Lee County’s beloved Conservation 20/20 program—the one voters approved in 1996 and reaffirmed in 2016 with an impressive 84% majority—is facing a crisis.

The fund that buys and protects natural lands is running low. Right now, there’s only $19 million left, while $47.4 million worth of sensitive lands are waiting to be preserved. The law is clear: the Conservation 20/20 fund must stay between $40 million and $100 million, and when it falls below $40 million, the county is required to replenish it.

But here’s the shocking part: no money was added in this year’s proposed budget. Staff cite hurricane recovery needs, but the outcome is the same—without new funding, Conservation 20/20 can’t buy land.

And if the program stalls now, the county could miss the chance to protect key natural spaces at a time when land prices are easing. Once those properties are gone, they’re gone forever. This isn’t just about open space. It’s about clean water, flood protection, wildlife habitat, and preserving the natural character of Lee County that voters have twice insisted must be protected.

The clock is ticking: the Lee County Board of County Commissioners will vote on the budget on September 16, 2025. That vote will determine the future of Conservation 20/20.

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