Part of maintaining and enhancing economic vitality is ensuring the sustainability of a community economically and environmentally. For Flagler County, efforts to preserve the natural beauty and resources of the community were recently recognized by the Northeast Florida Regional Council.

The county is a recipient of an annual Regional Award for Excellence from the Council for environmental stewardship because of the county’s recent – and in progress – purchases through its Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) program, according to a media release.

“Northeast Florida is being shaped by visionary, transformational work that is uplifting communities and creating lasting impact across the region,” said Beth Payne, CEO of NEFRC, in the release.

In October of last year, Flagler County closed on its fourth Environmentally Sensitive Land purchase within a year. This latest purchase is a 5.15-acre parcel to the west of the Hammock Dunes Bridge for the city of Palm Coast, giving it room to expand its Linear Park to the north.

More than half the money spent since 1988 within Flagler County on environmentally sensitive lands has been spent within the municipalities, or within state parks. Within the city of Palm Coast, ESL funds contributed to the purchase of Linear Park, Long’s Landing and Mulberry Branch, the release states.

Other recent completed purchases within the calendar year include 25 acres adjacent to Princess Place Preserve, which closed for $700,000 (more than half from ESL funds) in March 2024; 27.5 acres at Bull Creek to expand conservation and recreation, which closed for about $1.15 million on March 31, 2025; and 307 acres in Pringle Forest along Pellicer Creek was purchased for $3 million on June 9, 2025. It was funded by state appropriation to protect critical wetlands and wildlife habitat.

Flagler County has under contract to purchase 3,819 acres – a collection of 10 adjacent parcels located to the north of Daytona North and south of Potatoville Road – referred to as the “Peterson property,” for a purchase price of $6.11 million. It will be part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor for long-term conservation, according to the release. Additionally, the county is progressing towards the purchase of 35 acres in Marineland for preservation. No purchase price has been set.

“Receiving an award like this serves as testament to the efforts made to shape a vibrant and interconnected community, where collaboration is not just a concept but a way of life,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said in the release. “Through Environmentally Sensitive Lands purchases, residents receive real and lasting benefits that include reduced flooding, cleaner water through natural runoff filtration, preservation of open space and community character, access to parks and trails, and permanent land protection that ensures future generations can continue to enjoy the natural beauty of Flagler County.”

In 1988, Flagler County voters approved an ad valorem tax to acquire environmentally sensitive lands, recreation areas and water protection areas. The catalyst for this action was the desire to preserve and protect Princess Place Preserve for public benefit, a site of significant historical and ecological importance, the release states.

The Northeast Florida Regional Council is an independent, regional government agency serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau and St. Johns counties. It provides a regional perspective on economic development, emergency preparedness, resiliency and community development to enhance the quality of life of Northeast Florida residents.

Source: https://evolve2succeed.com/flagler-county-honored-for-environmental-stewardship/