The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has been designated by the State of Florida to manage 780 newly conserved acres in East Naples. This expansion adds to the reserve’s existing 110,000 acres of protected land.
The new property lies between Bayshore Drive, the Isles of Collier Preserve, and lands already managed by Rookery Bay. It includes mangroves, saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, pine flatwoods, and scrub habitats. These lands will help protect nearby communities from storm surge and flooding while providing space for wildlife. The Rookery Bay Stewardship team will oversee the area to ensure its long-term conservation…