Environmental Protection
Land Conservation
Quick Links:
Program SummaryCommission FilesLand Conservation Board
Wild Spaces & Public Places Committee Contact us 
Mission Statement:
To acquire, manage and improve environmentally significant lands to protect water resources, wildlife habitat, and to provide natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation.
Vision and Values:
Alachua County Forever will be a conscientious, innovative, progressive leader in land conservation and use acquisition, stewardship and funding development practices to preserve the environmental integrity of Alachua County and improve the quality of life for current and future generations.
Objectives:
1. To be accountable to the taxpayers.
2. To acquire the most environmentally significant habitats.
3. To use a 'No Loss of Conservation Values' stewardship ethic.
4. To treat partners, landowners and sellers with respect.
5. To leverage the County's local investment.
6. To encourage a community land ethic.
News from
Alachua County Forever
Check back here regularly for updates from your Land Conservation Program.
Quarterly Report NEW!
Project List Status Report
ACF project map
1/15/10: County Closes on Martin/White/Sanders
Another parcel has been purchased to buffer the San Felasco Hammock State Park. The Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of the 65-acre White/Martin/Sanders Tract last Novermber. This property strengthens the buffer between San Felasco and adjacent urbanized land use and preserves good-quality mesic hammock. It also protects one-half mile of Turkey Creek, a seepage stream originating several miles northeast of the site. It enters the property from the east and exits to the west, eventually entering the State Park, where it flows into the Floridan aquifer via a sink in Sanchez Prairie.
12/08/09: County Commission Approves Two More Purchases
The Board of County Commissioners approved the contracts on the 379-acre Turkey Creek Hammock Project in the San Felasco Hammock Area, and the 325-acre Lochloosa Creek - Phifer Hill (Roberts Land & Timber) Tract. Both are significant additions to existing conservation areas in the County. The Turkey Creek Hammock Property is ideally located for passive recreational uses and is adjacent to San Felasco Hammock State Park. Staff is planning to open the site to the public by the Fall of 2010. The sellers have pledged to fund a stewardship endowment to assist with the infrastructure and operating costs of the Preserve. The Roberts property enhances the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in SE Alachua County. It is located south of CR 2082 and may be linked to the existing ACF Phifer Preserve in the future as funding develops.
11/16/09: Mill Creek Nature Preserve Marsh Viewing Area Seating Completed
The long awaited completion of the Alachua County Forever (ACF) Mill Creek Nature Preserve marsh wildlife observation viewing seating has been completed! The new area (Wildlife Observation on Blue Trail: see Brochure) provides hikers a resting spot with a view of the marsh and the open sky above the marsh. This project is consistent with the ACF Program's efforts to be more resource efficient by making use of invasive exotic species like the Camphor trees (making lemonade out of lemons), donations, locally available resources and free labor. Read more...
11/10/09: North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project Highlighted.
The partnership between ACF, the State Florida Communities Trust, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alachua Conservation Trust, Conservation Trust for Florida and The Conservation Fund was highlighted in the Fall 2009 newsletter of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. The ACJV protects habitat and flyways for migratory birds. They chose this project as a featured area to highlight the value of partnerships. Matching the federal contribution of $4 million was $12 million in local, private and State funds. All told, some 7,000 acres around Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park will be protected. These areas include Levy, Kanapaha and Ledwith Prairies, Lake Tuscawilla, and Barr Hammock. From the article, "The marshes of north Florida are important resting and over-wintering habitat for Sandhill Crane, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, and Wood Duck, as well as Greater Yellowleg and Common Snipe. In drier years they provide significant overwintering habitat for rails, Marsh Wren, Sedge Wren, Common Yellowthroat, and numerous species of wintering sparrows.the full article is at: http://www.acjv.org/documents/e-newsfall09.pdf
10/29/09: San Felasco Hammock is the epicenter of new activity.
After several years of inactivity around this State Preserve, Alachua County Forever is excited about the possibility of adding almost 1,000 acres to San Felasco Hammock. Several large tracts are in negotiation, under contract or in the final approval stages. Notable are the 64-acre White and Martin tract going to the County Commission on November 10th, the 209-acre Rolling Meadows property, and the 380-acre Alachua Preserve. We are also working on additional properties that will enhance the ecological and recreational values of the State Park. Stay tuned.
7/31/09: Second purchase with new Wild Spaces & Public Places funds.
Alachua County, the City of Gainesville and the St Johns River Water Management District today closed on the Paynes Prairie Additions - Edwards Tract. The 280-acre addition to the State Park was jointly funded by the three agencies and Alachua County will hold title to the eastern third. The State Park Service will manage the property as a part of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. This purchase was the 30th by Alachua County Forever and the second using the Wild Spaces & Public Places Local Government Surtax which was approved by the voters last November. Read more...
7/25/09: UF Warrington School of Business Lends a Hand at ACF's Sweetwater Preserve.
UF freshman in the College of Business enrolled in the summer Warrington Welcome class assisted Alachua County Forever (ACF) land managers with the maintenance of Sweetwater Preserve. On the morning of Saturday July 25th twenty students were divided into two working groups so they were either knee deep in water cleaning trash from Sweetwater Branch or in the floodplain forest removing non-native invasive air potato plants. Read more...
