Thanks to the generosity of conservationist Elizabeth Moore and her allies, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the 1,143-acre Carlton Triangle Ranch has been turned into a conservation easement and wildlife refuge. “After six generations of ownership, the Carlton family
years ago, for what she called “a lifestyle change.”
decided a few years ago to sell their ranch. Though tempt-
“We enrolled the kids in IMG tennis and Saint Ste-
ed by developers, they chose to work with Conservation
phens Episcopal School, which proved to be both a warm,
Foundation of the Gulf Coast to find a buyer who would
welcoming, nurturing environment that also provided a
agree to a conservation easement,” Moore said. “I had
rigorous academic curriculum for our kids.” Because of
been considering one more real estate purchase, and once
that experience, the Moore family decided to invest in the
I saw the ranch and envisioned the possibilities, I knew I
success of the school. Their family's significant financial
had to be the buyer, especially when I learned about the
support helped build the impressive Moore Athletic Com-
Forever Florida fund.”
plex and its brand new Marine Science Center.
It took a combined $5.55 million to buy the ranch: $3
Moore said she has always had a passion for conserva-
million from Moore, $2 million from the SWFWMD allo-
tion, beginning with memberships and support for Trust-
cation from the Forever Florida Fund, and $550,000 from
ees of Reservations and Essex County Greenbelt in Mas-
Conservation Foundation. Moore, now the owner of the
sachusetts. Some years ago the family purchased House
tract, said the transition from cattle ranch to wildlife ref-
Island, which was threatened by development, and then
uge would come in stages.
turned it over to the Audubon Society.
“Back in the 1930’s, in order to use that land for agri-
Alarmed by the rapid development east of I-75 over
cultural purposes, the Department of Agriculture allowed
the last nine years, Moore went with her friend and fellow
berms to be built to keep the flood water back and create
Saint Stephens board member and conservationist Mickey
pasture for cattle. With far fewer cattle, soon we will put
Davis to see Triangle Ranch. “Seeing this large tract of
in culverts to let the water flow again.”
pristine land with all the birds and dense forests, I knew
Bringing back the water is essential to protecting the
I could not stand back and let it cave in to another town-
Myakka wetlands, the Myakka River’s water quality, as well
house development and urban sprawl.” Moore added that
as the biodiversity and flood protection to the entire region.
the land purchase with the desirable conservation ease-
“Let the water flow and slowly percolate through the
ment would be her small effort to get ahead of the devel-
ground. Pure and clean water for all,” Moore said. “It will
opment she sees coming to a state whose population is
promote wetlands, which are habitat to many bird spe-
just over 20 million.
cies, as well as encourage forest growth for the Florida
“You have to think about the future, and I am grateful
panther, foxes, deer, skunks, raccoons, river otters, etc.
to the Carltons for allowing me to be the next steward of
Often humans forget that we must share this world with
this beautiful land for the benefit of nature and wildlife,”
other creatures.”
she said.
Moore added that she will invite fellow birders, star
“We have to act now and have common sense, vi-
gazers and naturalists to visit the ranch. “There is a lot to
sion-based planning in our communities. Florida’s popu-
experience out there. There is even an old cracker house,
lation is predicted to rise to over 30 million people over
probably built in the 1920s where Mr. Carlton was born!”
the next 50 years, maybe sooner. Triangle Ranch is part of
she ventured enthusiastically. Eventually, she plans to
the Tatum Sawgrass Marsh on the Myakka River - a huge
build a few small cottages using pecky cypress, which re-
watershed, which filters rainwater and cleans it as it slowly
call an Old Florida- style, but will employ modern systems
sinks into the soil and down river to the Charlotte Harbor.
such as solar power. “Maybe I will go into the eco-tourism
We need this land to be protected.”
business!” she humorously offered. Originally from Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, Moore and her family moved to Bradenton nine
If you would like to learn more about helping to conserve land, contact Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast at 941.918.2100 (conservationfoundation.com)
November 2016
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