Florida Forever was created in 2001 to succeed the extremely successful Preservation 2000 conservation program. Under Florida Forever and Preservation 2000, Florida has protected more than 2.4 million acres of land.
To name just a few successes, Florida Forever has protected:
Last week, the Governor and Cabinet approved an agreement to acquire perpetual conservation easements over the 343 acre Smith Family Farm. The farm will be protected though the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, administered through the Division of Forestry and funded by Florida Forever. A Florida Forever Coalition member organization, Muller and Associates, Inc., prepared the Smith’s application and wrote this about the project:
Muller said the Smith Family Farm project was compelling due to “Hastings’ strong agricultural character, the threat of development in this coastal county, and the Smith family’s commitment to farming.” The farm’s location near important black bear habitat was another significant factor. The easement will prevent development and provide a buffer to bear habitat.
Started in 1920, the Smith farm was proclaimed “Florida’s First Horseless Farm” when it acquired a tractor in 1930. While the Smiths are a long-time farming family, this sixth-generation operation closely monitors and adjusts to market demands. Tracking the increasing interest in the slow food movement, the Smiths run a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enterprise. This partnership between local consumers and the Smith family spreads the risks and rewards of the local farm and raises organic vegetables for its 50 shareholders. As a result of this and other efforts, Jeb Smith was recently named winner of Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award.
In addition to raising row crops, the Smiths operate a grass-fed beef operation, using forage grown on their farm. As Wayne Smith puts it, “The bottom line to all of this is we are a farm family to whom the way of life is an important part of who we are. There are four generations on this dirt right now that want to find a way to stay here in the face of increasing pressures.”
The project received a strong endorsement from St. Johns County, which has multiple ongoing efforts to support sustainable agriculture in the county. Ron Sanchez, chair of the St. Johns County Commission, said “The permanent protection of this farm, which is a symbol of the region’s family farms, represents a critical step in St. Johns County’s efforts to insure local agriculture for future generations.”
This week Governor Crist and the Cabinet voted to purchase a 782 acre conservation easement on Adams Ranch. Adams Ranch, located in Seminole county, was founded in 1937 and has been a working ranch for four generations. The property was also number seven on the Coalition’s Top Ten At Risk Florida Forever projects.
A family member said the $1.6 million payment by the state for the conservation easement will allow the family to continue ranching as it has been for 70 years and four generations. The ranch is nationally recognized for its Braford cattle herd-breeding program, the department said.
“We believe that (state) programs like these will help family ranches such as ours stay together and continue producing food for people,” said Lee Ann Adams, a member of the family’s youngest generation.
Completing their work on the FY 2010-11 budget late Monday, Senate and House budget negotiators have finalized consideration of $15 million for Florida Forever. This amount, and the entire budget, now receive three days of “cooling off” in both the Senate and the House before a final vote by each body on Friday.
Given the current economic and fiscal realities, this appropriation for Florida Forever represents an important statement of continuity for land protection by the state of Florida. We applaud all of you, Floridians who care deeply about the most important places in our state, for your long work. We also encourage you to thank Senator JD Alexander and Representative David Rivera, the budget conference chairs, for their support of Florida Forever.
While a small percentage of the $300 million for which Florida Forever is authorized annually, $15 million allows the program to continue and provides reason for optimism for the future. All of us – and many, many other Floridians – will continue to work to make Florida Forever a success and to build support for this critical program.
Funding for Florida Forever will be determined in the coming days. Now is the time to contact key decision makers in the Florida legislature. Let them know Florida Forever is a priority to you, share these talking points, and urge them to include Florida Forever in the budget. Please take the time to contact:
Representative Dean Cannon at 850-488-2742 dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov
Representative David Rivera at 850-488-7897 david.rivera@myfloridahouse.gov
Senator JD Alexander at 850-487-5044 alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Jeff Atwater at 850-487-5100 atwater.jeff.web@flsenate.gov
Once again, Florida Forever, the land preservation program that is one of the state’s most effective initiatives, is in danger of going unfunded….It was damaging enough the popular program was not funded last year for the first time in its history. Another year of neglect would signal landowners that the state is not serious about acquisition and could jeopardize the program’s existence. The state also would be missing an opportunity to capitalize on declining land prices….Florida Forever isn’t only about shielding springs, forests and fragile coastal areas from development and providing recreational opportunities. It is a critical investment in the economy. Renewed funding has been endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, which notes that the state’s economic future is dependent on a “knowledge workforce” and those workers value a “high quality of life, sustainable communities and a commitment to the environment.”
Visit our YouTube Page to view our Florida Forever art exhibit being shown today at the Florida Capitol. Without funding, these special places are at risk of being lost forever. please call your legislator today and let them know you support Florida Forever.
Florida’s First Magnitude Springs (Walton, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Wakulla, Leon, Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee, Lafayette, Levy, Marion and Hernando counties): Florida’s aquifer is a natural wonder unlike any in the world. Eight billion gallons of flowing, subterranean water give rise to 33 first magnitude springs that gush more than 65 million gallons per day. One such example is the Diepolder cave system (pictured), which is part of the Weeki Wachee watershed. Florida’s aquifer is extremely delicate. Human disturbances, such as pollution from nitrates, fertilizers and residential waste, create major water quality problems. Creating protection zones around sensitive first magnitude springs will help protect the aquifer.
Florida Keys Ecosystem (Monroe County): With gin-clear water, reefs, islands, and unique hardwood hammocks, the Keys are one of Florida’s natural gems that are under grave threat due to intense development. Protecting what’s left of the unprotected, undeveloped Keys will enhance current nature-based recreational opportunities for millions of visitors and help ensure the survival of 68 unique rare plants and animals, some found no where else in the world.
Wekiva-Ocala Greenway (Orange, Lake, Seminole and Volusia counties): Sunrise paints warm light on the gnarled cypress-lined shore of Lake Norris at the western end of Florida Forever’s 82,048- acre Wekiva-Ocala Greenway project. Preserving large tracts of quality habitat, this project can provide tremendous recreational opportunities for the Orlando area and diversify its economic base. The lower Wekiva River is a National Wild and Scenic River, and the Florida Trail, a designated National Scenic Trail, is planned to cross through the project boundaries. Click the photo to enlarge.
Caber Coastal Connector (Levy County): Sunrise illuminates the marsh around Preacher Hole, a popular fishing spot along the Caber Coastal Connector. At 6,052 acres, the Caber Coastal Connector is a small landscape with big possibilities. Two paved roads provide excellent access and, if purchased, the area will be managed for its recreation potential as a full-service destination park with camping facilities, horseback riding, hiking, cycling, boating and fishing. Management will be in conjunction with protected lands to the north and south. Click on the photo to enlarge.
"Without the financial support of a Florida Forever grant, the City of Carrabelle would not have been able to buy the Crooked River Lighthouse Park property. This lighthouse is an important part of the maritime history of Florida and my community. It is now an important recreational and cultural asset as it draws tourists and lighthouse enthusiasts from all over the United States."
-Carabelle Lighthouse Association