7/9/09: First purchase with new Wild Spaces & Public Places funds.
Alachua County and the St Johns River Water Management District today closed on the Austin Cary - Gladstone Tract. This 36-acre property closes one of the remaining holes in the District's Newnan's Lake Conservation Area. The $300,000 cost was split evenly by two agencies making this the fifth joint acquisition by the County and the District. The District will manage the property as a part of the Newnans Lake Conservation area. Significantly this purchase was the 29th by Alachua County Forever and the first using the Wild Spaces & Public Places Local Government Surtax which was approved by the voters last November. Read more...
One of the well-documented successes of the Alachua County Forever Program is its ability to leverage OPM... Other People's Money. But most people are only aware of the acquisition side of the house; and justifiably so. To date, the County has been able to raise two dollars of OPM for each dollar of local tax spent on the Acquisition List. But did you know the Program has been even more successful leveraging Stewardship dollars? For the last fiscal year, the resource-management budget for the Program was $62,000. Using that as seed money for grants and staff time for coordination, the Program was able to off-set $484,607 in stewardship costs. Almost eight dollars returned in OPM for every general fund dollar invested. Read more...
6/17/09: ACF's Partner Conservation Trust for Florida's annual report on Eductional Programs.
This beautiful report was prepared by the Conservation Trust for Florida (CTF) and provides a summary of the environmental, historical, and educational programs on the Alachua County Forever Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve. The Report is part of the requirements of the Florida Communites Trust grant and serves to highlight the ongoing outreach efforts by the State, the County and CTF. CTF, the Alachua County Forever/Environmental Protection Department (ACF/EPD) land conservation program, the Alachua Conservation Trust, and the Alachua Audubon Society all helped coordinate and lead 16 educational programs at the Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve from May 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009.. Read more...
4/14/09: Trinity United Methodist Church Volunteers Clean-up Preserve.
On Saturday March 21st, a group of 30 enthusiastic volunteers removed 4.7 tons of solid waste from an Alachua County Forever (ACF) preserve as part of a Keep Alachua County Beautiful: 2009 Great American Clean-up event. The 25-acre preserve is located on the southwestern corner of Newnan's Lake and features beautifully wooded slopes and floodplains featuring majestic cypress. Read more...
4/13/09: Alachua County recognized by NaCO for Sustainability Initiatives including Land Conservation.
From the County Manager's Email: "Colleagues,
It is always a great honor to have our governmental programs highlighted in national periodicals. Alachua County has numerous programs that I feel rank in the top tier of efforts nationally or internationally. And we usually do it for less and with less consultant involvement. When you work for a County that receives this kind of recognition, as shown in the brochure from NACO, we have every right to be proud. Excellent job to all those in the Community Planning Group Departments and supporting Departments for this great recognition." Randall Reid, County Manager. Find the Brochure here
4/6/09: Public support for land conservation remains high in Florida.
A New Poll shows 81% of Voters Hold Favorable Impression of Land Preservation, 67% Support Continued Funding.
At "Florida Forever Day" in Tallahassee today, the Florida Forever Coalition released the results of a new public opinion poll. From The Nature Conservancy: "It represents an important reaffirmation of popular backing for Florida Forever, even in a recession. Find the survey results here.
3/24/09: More evidence that land conservation is good for the bottom line.
The Nature Conservancy published its report, "Economic Benefits of Land Conservation: A Case for Florida Forever" demonstrating the significant positive impact on Florida's economy of preserving lands and providing recreational opportunities. From TNC's Jeff Danter's Miami Herald Op Ed Column:
- More than $1 billion went to local economies throughout the state in fiscal year 2007-08 thanks to the state park system; $70 million-plus collected in state sales taxes went to general revenues, and 20,100 jobs were generated from state park operations.
- Fishing and hunting accounted for more than $8 billion in 2006 and helped support almost 85,300 jobs. Wildlife viewing, enjoyed year-round, supported a $5.2 billion industry and directly employed at least 51,000 people in 2006.
- Florida's forest products and ranching industries (both of which benefit from protected natural resources) accounted for a $9.8 billion economic impact and supported a minimum of 195,000 jobs.
- Military facilities contributed $52 billion and 732,300 jobs in 2005. These bases will remain in operation only if enough land is conserved to keep housing developments from being built too close to the bases.
Read the entire report at www.nature.org/florida.
03/13/09: ACF Closes on largest property to date: Barr Hammock Levy Prairie - Whitehurst.
Alachua County Forever finally closed on the 3,329-acre Whitehurst tract and the adjacent 70-acre Hare tract both on Levy Prairie. Despite several delays and heart-stopping moments, and through the perseverance of local, state and federal staffs, this significant property is now in conservation. More...
03/9/09: County Departments Work Together to Meet Prescribed Fire Objectives on County Lands.
