DEDICATED TO PROMOTING GREEN SPACES AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

on the

BOCILLA ISLAND CHAIN

Preserving Paradise

WHAT ARE WE?

Bocilla Islands Conservancy Inc. is a public, non-profit, non-political organization working in partnership with residents of the Bocilla Islands Chain: Don Pedro Island, Knight Island, Little Gasparilla Island and Thornton Key.

Our organization is dedicated to the long-term preservation of open, undeveloped space and natural habitat environmental education on the Bocilla Islands Chain.

Bocilla Islands Conservancy Inc. has the ability to customize how a property becomes a conservation easement.

Through the acquisition of land and conservation easements, sensitive habitat will be preserved and protected, helping to keep the island's ecosystem in balance.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Preservation of the uniqueness and beauty in which you invested

Enhancement of lifestyle

Added green space

Preservation of peace and privacy

Increased property values

Reduction of property taxes

Impact on county ratings that reduce flood insurance premiums

Tax deductible donations of land, easements, and money

Click here to donate

Or scan the
QR CODE BELOW

Have you ever wondered about the wildlife you might see on our islands?
Thank you to Buzz Mallett for capturing these images of a coyote and a bobcat on our Conservancy property at 26 Palm Drive.

Announcement

Gopher Tortoise Forage Garden Certification

HAVE FUN! BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND SUPPORT OF OUR CRITTER FRIENDS!!!

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission recently instituted a

Gopher Tortoise Friendly Recognition Program. There are a few yards on the island that have already been registered and recognized. We are waiting for the official FWC recognition signs to arrive to place in those yards. We’d like to get as many of our island properties recognized as possible. Please consider becoming one of those recognized properties.

Go to this website:
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/yard-recognition/

Once you are on the site, there is an embedded link in blue that asks you to apply for recognition. Click on the link and complete the form to register your yard for the FWC Gopher Tortoise Yard Recognition Program. It will take you less than 10 minutes …honest!

You will need to designate three tortoise friendly forage plants in your yard, from a drop-down menu of plants. Simply click on the plants you have. For your own reference, included below is a list of the plants you likely have. If you need help identifying any of them, call Kjell Plotkin at (941) 456-5252. The site also asks what invasive plants you have removed. Those invasive plants are also listed on the bottom of the attachment.

Click here for list of gopher tortoise friendly plants and invasive plants.

BECOME A SUPER CITIZEN!! APPLY TODAY!!

Currently there are 17 registered Gopher Tortoise Friendly Yards on the islands.

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