FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 30, 2004
CONTACT: Linda Long, (850) 245-2112

Florida Expands Wekiva-Ocala Greenway

--Acquisition preserves black bear habitat, provides critical land link--

LAKE COUNTY – Florida added another 90 acres to the Wekiva-Ocala Greenway this week, expanding a natural corridor stretching from Orlando to the Ocala National Forest. The State has now acquired nearly 42,000 acres of the Florida Forever project, over half the total lands needed to complete the greenway.

“Increasing protection for valuable natural resources benefits our environment, economy and quality of life,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “This acquisition provides a unique recreational opportunity in a large metropolitan area and provides wildlife with a natural passageway to the Ocala National Forest.”

The State began acquiring property in the Wekiva-Ocala Greenway in the 1960s. When complete, the 75,000-acre tract will form a continuous corridor linking the Wekiva Springs State Park, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, Lower Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve, Hontoon Island State Park and the Ocala National Forest.

Expansion of the greenway protects the region's springs, rivers and lakes and provides habitat for more than 50 Florida black bears. Close to the booming Orlando metro area, the greenway also provides the public with access to natural areas for camping, swimming, hiking and canoeing.

Expansion of the greenway builds upon regional environmental protection efforts in Central Florida. Last spring, the Florida Legislature approved a proposal to build an expressway through the Wekiva River basin adopting recommendations of a task force appointed by Governor Jeb Bush. Connecting State Road 429 in Apopka to Interstate 4 in Sanford, the Wekiva Parkway includes a host of environmental safeguards, including the preservation of nearly 10,000 acres of wetlands and wildlife habitat and elevating the road across environmentally-sensitive areas.

The 10-year, $3 billion Florida Forever program established by Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature conserves environmentally sensitive land, restores water resources and preserves important cultural and historic resources.