Alachua County Forever

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.