. We were grateful to Ian Bartoszek from the Burmese python team, who gave us some of those handy dandy packages that you shake up and they get warm.  Those saved my fingertips from falling off.  Finally, we began the last stage of the process, looking for new seedling recruits and giving them a “toe tag” with a unique number, documenting their vital statistics, and figuring out their distance and bearing from the center of the plot in hopes that it will help us locate them next year.

All in all, we were pleased with this plot as it was showing signs of recovering after Hurricane Milton that flattened most of the trees, with a few hardier trees. One of the trees is an old-growth black mangrove, a few centuries old, that takes two of us to measure its DBH! But, honestly, perhaps more important at the time, this plot didn’t have that many trees or seedlings within it, so we could get done quicker and get out of the cold and into the heated cab of our field truck!

Stay tuned for more field stories.