Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is excited to team up with Outdoors by Owner (OBO) to connect more people to the great outdoors and protect more special places in the process. A not-for-profit land trust, Conservation Foundation has been saving land in Southwest Florida since 2003. To date, they have permanently protected over 19,200 acres across 56 properties in the five counties they serve. Notable recent conservation successes include the 8-acre Don Pedro Island State Park Addition in Charlotte County, 20 acres of Florida Panther habitat in Collier County, the 191-acre Crowley Museum & Nature Center in Sarasota County, the 432-acre Myakka Headwaters Preserve in Myakka City, the 228-acre addition to Old Myakka Preserve in Sarasota County and the centrally located almost 300-acre Bobby Jones Golf Club in the City of Sarasota.

If passed it will award competitively solicited contracts to American Facility Services, Inc., At Your Service Cleaning Group, Inc., and United States Service Industries, Inc. for custodial services in Lee County Central Zone, on an as-needed basis for an initial three-year period with an option to renew the contracts up to an additional three years. 

Ian has taken a terrible toll on the island and all the communities surrounding it, but together we are stronger, and it shows through the generous support BIPS has received from donors, members, granting agencies and our volunteers. Barrier Island Parks Society gives their deepest thanks to all the donors who gave to the Boca Grande Disaster Fund, as well as the Lee County Tourist Development Council, Florida Lighthouse Association, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Boca Grande Woman’s Club and its volunteers. It is your support to BIPS and your service to our community that helps give us strength.