In 2019, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge acquired the Wulfert Bayous property as part of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. The 68-acre parcel later was renamed the Lee Anne Tauck Conservation Tract with plans to restore the habitat for birds, alligators, gopher tortoises and other native species. Lee County Conservation 20/20 partnered with the refuge and DDWS for the purchase with the understanding “Ding” Darling would restore and maintain it.

The refuge recently announced that work will begin on the project this month. The goals of the project are to enhance existing mangrove communities and restore the functional quality of wetlands, create a nesting island for wading birds, create one or more alligator basking areas within proximity of the nesting island to prevent predation, identify opportunities for beneficial use of dredged material and to reduce waste and address sea level rise impacts.

Contractors began their surveying and geotechnical borings the week of Nov. 18.