Go-pher Green Inc dba (Bocilla Islands Conservancy)

Profile Expiration Date: March 15, 2025

Our Story

The startup of Bocilla Islands Conservancy was initially named Go-Pher Green with the idea to protect gopher tortoise habitat in a Don Pedro Island neighborhood. Realizing that this was merely a portion of the bigger picture to protect our unique environment, we decided to expand our purpose and focus. We changed our name to Bocilla Islands Conservancy Inc. (the Conservancy) with a mission to preserve green space on the Bocilla Islands Chain of barrier islands consisting of Palm Island, Don Pedro Island, Knight Island, Little Gasparilla Island and Thornton Key.

We continue with our efforts for the preservation of green space. We have also expanded to include environmental education and preservation of our island animals and plants and were joined by past and present island environmental groups, supporters and members. In 2022, we entered into a critical collaborative partnership with the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) for the maintenance of their properties on our barrier islands.

We have all joined together for the preservation of green space on the Bocilla Islands Chain. Our goals are to acquire properties for the preservation of natural ecosystems, to promote environmental education, to develop future stewardship of our biodiverse island environment and to spread this nature ethic to an ever widening audience. We continue to enhance and develop our two public parks, our Eco-Educational and Island Conservancy Park and our Artificial Reef and Marine Life Park. 

We also desire to involve other groups that are on the mainland. We have overwhelming support, both on and off the island, as evidenced by our successful fundraisers, membership, number of sponsors and contributors. To date, we have acquired eleven conservation properties. The most recent acquisition was in the fall of 2023. We had to cancel several major fundraisers in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to COVID 19 and Hurricane Ian. We continue to be successful with the Giving Challenge, an increase in donations, and were awarded a Charlotte County grant and a grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota.  In 2023 and early 2024, we had three successful fundraisers.  In addition, we have begun an educational program and seminars have been held on shorebirds, native Florida Plants, and mangroves.  Another program on sea turtles is planned for April 2024. In the fall of 2023, we sponsored a successful island wide cleanup to help remove some remaining debris from the hurricane.  More fundraisers and educational seminars are being planned for the remainder of 2024.

Contact

Go-pher Green Inc dba (Bocilla Islands Conservancy)

1 Pointe Bocilla Way
PLACIDA, FL 33946

Phone: 941-698-9211
https://www.bocillaislandsconservancy.org

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