Alachua County Forever

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Mission Statement

To acquire, improve, and manage environmentally significant lands that protect water resources, wildlife habitats and natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation.


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What is Alachua County Forever?​

The Alachua County Forever (ACF) Program is the County’s conservation land acquisition and management program. It was established in 2000 after the Alachua County Forever Bond referendum was approved by the voters of Alachua County. The bond provided $29,000,000 for the acquisition and management of environmentally significant lands. Alachua County Forever has since been renewed three times through the voter-approved Wild Spaces Public Places referenda: in 2008 with a 2-year ½-cent sales tax, and in 2016 with a 6-year ½-cent sales tax, and in 2022 with a 10-year -1 cent sales tax. In addition to supporting land conservation, the Wild Spaces and Public Places surtax provides funds for active park improvements, road improvements, and affordable housing and other public use infrastructure in the 9 municipalities, and the County. To date, the County has conserved over 35,000 acres and leveraged over 34% of the cost through partners and matching funds. Properties acquired through the program are managed either by County staff or by partners agencies and non-profits. Partners manage approximately 20% of the acquired land, thus significantly reducing the County’s management costs. The County manages over 25,000 acres as part of its system of Preserves.

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

  • To be accountable to the taxpayers.
  • ​​​​To acquire the most environmentally significant habitats.
  • To use a "No Loss of Conservation Values" stewardship ethic.
  • To treat partners, landowners and sellers with respect.
  • To leverage the County's local investment.
  • To encourage a community land ethic.

Contact us

Land Conservation14 NE 1st St.Gainesville, FL 32601​Phone: 352-264-6868Fax: 352-264-6852Email Us:
landconservation@alachuacounty.us​

ACF project map

Alachua County Forever Project Map
           

ACF Dashboard

  • Total Acr​es Protected: 36,104 acres 
  • Cost of ACF protected lands: $131,492,849.68
    • County share: $86,893,264 (66%)
    • Partner share: $44,599,585.68 (33%)
  • Conservation Lands Managed by ACF: 25,251 acres
  • # of County-Managed Nature Preserves: 23
  • ACF Lands Managed by Partners: 7,281 acres
  • ACF Perpetual Conservation Easements: 5,506
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May 2025

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