Cypress Cove Landkeepers, Inc.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to conserve critical habitat for threatened and endangered species and to utilize these wild spaces for environmental education and nature-inspired experiences.

Organizational Overview

Cypress Cove Landkeeprs, Inc. (CCL) is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Naples, Florida. Our mission is to conserve critical habitat for threatened and endangered species and to utilize these wild spaces for environmental education and nature-inspired experiences. The organization owns and manages a 10-acre preserve in Golden Gate Estates, called the Gore Nature Education Center (GNEC). Monthly programs and activities at the GNEC include trail tours, nature awareness days, photography classes, butterfly counts and pollinator gardening for all age groups. The organization is presently seeking funds to hire an Executive Director to manage volunteers, expand program offerings and supervise site management. Conversations with South Florida educators, scouting organizations, homeschoolers, and parents confirm our belief that local groups are seeking additional opportunities to connect children with the natural world for both their physical and mental health. The need is equally important for many of South Florida’s veterans, health care workers and first responders. Our slate of programs – based on Senses in Nature, Habitat Awareness, Gardening, Reading & Writing in Nature and Stewardship—is designed to foster curiosity, creativity, empathy, and teamwork. The GNEC is the fulfillment of one man’s dream to protect the beauty of Old Florida and inspire children to appreciate the natural world. Zoologist and conservationist Dr. Robert H. Gore III discovered this hammock that would become his home on one of his trips into the field for his job with Collier County. He spent 20 years purchasing land, acre by acre, to save this old-growth subtropical forest that includes one of the oldest cypress trees in Florida. Located in a density reduction groundwater recharge area, it recharges surficial aquifers. Dr. Gore accurately predicted this preserve would one day sit as an island in the midst of development. Visitors regularly comment that they feel they have “stepped back in time” upon entering the preserve and marvel at the uniqueness of exploring an unmanicured trail. Due to Dr. Gore’s health issues and subsequent death, CCL was created in 2015 to honor Dr. Gore’s legacy and save the sanctuary from development. In 2019, CCL acquired the central 10 acres of Dr. Gore’s preserve, including his Cracker-style home, which now serves as the group’s education center. CCL was instrumental in Conservation Collier’s decision to purchase the additional surrounding 170 acres that Dr. Gore had acquired, now named the Dr. Robert H. Gore III Preserve. This collaboration ensures 180 acres are protected for generations to come. Every effort is being made to retain the “wild” aspects of this property while ensuring accessibility and safety. Expanded parking and wheelchair accessible boardwalks now welcome guests. The education building has been restored with a new roof and hurricane-proof windows, an updated demonstration kitchen and new bathrooms. In July of 2020, we officially changed our name from Cypress Cove Conservancy, Inc. (CCC) to CCL to address donor concerns that our name has been confused with other conservancies in the area. The name change to “Landkeepers” clarifies our mission of conserving critical land from those whose mission is rescuing animals. Future CCL plans include the acquisition of additional properties identified as significant for the preservation of habitat and native species.