SCCF's Environmental Policy team discusses the recent developments with Conservation 20/20 — Lee County’s environmentally sensitive land acquisition and management program that voters enacted through a 1996 referendum.

In September, the Board of County Commissioners decided not to add funding to it in its 2025-26 budget despite a significant shortfall of the fund's required $40 million minimum balance.

To date, more than 30,000 acres of conservation land have been protected through the program. Learn why it's critical that the program continues to be funded to meet its ordinance-required mandate and to protect the county's water quality, wetlands, water supply, and vital wildlife habitat.