The Collier County Commission has approved purchase of the 2,511-acre Pepper Ranch on the shores of Lake Trafford in Immokalee as part of Conservation Collier.  When I first moved permanently to the area in 2001, I took a tour of the ranch with Gene Hearn, one of the long-time family owners.  We saw Osceola turkey, wild boar, deer and more birds than I could count.  At that time he had a dream of creating an eco tour on the property, which is an amazing example of old Florida wilderness prior to the development days, but there were too many obstacles in the way at...[Read More]


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What’s dark brown, cat-like and has a cameo appearance in the DreamWorks animated film “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa?” You’re right — the fosa, formerly spelled fossa, which is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar. Less than 40 of these rare creatures are found in the U.S., with only two residing in the southeastern U.S. at the newest exhibit in the Naples Zoo. The Naples Zoo welcomes visitors to view the two predators at its newest exhibit: The Fosa: Madagascar’s Legendary...[Read More]


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Marriott Golf has named The Rookery at Marco course as the "Marriott Golf Property of the Year."  The award is based on  performance excellence in categories including golf sales, round improvements, program development, personnel development, leadership and more.  The course is located within the Fiddler's Creek development in Naples just before you cross the bridge onto Marco Island.  The course utilizes lots of native Florida plant species in its landscaping, making it one of my favorites for its scenery and bird life.  I've seen the resident bald eagle and once while I was the cart driver for a golf writer evaluating...[Read More]


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Every year about this time the bird population in Southwest Florida swells with species who make their winter homes and nests here in paradise.  Recently I've spotted quite a few wood storks foraging in canals and ponds alongside the Tamiami Trail, I-75 and Pine Ridge Road.  Let's hope this year that conditions are right to ensure a successful nesting season at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.  I saw in the Cedar Bay Yacht Club newsletter that Sandhill Cranes have arrived for their winter sojourn on Marco Island.  Keep an eye out for northern songbirds and many other species ...[Read More]


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Congratulations to the crew from the Dolphin Explorer, the wonderful cruise that allows passengers to serve as Citizen Scientists, assisting dolphin researchers with the ongoing 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project.  Capt. Chris Desmond was a featured speaker at this week's prestigious North American Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008, telling other eco and sustainable tourism operators and destinations how to create and foster meaningful yet enjoyable ecotourism programs.  Currently the Dolphin Explorer runs cruises out of Marco Island, but in just a few weeks it will also begin offering trips out of the Port o Call marina in Naples, as they expand their area...[Read More]


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