Further Reading

Video Files and Other Footage

County Update

Alachua County Forever Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Show #2

Alachua County Forever Signs Show #3 

Alachua County Forever Sweetwater BIPM Grant Show #7

Alachua County Forever Mill Creek Opening Show #12

Alachua County Forever Sweetwater Opening Show #14

Alachua County Forever Phifer Flatwoods Opening Show #16

Alachua County Forever Ledwith Prairie Acquisition Show #19

Alachua County Forever Paynes Prairie Edwards Acquisition Show #24

General Interest

Green Infrastructure:Smart Conservation for the 21st Century
The Trust for Public Land.

• Abstract: Oliver Wendall Holmes said that “to live fully is to be engaged in the passions of one’s time.” Clearly land conservation is one of the passions of our time. Over the past few years, poll after poll and ballot measure after ballot measure have demonstrated Americans’ support for land conservation. However, we need new approaches to land conservation to address the accelerating rate at which land is being developed. In the 1970s, when we began working in the conservation movement, conservation organizations worked to protect individual parcels of land. Today we realize that we must protect networks of open space. Still, too many land conservation efforts are haphazard and reactive in nature. They deal with whatever comes over the transom. The result is haphazard conservation and haphazard development. From our perspective, successful land conservation in the future will have to be: More proactive and less reactive; More systematic and less haphazard; Multifunctional, not single purpose; Large scale, not small scale, and; Better integrated with other efforts to manage growth and development. The key to accomplishing this, we believe, is “green infrastructure”, a new framework that provides a strategic approach to land conservation.

Banking On Green:
A Look at How Green Infrastructure Can Save Municipalities Money and Provide Economic Benefits Community-wide.

A Joint Report by American Rivers, the Water Environment Federation, the American Society of Landscape Architects and ECONorthwest
April 2012

• Abstract: This report focuses on the economic impacts caused by polluted urban runoff, also known as “stormwater,” a significantly growing source of water pollution in the United States.1 It’s not intended to be an academic or technical document, but instead to be an “easy to read” compendium of current experiences, analysis and knowledge. Our goal is to provide something useful for municipal and utility officials, local, state and national elected representatives, and the general public.

The Value of Green Infrastructure:

A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits.

The Center for Neighborhood Technology and American Rivers
2010

• Abstract:This guide distills key considerations involved in assessing the economic merits of green infrastructure practices. It examines the steps necessary to calculate a variety of performance benefits gained by implementing GI strategies and then, where possible, demonstrates simplified illustrative examples that estimate the magnitude and value of these benefits.

"Open Space Proximity and Land Values, Alachua County, Florida"

• Abstract: 2004 Study by the Trust for Public Land on the impact of conserving open space in Alachua County on the Tax Base.

"The Economic Benefits of Land Conservation." Trust for Public Land, 2007.

• Abstract: Too often we hear that communities can't afford to create parks, preserve farms, conserve open space, and protect watershed landscapes. Government officials and business leaders want to know how conserving land affects a community's finances. The five research studies in this report come from acknowledged experts in their fields. Taken together, the papers confirm that strategic land conservation promotes sound economic growth. (from the Foreword)

"The Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space" Trust for Public Land, 1999

• Abstract: Accumulating evidence indicates that open space conservation is not an expense but an investment that produces important economic benefits. Evidence is from the firsthand experience of community leaders and government offcials who have found that open space protection does not "cost" but "pays." This casebook presents data and examples that can help leaders and concerned citizens make the economic case for parks and open space conservation. (from the Foreword)

"The Benefits of Parks" Trust for Public Land, 2006

• Abstract: This white paper outlines how desperate the need is for city parks-especially in inner-city neighborhoods. And it goes on to describe the social, environmental, economic, and health benefits parks bring to a city and its people. (from the Foreword)

FY0809 Budget Presentation

• Abstract: Staff's presentation to the Manager. 

Local Land Conservation Efforts: A Study of Selected County Programs in the United States 

• Abstract: University Of Washington Study Comparing Natural Resource Stewardship Efforts in the U.S. Used in benchmarking for levels of effort, budget and personnel assignment.

Alachua County "Great Work" Presentation

• Abstract: Outreach presentation.   

Alachua County "Heart of Alachua County" Brochure

• Abstract: Outreach Information. 

