Our mission is to preserve the natural habitat of the Bocilla Islands Chain while fostering community engagement and environmental education to ensure a balanced coexistence between the ecosystem and local residents. We do this through land acquisition, habitat and shoreline restoration, and environmental education.
Our mission is to cultivate green spaces that benefit both nature and our community, with a focus on our Eco Educational Park, EPIC, and the Artificial Reef and Marine Life Park. These initiatives, along with our Clean Islands, oysters for clean water, and the Dark Sky initiative for sea turtles, are just a sample of our efforts to ensure a vibrant future for the Bocilla Islands.
Explore our island’s unique ecosystem and conservation efforts through interactive experiences and educational programs that bring local wildlife and habitats to life. Our work begins with land acquisition to protect habitat and conservation areas, and is strengthened through education that connects our community to these preserved lands.
Hosts Dock Habitats (Mini Reefs) & Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOG’s)
This unique site features 20 mini reefs that serve as nursery habitats for marine species, filtering over 30,000 gallons of water each day. Visitors can relax on a driftwood bench leading to the dock, where they can explore our ongoing oyster restoration efforts. The park blends natural beauty with vital conservation initiatives, offering an educational and tranquil experience for all. This park is also known as Driftwood Park.
Also known as The Gnome Garden
Immerse yourself in the unique flora of our barrier islands. Discover the local wildlife while learning about the species that make our barrier islands so special. Perfect for all ages, stroll through the garden, keeping an eye out for our whimsical gnomes, which often exhibit stories for children. We hope that your visit will inspire you as you shape your own garden.
Join our conservation programs to protect and restore our island’s ecosystems. Volunteer your time and talents, make a donation to support essential resources, or participate in our adoption program by nurturing sea oats or mangrove propagules, or adopting a mini reef to aid in marine life restoration.
Our programs are designed for volunteers eager to learn about the ecosystem! Participate in activities such as building Vertical Oyster Gardens, propagating mangroves, restoring shorelines, and planting sea oats. Unlike traditional lectures, these hands-on experiences allow you to engage directly with the environment and make a tangible impact.
Volunteer Island Cleanup Team
The Clean Islands volunteer team is dedicated to preserving the beauty of our island. Our passionate group of volunteers comes together to clean vital areas, including easements and beach access points, ensuring our environment remains vibrant and accessible. Thanks to our generous community members and visitors, we have successfully removed approximately 10 tons of construction debris and 6 tons of vegetation, all fueled by the energy and big hearts of our volunteers. Join us in making a real difference—get involved and help us keep BOCILLA Island beautiful.
May 21, 2026
Click Here to Sign Up. Join us in this vital mission to protect and revitalize our aquatic ecosystems! VOGs consist of oyster shells strung together with lengths of rope, designed to hang below docks. Building on the success of our pilot projects at the Marine Life Park and Artificial Reef, we are excited to introduce our upcoming program this fall. This effort not only aims to enrich our park’s biodiversity but also encourages community members to establish similar gardens at their docks.
20 Mini Reefs were installed by Ocean Habitat on May 17, 2023 at the Artificial Reef & Marine Life Park.
If you have a dock, you can purchase your very own Mini Reef, and we’ll help you install it. And if you don’t have a dock, you can still join the fun by adopting a Mini Reef that will be installed at a host location or one of our parks. Best of all, you can adopt a portion of a Mini Reef — every contribution helps, and together we’ll build reefs that clean the water and bring marine life back to our islands. Each Mini Reef filters up to 30,000 gallons of seawater daily while creating a habitat for fish and other marine life.
We are proud to be a Nationally Certified Wildlife Habitat Community, recognizing that our community as a whole met the requirements by certifying 40 individual properties and providing ongoing education that supports and celebrates wildlife conservation.
Receiving a Certified Wildlife Habitat® designation from the National Wildlife Federation means that your property provides the essential elements wildlife need to thrive—food, water, cover, places to raise young, and sustainable practices that support the local ecosystem. This certification recognizes your commitment to creating and maintaining a healthy environment where native plants and animals can flourish.
From the sea floor to the sky: Protecting our island treasures.
The Island Lecture Series is a fun social gathering to meet, mingle, and learn. It is an opportunity to explore interesting topics that highlight our island’s unique environment, the importance of land conservation & other interests of our island community.
From Spring 2025
Did you know sea turtles don’t even begin to reproduce until they’re 25 years old? That’s just one reason protecting their nests is so critical. We’ve highlighted key insights from a recent discussion with Carol McCoy of the Coastal Wildlife Club — from monitoring and Lights Out efforts to the hidden threats of microplastics.
From Spring 2025
Did you know underwater seagrass can capture carbon up to 35 times more efficiently than a rainforest? These meadows don’t just clean our air — they also feed fisheries, clear our waters, and protect Charlotte Harbor’s shoreline.
From Spring 2025
Did you know many Florida shorebirds nest directly on the sand and in fragile dunes? In a recent lecture, bird specialist Mike Weisensee explained how giving these areas space during nesting season helps protect eggs and chicks — and allows us to share the beach while safeguarding their habitats.
Be the first to learn about our Island Living lecture series and exciting fundraisers, where we unite to support preservation and environmental education! Stay informed about our upcoming clean-up events and hands-on demonstrations in our parks, like creating oyster strings that benefit our beautiful shores!
Bocilla Islands Conservancy Overview
Bocilla Islands Conservancy is a public, nonprofit, non-political organization working in partnership with the residents of the Bocilla Islands chain, including Don Pedro Island, Knight Island, Little Gasparilla Island, and Thornton Key. Our mission is to preserve the natural habitat of the Bocilla Islands Chain while fostering community engagement and environmental education to ensure a balanced coexistence between the ecosystem and local residents. The Conservancy can customize conservation easements through land acquisition, ensuring sensitive habitats are preserved and protected to maintain the ecological balance of the islands.
Disclaimer:
The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and reflects the views and opinions of Bocilla Islands Conservancy members. It is not intended as legal, financial, or professional advice. Bocilla Islands Conservancy assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the information provided. Visitors are encouraged to consult qualified professionals regarding any concerns or decisions. By using this site, you agree that Bocilla Islands Conservancy and its contributors shall not be held liable for any actions taken based on the information presented here.