Deep Lagoon Preserve

Deep Lagoon Preserve contains 3 different geographic areas spread along a 3- mile corridor in west-central Lee County (Figures 1 & 2) in Sections 20, 29 and 32, Township 45 South, Range 24 East and Section 5, Township 46 South, Range 24 East. Even though these three areas are not contiguous they are managed as one preserve since they are part of the same historic slough system and help create a green wildlife corridor from the Caloosahatchee River to Estero Bay.

McGregor Boulevard bisects the northernmost portion, known as site 116. To the north of McGregor, the Preserve is surrounded by water, consisting of a canal to the west, the Caloosahatchee River to the north and Deep Lagoon to the east. To the south of McGregor, the Preserve has residential housing to the west, a canal on the south border and undeveloped woods to the east, although this property, known as the Lucaya development, is currently in the permitting process for development. The middle geographic area, known as sites 77 and 78, are bordered by A & W Bulb Road and Gladiolus Road to the east and south, respectively. The north boundary of this portion of DLP consists of residential housing and the Temple Judea. The west boundary is the currently undeveloped Lucaya property.

The final portion of DLP, referred to as the Cow Slough section, is approximately .6 miles south of the middle section. Its southern boundary consists of Summerlin Road, Health Park lies to the east, and undeveloped woods currently surround the rest. The IDD Canal C bisects the Preserve from north to south.

The Preserve has undergone tremendous alterations from human related activities. Approximately 3% of the DLP consists of ditches created for mosquito control and as part of the Iona Drainage District. Nine percent (9%) is currently pasture that previously was used for growing gladiolus flowers. Almost 20% of the Preserve, scattered throughout all three sections, consists of invasive exotic plant monocultures, primarily Australian pines (Casuarina equisetifolia), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) and melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia). Natural plant communities found at DLP include tidal swamps, tidal marshes, coastal grasslands, wet prairies, prairie hammocks and mesic flatwoods.

In January of 2006, $131,250 was granted from the Florida Deparment of Agriculture through the Emergency Hurricane Supplemental Urban and Community Forestry grant program.  With matching funds from the Conservation 20/20 management funds, the project was started in June 2006.  The project is focusing on the removal of Australian pine and melaleuca, along with other invasive exotic plants found in the project area.  There are three phases of the project which include the following methods: excavator, hand felling and herbicide treatments.  This site is an extremely tricky one because equipment had to be barged to the northern portions of the Preserve along the river.  Projected time of completion for all phases is May 2007 with re-treatments at 6 months, 1 year and then as necessary.  Look for the work as you drive down McGregor Blvd. on the north side just south of Deep Lagoon Marina.  Staff has been excited to see dozens of birds already taking advantage of the newly open areas that were once choked with exotics.

Wildlife Sightings

Documented Plants

Land Stewardship Plan

Preserve Map

Photos:

©2007 Lee County Conservation 20/20Website
County Government Information: (239) 332-2737
www.leeparks.org/2020