Erica Fish, Marketing Communications Specialist
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When Barron Collier Companies (BCC) embarked on the master-planned community development of Ave Maria, the team knew that it would be a historic undertaking. Ave Maria would be the first community developed under the landmark Rural Land Stewardship (or RSLA), a program designed to guide developers in creating new projects that protect the natural environment, stimulate economic growth, and promote agriculture assets. Since the RLSA’s implementation, more than 50,000 acres of Florida habitat has been preserved including more than 17,000 by Barron Collier Companies during the creating of Ave Maria.
“During the beginning stages of development of Ave Maria, we prioritized having pristine wetland areas, preservation areas, as well as agricultural land and easements for future use,” shared David Genson, President of Development for BCC.
Collier Environmental Services (CES); a division of Barron Collier Companies, plays an important role in maintaining, restoring and preserving natural landscapes for Ave Maria and several other Southwest Florida communities. Their knowledge of various habitats in Florida and best practices for environmental stewardship have led them to become a leader in environmental services in Collier County and other parts of Florida for many clients.
“In Ave Maria, we continually monitor the lands and clear the ground of invasive plants,” Genson said. Known as exotics, these plants are not native to the region and require teams to eradicate these invasive species and replant vegetation more appropriate for the Florida ecosystem. “Our crews are always out walking the grounds looking for non-native plants.”
Why is the constant monitoring necessary? Florida has its own unique hurdles. Though the state is known for its sunny weather, sometimes that weather proves challenging for sustaining natural spaces. “Florida has special problems we have to deal with,” Genson said. “Hurricanes and winds impact the preserves. The wind blows seeds that do not belong here surprisingly far distances.”
The repair methods often require taking the spaces down to bare ground. But the results of this attention are visible in Ave Maria’s natural resources and thriving wildlife. Whether it is the wetlands of Camp Keais Strand or the scenery of nearby Corkscrew Swamp, the environmental mission conceived at Ave Maria’s founding is evident.
