Lee County stands at a defining moment that will shape both our community’s identity
and Florida’s environmental legacy. For Democrats, protecting the environment isn’t an
abstract ideal; it’s a moral and practical necessity that connects the health of our local
ecosystems to the wellbeing of families and future generations. As Florida’s
development surges forward, the question is no longer whether growth will happen, but
what kind of growth will we choose?
Nowhere is this choice clearer than in the controversial Kingston and Rural Lands West
developments (see below), sprawling projects proposed east of Naples and north of the
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. These projects would pave over thousands of acres of
wildlife habitat, the last remaining corridors vital to the survival of the Florida panther,
one of the most endangered mammals in the United States. With fewer than 200 left in
the wild, every acre of protected land matters. Once fragmented, these habitats can
never be restored.
But this is more than a local zoning dispute. The Florida panther’s struggle mirrors a
national crisis where habitat destruction and climate instability collide. Wetlands that
absorb storm surges are filled for subdivisions. Forests that cool our planet are cleared
for roads. The pattern is familiar, and the consequences ripple far beyond county lines.
Protecting the panther means protecting water quality, flood resilience, and the
biodiversity that keeps our natural systems balanced.
Lee County residents already feel the pressure. Roads are congested, schools are
crowded, and infrastructure is stretched to its limit. Yet large-scale developments keep
advancing with limited public input. Residents are too often left out of the decisions that
will affect their safety, their taxes, and their environment for decades to come.
This is a moment for action and for leadership that recognizes the interconnectedness
of our local and national future. Democrats across Florida are calling for smarter growth,
genuine public participation, and stronger protections for endangered species. Lee
County’s choices today will echo nationwide: Will we preserve our shared natural
heritage, or pave it away? The crossroads is here. It’s time to choose the path of
stewardship.
About the Projects:
The Kingston Project is an approved, multi-year, master-planned community in
unincorporated Lee County, near Corkscrew Road and SR 82, that aims to build 10,000
homes, along with commercial spaces, hotels, and a school. A portion of the 6,702-acre
development will be dedicated to environmental restoration. The Rural Lands
West development, a different 4,400-acre project by Collier Enterprises in eastern
Collier County, is a separate, proposed new town within the Rural Lands Stewardship
Area (RLSA).
What You Can Do
This fight isn’t over and your voice matters.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from environmental groups like the Conservancy
of Southwest Florida and the Florida Wildlife Federation.
• Speak up: Attend Lee County Commission and Planning Board meetings; ask
direct questions about how developments like Kingston and Rural Lands West
will affect wildlife and infrastructure.
• Submit comments: Public input can influence state and federal reviews of these
projects, especially those involving endangered species and wetlands.
• Vote for candidates who value sustainability: Support Democratic leaders
who prioritize balanced growth, clean water, and climate resilience.
• Spread the word: Share accurate information with friends, neighbors, and
community groups — awareness is the first step toward accountability.