Since early December, 2008, twelve prescribed fires have been successfully conducted on nearly 325 acres at Lake Alto Preserve, Balu Forest, San Felasco County Park, and Phifer Flatwoods Preserve. These were among several prescribed fires planned for County lands during the winter burning season. The fires were prescribed to improve the ecological condition of pine forests within the Preserves and Park, and to reduce wildfire risk to neighboring residential and agricultural areas. (contributed by S. Hetrick, ACF Sr. Env. Specialist). More...
3/4/09: Excellent NPR Family Album Radio Story: "Videophilia and Nature" by Donna Davis.
Every time I visit my folks in the mountains, I try to take a moment to hike down to a large rock bluff and just sit and listen. It's a rare opportunity these days to hear nothing but the trickle of the stream, the rustle of leaves and the songs of birds. Such is also the case for many people, especially children, and this has some researchers and perhaps some parents concerned. More...
2/7/09: UF Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Adopts Sweetwater Preserve
Although it was a crisp 40 degrees last Saturday morning, it did not stop the UF Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) from volunteering at Alachua County's Sweetwater Preserve. Thirteen members of SHPE planted native grasses and removed non-native invasive grasses in the restoration area. They purchased 435 wiregrass and lopsided indiangrass plugs for the planting. These grasses will increase species diversity of the site's groundcover that provides wildlife food & habitat and fine fuels for burning the site. (contributed by K. Ratkus, ACF Env. Specialist). More...
Other Recent Acquisitions.
Watermelon Pond - Ferran was added to the County's growing portfolio in the Watermelon Pond area in southwestern Alachua County. For more information click on the story sheet.
Austin Cary - Bloom & Frank closed on September 29, 2008 with the St. Johns River Water Management District. This 95-acre property is the twenty-fifth purchase by the ACF program. For more information click here to see the information sheet and here for staff's presentation to the County Commission
Kanapaha Prairie - Frederick & Spalding Conservation Easement closed on September 25, 2008. For more information click here to see the information sheet and here for staff's presentation to the County Commission.
Santa Fe River - Camp Kulaqua Conservation Easement closed on August 8, 2008. Click here for site information and here for staff's presentation to the County Commission.
Lochloosa Connector - Wood Conservation Easement closed on July 24, 2008. Click here for site information and here for the staff presentation to the County Commission.
Lochloosa Connector - River Styx closed on February 13, 2008. For more information, click here to access the presentation staff made to the County Commission.
Lake Santa Fe - Lake Alto LLC was closed on February 7, 2008. For more information, click here to access the presentation staff made to the County Commission.
News Articles Archive
Click on any of the titles below to see the full text in Adobe Format.
081216 Annual Christmas Bird Count at Barr Hammock
081104 Alachua County voters approve three land conservation measures
081028 ACF receives $1.1 Million reimbursement from Florida Communities Trust
081021 Alachua County Closes 26th Acquisition - Watermelon Pond Ferran Tract
081011 County opens Phifer Flatwoods Preserve
080929 County closes on 95-acre Austin Cary Flatwoods inholding
080925 County closes on 283 acre Kanapaha Prairie conservation easement
080910 ACF awarded $1 million for the North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project
080808 Alachua County purchases Conservation Easement on Santa Fe River
080724 Alachua County purchases Conservation Easement on Orange Lake
080719 Alachua County opens Sweetwater Preserve
080624 Alachua County Commission Approves Phifer Flatwoods Management Plan
080422 Earth Day Is Proclaimed Land Conservation Day by Alachua County Commission
080422 Mill Creek Preserve Opens on Earth Day April 22 2008
080307 NAWCA Phase 2 Application submitted by ACF
080206 FCT Highlights Alachua County in 2008 Calendar
080204 TPL Publications highlight benefits of Open Space
080128 BoCC approves River Styx
080128 BoCC approves Lake Alto LLC
071227 Robertson Conservation Easement closes
071211 BoCC approves Robertson Conservation Easement
071102 Florida Communities Trust Selects Three Projects for Funding
071010 Local Photographers win photo contest with Barr Hammock Ledwith Prairie Photos.
070927 Alachua County Closes 18th Acquisition
070814 Alachua County receives 6 million check for Barr Hammock
070717 Alachua County Awarded 6 million Reimbursement for Barr Hammock Ledwith Prairie
060517 Alachua County named one of Top 10 Great Green Opportunities
Stephen J. Small's summary of the 2006 incentives for land conservation
Today the President signed into law significant new tax incentives for land conservation. The changes apply to all "qualified conservation contributions" under Section 170(h) of the tax code. "Qualified conservation contributions" include (1) the gift of a remainder interest in land for conservation purposes; (2) a gift of the fee interest in real estate for conservation purposes with a reserved right to extract oil, gas, and subsurface minerals; and (3) the gift of a "qualified real property interest," including a conservation easement. This summary will focus on conservation easement gifts.
201 SE 2nd Ave., Suite 201
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: 352 264 6800 Fax: 352 264 6852
Email us
Ramesh P. Buch
Program Manager
Sandra Vardaman
Lands Biologist
Kelly McPherson
Sr. Environmental Specialist
Susie Hetrick
Sr. Environmental Specialist
Bob Kennedy
Environmental Specialist
Kevin Ratkus
Environmental Specialist
