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TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida
Cabinet today voted to acquire two parcels in Duval
County totaling 3,939 acres. Part of the Northeast
Florida Timberlands and Watershed Reserve Florida
Forever project, one of the parcels is adjacent to both
Cary State Forest and Whitehouse Naval Outlying Field.
“Florida has demonstrated a continued and bold
commitment to acquire conservation lands that sustain
the environment, increase national security and
strengthen our economy,” said Department of
Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille.
“The acquisition of nearly 4,000 acres will add to a
massive conservation corridor that is safeguarding black
bears and bald eagles, while providing a significant
buffer for the Navy’s installation.”
Priced at $7.19 million, the properties will be
managed by Florida’s Division of Forestry as an addition
to Cary State Forest. The Division of Forestry will
contribute approximately $1.2 million for the purchase,
with the remainder coming from the state’s premier land
acquisition program, Florida Forever.
Targeting more than 139,800 acres across three
counties, the Northeast Florida Timberlands and
Watershed Reserve Florida Forever project protects a
contiguous belt of green space stretching from the
Osceola to the Ocala National Forest. When complete, the
conservation project will connect Jennings State Forest,
the Cecil Field Conservation Corridor, Cary State Forest
and the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. The
vast expanse of natural lands also touches two military
installations, Camp Blanding and the Whitehouse Naval
Outlying Field, and adjoins the Etoniah/Cross Florida
Greenway. More than 35,000 acres of the conservation
area are now in public ownership, safeguarding rare
wildlife including the bald eagle, red-cockaded
woodpecker and Florida black bear.
Under the leadership of Governor Bush, Florida became
the first state in the nation to collaborate with the
Department of Defense for the dual purpose of
environmental protection and national defense. To date,
the State has invested more than $755 million to acquire
more than half a million acres of land around military
installations. Florida plans to acquire an additional
650,000 acres to preserve wildlife habitat and reduce
encroachment on military operations through Florida
Forever, the 10-year, $3 billion land conservation
program established by the Governor and the Legislature.
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