The Conservancy is pleased to share that the Collier County Board of Commissioners approved funding for Conservation Collier for the 2025-26 fiscal year during the budget hearing on September 18, 2025. We want to especially thank Chairman Saunders, Commissioner LoCastro, and Commissioner McDaniel for their vote in support of Conservation Collier.
The Conservancy has participated in all three Conservation Collier referenda – 2002, 2006, and 2020. They were all approved with strong voter support, as many willingly agreed to be taxed at 0.25 mils to fund Conservation Collier. This success didn’t happen by chance. The conservation and business communities worked tirelessly to be transparent about what the tax was, what it was used for, and what Conservation Collier has achieved since 2002.
Collier Conservation plays a crucial role in preserving natural, undeveloped lands, which are among the lowest-cost, most effective, and hardest-working infrastructure we have. Natural lands like wetlands help store floodwater during tropical storms and heavy rains, helping to reduce flooding of our roads, homes, and businesses. They’re also essential habitats to our threatened and endangered species, such as the Florida Panther.
We thank the Board of County Commissioners for recognizing the value of our natural lands, which truly serve as the economic engine of our community and contribute to what makes Collier County so special.
While Conservation Collier was not approved for the full millage rate in the 2025-26 fiscal year budget (it was approved for 0.2096 mils), we look forward to working together toward achieving full voter-approved funding in the future.
