Keep 6 Gopher Tortoises In Their Homes

HELP permanently protect 6 Gopher Tortoises and their burrows that provide homes for other wildlife, along with a beautiful collection of native plants and trees, on this ¼ acre parcel in the Cranberry Fields Neighborhood of North Port by contributing to this $14,000 GoFundMe hosted by The Environmental Conservancy of North Port And Surrounding Areas!

WHO: We are a 501c3 non-profit entity focused on acquiring and permanently conserving undeveloped natural land parcels in neighborhoods of North Port and its Surrounding Areas (Sarasota and Charlotte Counties) to provide greenspace for wildlife/native plants/native trees [aka nature] to continue thriving upon as it has for decades while our population continues to grow at a rapid pace.

WHAT: Lot 35, Alfred Road (Cranberry Fields Neighborhood) of North Port (Sarasota County).

HOW: RAISE $14,000 by November 16, 2023 to reach the purchase price goal. The purchase price is $19,000; we are able to contribute $5,000 toward the purchase using funds raised in prior Sarasota County fundraisers.

Donations can be made via this GoFundMe, or via Venmo: Environmental Conservancy NP- @NPconservancy (if using Venmo please note "North Port" on your donation).

Checks are also accepted, please make checks payable to The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc. and mail to 3465 Alfred Road, North Port, FL 34286.

Donations can also be made via PayPal on our website www.ecnorthport.com (please note that your donation is for North Port).

North Port hosts a population of the Gopher Tortoise, a Florida threatened species. This parcel has 6 confirmed active burrows upon it; at least 2 more were noted as in-active at this time. Gopher tortoises are long-lived reptiles that dig deep burrows for shelter and forage on low-growing plants. They can share their burrows with more than 350 other species, and are therefore referred to as a keystone species. Under State law Gopher Tortoises must be relocated before any land clearing or development takes place, and property owners must obtain permits from the FWC before capturing and relocating tortoises. In the majority of cases, the tortoises are taken to other land parcels miles away known as “relocation sites”. Tortoises have a natural “homing device” and will attempt to escape the relocation site for extended periods of time. Some will become depressed; many will eventually fail to thrive.

On average currently, the cost of removing 1 tortoise from a neighborhood land parcel is $7,200.

Further, upon completion of a residence, few to no local native plants that once grew on the lot are replanted, and even if a local native tree is replanted (live oak, slash pine, sabal palm, scrub oak) it is common that those trees will not survive and grow to maturity. Replanting native trees/plants is something we always recommend, but replanting can never take place of conservation of an untouched natural environment.

Conserving natural land in our neighborhoods allows for the preservation/protection of, education about, and co-existence with, our local native flora and fauna and tree canopy.

Conservation of natural land amidst residential 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.

In conclusion, we believe greenspace in our neighborhoods benefits nature and humans alike!

QUESTIONS? Contact us at [phone redacted] or [email redacted] or visit our website at www.ecnorthport.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/ecnorthport or Instagram www.instagram.com/npconservancy

Tax ID Number 84-4132468

Removal of excessive native grapevine is needed.