FORT MYERS – The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize staff to pursue the purchase of about 100 acres in southeastern Lee County for the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition program.

The land is a former orange grove adjacent to the northern boundary of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

The Conservation 20/20 Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) voted unanimously to support this nomination. Any negotiated purchase agreement will be returned to the Board for consideration.

The National Audubon Society, which operates the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, has been supportive of the acquisition of the adjacent land. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary occupies more than 13,000 acres and provides habitat for the Florida panther, white-tail deer, otters, wading birds and birds such as painted buntings and the Florida sandhill crane.

Lee County’s Conservation 20/20 program includes more than 31,500 acres and 52 preserves.