Nonprofit complete purchase of four lots for Florida scrub-jay habitat in Charlotte County

Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
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This Florida scrub-jay was photographed by James Rogers in North Port. The Environmental Conservancy of North Port closed on the purchase of four lots in the Harbor Heights neighborhood in Charlotte County that will be preserved as habitat for native species.
This Florida scrub-jay was photographed by James Rogers in North Port. The Environmental Conservancy of North Port closed on the purchase of four lots in the Harbor Heights neighborhood in Charlotte County that will be preserved as habitat for native species.

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port was successful in raising funds to buy four lots in the Harbour Heights area of Charlotte County for preservation as habitat for the Florida scrub-jay.

The nonprofit closed on the $17,050 purchase on Dec. 29, covering the cost of buying Lots 17 and 18 in Middle Terrace for $8,775 and Lots 20 and 2 off Dumont Drive for $8,275.

All the funds were raised through private donations, including one $10,000 donation and a $3,000 donation from Sarasota County residents; $1,000 donations from residents from Matlacha in Lee County and Deep Creek, as well as $500 donations from people in Sarasota County and Port Charlotte, as well as several smaller donations..

Barbara Lockhart, president of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said via text message that the purchase was made possible by people willing to donate outside of the immediate areas where they live.

How many lots have been conserved?

Combined, the nonprofit ― which buys and preserves land in both Sarasota and Charlotte counties ― has purchased or received donations of 37 parcels for wildlife habitat.

Seventeen of the protected parcels are in North Port, 11 in Charlotte County's Harbour Heights neighborhood, six in El Jobean, two in Deep Creek and one in Port Charlotte.

The nonprofit, which changed its Facebook page to The Environmental Conservancy of North Port and Surrounding Areas to reflect that expansion, started in the spring of 2020 in North Port.

Why buy smaller lots?

The conservancy buys these quarter-acre lots to provide “stepping stone” habitat for scrub-jays, as well as homes for gopher tortoises.

The conservancy also sets aside money to buy trail cameras and maintain the protected greenspaces, though the bulk of the work is handled through volunteer work days.

What is the Environmental Conservancy of North Port?

The conservancy is a nonprofit with an all-volunteer board. Its Tax ID Number is 84-4132468.

In addition to making appeals for donations, the nonprofit has been expanding into hosting a variety of fundraisers.

The next major fundraiser is the second annual Race to Conserve – a 5K timed run, as well as 1K and 5Ki walks set for 8 a.m., Feb. 17 at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, 6968 Reisterstown Road, North Port. The timed run will go through four trails at the park.

The next volunteer workday is Jan. 6.

A small guided visit to one of the North Port conservation areas is scheduled for Jan. 7. Registration is required, with a 10-person limit. For information call 941-218-9775, email NPconservancy@gmail.com, visit  www.ecnorthport.com, or www.instagram.com/npconservancy.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Environmental nonprofit buys 4 Charlotte lots for scrub-jay habitat