1. Announcing the Little Pine Island Celebration The 15 th Anniversary of the Restoration of Little Pine Island Saturday, April 28 th, 2012 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (At Little Pine Island – Entrance 1 mile west of Matlacha on Pine Island Road (SR 78)

2. 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:

3.  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.

4. 1997 – Before Restoration

5. 1998 – Melaleuca Removed

6. 2009 – Fully Restored Wetland

7. 2001- Before Restoration

8. 2004 – Melaleuca Removed

9. 2009 – Fully Restored Wetland

10. 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 239-470-4703 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