Announcing the Little Pine Island Celebration The 15 th Anniversary of the Restoration of Little Pine Island Saturday, April 28 th, :00 AM to 4:00 PM (At Little Pine Island – Entrance 1 mile west of Matlacha on Pine Island Road (SR 78)
Little Pine Island is a 4700 acre State owned island within the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary and the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. The restoration of Little Pine Island is a joint project between the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Mariner Properties Development, Inc. Since the restoration of Little Pine Island began in 1997:
More than 5 million melaleuca trees and 100 million pounds of exotic vegetation have been removed from Little Pine Island’s fresh and saltwater wetlands. To help restore the natural fresh and saltwater habitat, 7 miles of drainage ditches have been filled to rehydrate the island. Nesting bald eagles, ospreys, woodstorks, otters, bobcats and many other species have returned to Little Pine Island.
1997 – Before Restoration
1998 – Melaleuca Removed
2009 – Fully Restored Wetland
2001- Before Restoration
2004 – Melaleuca Removed
2009 – Fully Restored Wetland
The Little Pine Island Celebration Free Admission Raffle for 2 Kayaks Guided Tours Wildlife Photography Class BBQ Join Us for: Please call Dick Anderson at for more information or to register for the Wildlife Photography Class This event benefits the Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and the Calusa Land Trust