Public Invited  Free

in-person and via zoom.  a zoom link will be emailed two before the event and the day of the event.

9:00am Registration

9:30am Program Starts

As Southwest Florida faces unprecedented growth, the region’s delicate ecological and agricultural balance is at a breaking point. This forum addresses the "sacrifice of wildlife" caused by habitat loss and the rapid erasure of Florida’s agricultural heritage, as historic cattle ranches and citrus groves are replaced by sprawling residential developments.

 “Southwest Florida is confronting the pressure of rapid and massive growth,” said a spokesperson for LWVLee. “The LWVLee forum will examine how this sprawl jeopardizes species recovery for iconic wildlife like the Florida panther and manatee, while threatening the very survival of farm families who rely on low-density land to protect water supply and recharge our aquifers.”

 The event brings together leading voices from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Bear Warriors United, and Defending Rural Florida to call for a united effort to champion Florida’s rural and conservation lands.

Featured Expert Speakers:

• Amber Crooks: Senior Environmental Policy Advisor, Conservancy of Southwest Florida (Wildlife and Water Policy Specialist).
• Katrina Shadix: Executive Director, Bear Warriors United (Wildlife Advocacy).
• John Hallman: Seventh-generation Florida cattle rancher and legislative liaison for Defending Rural Florida.