Conservation Collier

Work and camp at the beautiful Pepper Ranch Preserve north of Lake Trafford in Southwest Florida! 🌼 This 2,655-acre preserve is a working cattle ranch and has miles of hiking, horseback riding & mountain biking trails to explore. A true nature lover paradise!

We are seeking camp host(s) to work from October 25, 2026 -April 2027 with option to stay through May. This position will oversee a 10-site tent-only campground and a group campsite. Campers are allowed Friday-Saturday nights. RV space provided with full hook-up; in return the host would assist with cleaning a small bathroom facility, working in visitor center, cleaning fire pits and picnic tables, and maintaining a short hiking trail near the campground. Couples would be required to work 30 hours per week, 20 hours for single.

🌿 How to apply: Please send your resume(s) and a picture of your RV to [email protected]
If selected, a background check & fingerprinting will be required at no charge.

Meet the Lubber Grasshopper! 🦗 These native grasshoppers are often mistaken as an invasive species, but they’re a natural part of Florida’s ecosystems and an important part of the food web. They are a food source for birds, raccoons, opossums, and other wildlife 🐦‍⬛🦝🐸

Lubbers go through quite the transformation as they grow. Young lubbers (called nymphs) start out small, black and often stay together in large groups. As they mature, they develop their bright orange, yellow and black coloration, warning predators they taste unpleasant. Adult lubbers have wings, but they are mostly used for display and communication. It is most common to see Lubbers from Spring into Summer. Love them or not, they are an important native species!🦗🌼

UPDATE: All work has been completed. The entire Gordon River Greenway park is open.

⚠️Gordon River Greenway Partial Trail Closure ⚠️

The Conservation Collier portion of the Gordon River Greenway will be partially closed on June 3 and June 4 from 8:00am to 4:30pm each day. If work is completed ahead of schedule, the closed portion will reopen earlier each day. Access from North Road and access south of the pavilion marked on the map will not be permitted during the closure period (see map).

The preserve will be temporarily closed while hazardous dead trees located near the walking path are removed.
This precaution is being taken to ensure visitor safety during the tree removal work and to prevent potential injuries from falling limbs or trees. The preserve will reopen once the work is completed and the area is safe for public access.

🌿Collier County: Provide your input on a New Nature Center! 🌿

Collier County Government recently acquired a nature center through the Conservation Collier Program, and we want YOUR input!

The goal is to create a space that balances preserving the local environment with making nature accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a hiker, a birdwatcher, a parent, or just someone who loves the great outdoors, your voice matters. Take a few minutes to share your vision and tell us what you’d love to see.

🗓️ Deadline: June 30 📊
Access the survey through the link here: www.collier.gov/GoreSurvey

Visit Pepper Ranch Preserve 🐮🐊🪶 There’s just one weekend left before the season ends! With over 12 miles of trails, plus camping, picnic areas, and a visitor center, it’s a great place to spend the day. Enjoy the birds, scenic views, and spring wildflowers along the trails!

Pepper Ranch Preserve is open this weekend (Friday-Sunday) from 7:30 am to 4 pm After this weekend, the preserve will close for the season and reopen in November.

UPDATE: All work has been completed. The entire Gordon River Greenway park is open.

⚠️ Gordon River Greenway Partial Trail Closure: June 3 & 4 ⚠️
The Conservation Collier portion of the Gordon River Greenway will be partially closed on June 3 and June 4 from 8:00am to 4:30pm each day. If work is completed ahead of schedule, the closed portion will reopen earlier each day. Access from North Road and access south of the pavilion marked on the map will not be permitted during the closure period (see map).

The preserve will be temporarily closed while hazardous dead trees located near the walking path are removed. This precaution is being taken to ensure visitor safety during the tree removal work and to prevent potential injuries from falling limbs or trees.

The preserve will reopen once the work is completed and the area is safe for public access. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

Get out and spend time at your Conservation Collier preserves🌿 Walk the trails, observe wildlife, or admire what’s currently in bloom! Each preserve offers something a little different 🐸🦆🌸

Use this link to find a public preserve to explore:https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/d2b6d78bb9204c1185bb1f21abf122ae

Thanks to the Friends of Six Mile Cypress for joining us at Pepper Ranch Preserve for a guided hike! We explored the Tuscawilla Trail, admired the spring wildflowers, and watched Swallow-tailed Kites soaring and hunting above the treeline🪶Always great spending time on the trails with others who love and appreciate our natural areas as much as we do! 🥾🌼

What’s that purple flower filling the marshes at your Conservation Collier preserves? It’s Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)! 🪻These native wetland plants bloom from summer into fall, brightening up freshwater marshes across Southwest Florida.

The purple flower spikes attract native bees (like carpenter bees and small solitary bees), butterflies, and other pollinators. As the blooms fade, they produce seeds eaten by Mottled ducks and other marsh birds. Even White-tailed deer will browse on its roots, leaves, and stems. Pickerelweed is also working below the surface - its roots help hold soils in place, while its stems create structure in the water where fish, aquatic insects, and amphibians can find cover, feed, and grow. 🪲🪱💧