 Benefits of Open Space and Land Conservation Pamphlets (from Trust for Public Land)

"Taking Land off the Tax Rolls: Good or Bad Idea?"

• Abstract: Opinion piece on the impact on the tax base of conservation. By Robert "Hutch" Hutchinson. 

"Protecting Wild Florida"

• Abstract: The Nature Concervancy's estimate of the remaining need for Florida Forever and focused on Environmentally Sensitive Land

"Florida Parks in the 21st Century"

• Abstract: Report from Florida Recreation and Park Association focused on active recreation and urban green space.

"The Local Government Perspective 10-09-06" 

• Abstract: Staff presentation to Partnership and Land Acquisition and Mangement Conference

Impact of local government on conservation of land efforts across Florida

• Abstract: List of local conservation programs in Florida.

Report on the amount of conservation land by county in Florida

• Abstract: Conservation land acreages in Florida

Local Land Trust Signed A Fraudulent Tax Form!
by Stephen J. Small, Esq.

• Abstract: Legal Opinion column excerpted from Exchange, The Journal of the Land Trust Alliance. Fall 2003

"Conservation Easements Today: The Good and the Not-So-Good"
by Stephen Small

• Abstract: Legal Opinion column excerpted from Exchange, The Journal of the Land Trust Alliance. Spring 2003 

"The Silent Partner in Conservation Easements: Drafting for the Courts"
by Andrew C. Dana

• Abstract: Excerpted from the Back Forty, The Newsletter of Land Conservation Law January/February 1999 Vol 8, No. 1, "In my conservation real-estate law practice, my experience has been that land trust personnel--who are often untrained in drafting legal documents--negotiate and draft conservation easements themselves, without direct attorney oversight. Although this practice is contrary to most printed advice and the Land Trust Alliance's recommended Standards and Practices, the reasons are practical and understandable..." 

Links and other useful information....

• The Florida Forever State of Florida Land Conservation Program
• State of Florida Office of Greenways and Trails
• Florida Communities Trust - State of Florida Recreational Lands Grant Program
• USDA Land and Water Conservation Fund
• Alachua County Forever Maps and Project Descriptions
• Land Trust Alliance

Program Operations

Alachua County Forever Adaptive Acquisition Techniques Round Table. June 10, 2005.
Summary Report in Adobe format

• Abstract: On June 10, 2004, the Program held a workshop to develop prinicples to deal with the volatile and speculative Real Estate market and guide negotiation of conservation projects.

Alachua County Forever Land Conservation Workshop January 14, 2002.
Summary Report in Adobe Format

• Abstract: On January 14th, 2002, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a workshop to develop guidance for land conservation project selection, financing and stewardship under the Alachua County Forever program.

Alachua County Forever Decision Matrix and Support Document 

• Abstract: These documents help staff score and evaluate nominated properties

BoCC Land Conservation Guidance Document

• Abstract: Developed from the January 14, 2002 Land Conservation Workshop, this document codifies the Commission priorities for the selection of conservation lands. 

Chapter 36 of the Alachua County Code

• Abstract: This section of the County Code was created through Ordinance 00-13 and establishes the Program and the Land Conservation Board.

Resolution 09-10

• Abstract: This County Resolution establishes the process for selecting and acquiring environmentally sensitive land. Adopted January 27, 2009 amending and replacing earlier Resolution 06-01.

Resolution 06-01

• Abstract: This County Resolution establishes the process for selecting and acquiring environmentally sensitive land. Adopted January 10, 2006 amending and replacing earlier Resolutions.

Ordinance 00-13

• Abstract: County Ordinance establishing a land conservation program; creating a land conservation board; providing for the acquisition and County ownership of real estate; and providing for use of bond proceeds.  Adopted July 25, 2000

Resolution  00-60

• Abstract: County Resolution calling for a bond referendum for the issuance of limited general obligation bonds to acquire environmentally significant lands  Adopted July 25, 2000

Land Nomination Application

• Do you want to nominate lands for conservation?  You will need this form.

Land Conservation Board Meetings.

 This section has been moved to here

Wild Spaces and Public Places Citizens Oversight Committee Meetings.

This section has been moved to here.

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  Contracts and other items to be considered by the County Commission:

Note: These are provided as reference only. Official copies may be obtained from the Alachua County Agenda Coordinator's Office 374-5204. For files from previous meetings, click here