Totaling nearly 945 acres, this large preserve consists of 10 land parcels acquired between 2000 and 2021. The preserve consists of nine native plant communities, including mesic pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, tidal swamp, hydric hammock and coastal grassland.

The most recent acquisition to this preserve is land on the eastern side of the island that extends through a mangrove forest to Matlacha Pass. Known as Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve - Bayside, a Mini Stewardship Plan was written to allow for restoration activities to occur on this land.

• Email Conservation2020@leeparks.org for a copy of the Mini Stewardship Plan.
  

Prescribed burning is used at this preserve to minimize the risk of wildfire due to heavy fuel loads caused by dense vegetation. This activity also helps to improve habitat critical for the gopher tortoise, a state-listed threatened species.

This preserve includes a 1.5-mile marked hiking trail, as well as more than 6 miles of unmarked fire lines that may be hiked.

Restoration Update:
The Bayside portion of Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve, located on the east side of Stringfellow Road, is reopened to public access following the heavy equipment phase of a wetland restoration project. Efforts continue onsite to restore nearly 70 acres of pasture previously used for cattle-grazing, including the removal of non-native plant species and the introduction of key native plant species to benefit wildlife. For any questions regarding these restoration activities, contact Tyler Marzella, Conservation 20/20 Land Stewardship Coordinator, at (239) 220-7243.

Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve Trail Map