12,000 acres in Bay County to be preserved

Dylan Gentile, Panama City News Herald

The Florida Cabinet and governor on Tuesday approved the purchase of 85,778 acres of conservation land and easements under the Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands Protection programs across the state. This includes a 12,243-acre portion of the Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project in Bay County.

According to Audubon Florida, the tract is a crucial linkage in the Florida Wildlife Corridor and will provide protection for the St. Andrews Bay Watershed. The group says the watershed is fragile and provides water recharge for public water supply systems.

Audubon also says the purchase will contribute to the preservation of habitat for species such as the pine-woods aster, flatwoods salamander, gopher tortoise, Florida black bear and Bachman’s Sparrow. The group says the watershed provides vital clean fresh water to the estuary.

“Audubon is grateful to the Legislature for funding these acquisitions, and to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for striking such savvy deals for taxpayers,” says Audubon Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell. “These projects don't just preserve habitat for wildlife and keep working lands in production, they also help ensure Floridians have clean drinking water, healthy watersheds and coasts, and support property values and our vibrant economy.”

A document from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the Bear Creek Forest project from May of this year says that the project will help to establish the Northwest Florida Ecological Greenway, a proposed system of natural areas in the Panhandle. The document is a five-year plan and goes on to say that this will contribute to ensuring enough water is available to meet the needs of a growing population and the local ecosystem.

“Florida’s natural resources are vital to our way of life and are a cornerstone of our economy. Investing in land conservation protects our environment and ensures that our children and grandchildren can enjoy Florida’s natural resources for generations to come," said Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis in a news release. "The recent investments in Santa Rosa, Walton, and Bay counties will support projects that restore habitats, protect water quality, and promote the preservation of our state’s beautiful natural resources through our newest state park."

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service will manage the property as Bear Creek Forest, according to the release by the CFO. The land was purchased from Bear Creek Timber LLC. While not mentioned in the release, the Tampa Bay Times reported the acquisition as costing $32.65 million.

The purchases across the state Tuesday cost around $300 million and covers 134 square miles of land.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: 12,000 acres to be preserved in Bay County