FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2018
DEP Grants Over $6 Million to Hillsborough, Lake
and Indian River Counties for Land Acquisition
~Funds will be used for land acquisition to further conservation and outdoor recreation~
DEP's Florida Communities Trust presented Hillsborough, Lake and
Indian River counties with ceremonial checks.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Communities Trust (FCT) awarded Hillsborough, Lake and Indian River counties with more than $6 million in grant funding to help acquire 720 acres of land across the state for conservation and outdoor recreation.
“The collaborative efforts between FCT and our local stakeholders are represented through these projects," said David Clark, DEP Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation. "I thank our partners for continued commitment to achieve land acquisitions that promote conservation and protection of Florida."
Hillsborough County:
- The acquisition of Phase II of Lake Dan Preserve, encompassing 1,100 acres, will protect and preserve natural resources that provide recreation such as hiking, wildlife viewing and equestrian trail riding.
Lake County:
- The acquisition of 136 acres at the Lake May Reserve will provide hiking trails, picnic areas, outdoor education facilities, an observation platform and floating canoe/kayak launch.
Indian River County:
- The acquisition of the 163-acre Sebastian Harbor Preserve protects key wildlife habitats, including those of nesting bald eagles, ospreys, Florida scrub-jays and sandhill cranes, and provides economic benefits to the community as a readily accessible ecotourism destination.
Funded by the Florida Forever Program, Florida Communities Trust assists communities in protecting important natural resources, providing recreational opportunities, and preserving Florida's traditional working waterfronts. This preservation works through the competitive criteria in the Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program and the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Florida Forever Grant Program. These grant programs provide funding to local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations to acquire land for parks, open space, greenways, and projects supporting Florida's seafood harvesting and aquaculture industries.
Florida Forever is Florida’s premier conservation and recreation lands acquisition program, a blueprint for conserving natural resources and renewing Florida’s commitment to conserve the state’s natural and cultural heritage.
|
