Gopher Tortoise Sanctuary a First for Martin County, Florida

At our master-planned community of Newfield in Martin County, Florida, we have incorporated a Gopher Tortoise Sanctuary into the development. Regarded as a keystone species because the burrows it digs provide shelter for more than 300 other animal species, the gopher tortoise population is under threat due to habitat destruction. The 30-acre sanctuary is part of the larger Kiplinger Conservancy at Newfield, more than 2,000 acres of permanently preserved land.

The tortoise preservation area will be the first of its kind in Martin County and embodies Mattamy’s commitment to sustainability, which is a defining feature of the Newfield development. Newfield is being designed with sustainability as a fundamental pillar – a pillar that’s been eagerly welcomed by community stakeholders and prospective residents.

The Gopher Tortoise Sanctuary will be home to nearly 50 gopher tortoises, and the number is expected to grow as the community develops. Surrounding the preservation area in the conservancy are two trails – Tortoise Trail and Little Tortoise Trail – which opened to the public in November 2023. The inclusion of trails, in the company of gopher tortoises, also serves as an educational platform for community members to learn about the importance of protecting threatened species.