Native Plants Put Down Roots at Barfield Burrows

Conservation Collier was hard at work on the morning of July 30, enhancing the ecosystem for its local residents, which include nesting bald eagles, burrowing owls, and gopher tortoises at the Conservation Collier Restoration Site on South Barfield Drive.

Named ‘Barfield Burrows’ by the Conservation, the lot was originally cleared of invasives such as Brazilian Hot Pepper in 2024, and additional work such as the construction of a border fence alongside the lot’s outskirts to help deter the gopher tortoises from wandering into the street and to prevent both curious individuals and predators from venturing onto the site has been steadily completed.

There was a sea of red ribbons scattered across the vast lot. The ribbons held onto each new plant awaiting its home. Seven volunteers and five Conservation Collier staff labored through the summer heat digging in the designated spots before planting the numerous native plants and grasses.

Forage plants that attract pollinators, Blazing Stars, Silt Grasses, two Thatch Palms, and ‘hammocky’ type plants like Gumbo Limbo and Sea Grapes were among the 420 native plants being settled into their new home. Conservation Collier obtained the plants through maintenance funds budgeted for Barfield Burrows.

“Many of the plants are foraging for gopher tortoises, which like low-growing grasses and get almost all their water from fresh plants. Plants or their fruits they like to eat that were planted include: Blueberry, Beach Creeper, Beach Sunflower, Coreopsis, Railroad Vine, Seagrape, Sea Oxeye. Tortoises are generalists, meaning they are not very picky,” a spokesperson for Conservation Collier shared.

Having noticed that the gopher tortoise’s burrows tend to collapse pretty easily, the addition of beach dune stabilizers, like the Railroad Creeping Vine, will help in collapse prevention.

While these new additions not only beautify the restoration lot, the ecosystem within is being enhanced through the native plants, making a lasting impact. The burrowing residents will continue to thrive as nature grows. “Though primarily intended to establish historically native vegetation to reduce the prevalence of invasive and nuisance vegetation, they will also promote pollinator populations, provide foraging for gopher tortoises, and prevent erosion and degradation of the burrows. They promote native biodiversity and stability,” said Collier Conservation. 

There is no greater time than the present, as gopher tortoises have recently gone from a conservation status of ‘Vulnerable’ to now ‘Critically Endangered’. Habitat fragmentation and urban development are primary factors contributing to population changes.

At Barfield Burrows, there are at least 120 potentially occupied burrows. “The last survey conducted took place in May 2026. Often, gopher tortoise populations are estimated via the number of potentially occupied burrows on a site; the number of burrows is applied to a formula to yield the population of tortoises,” said Conservation Collier staff.

When asked if there is anything Marco Island residents can do to help with the restoration site, Conservation Collier replied, “Enjoy and observe from the perimeter; do not enter the habitat. The gopher tortoise habitat and burrows are very sensitive. A burrow could collapse if walked upon, which is why visitors shall stay on the perimeter. There is also a Bald Eagle nesting pair that usually arrives in late August, early September. View this pair from the observation area just off the sidewalk.” 

If you want to find out more information or sign up for volunteer opportunities, e-mail conservationcollier@collier.gov.