Home / Environment / 816 Acres Saved in Putnam County
816 Acres Saved in Putnam County
6 Sep
Summary
- 816.46 acres in Putnam County permanently conserved.
- Easement secured by a $2.665 million partnership.
- Land protected for agriculture and Florida Wildlife Corridor.
In Putnam County, Florida, 816.46 acres of the Meetinghouse Groves property have been permanently conserved. This landmark achievement was realized through a $2,665,000 conservation easement, a collaborative effort between the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) and the Putnam Land Conservancy (PLC).
The funding for this easement was a joint effort. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) contributed $1,359,000, while the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service-Regional Conservation Partnership Program (NRCS/RCPP) provided $1,306,000.
PLC played a key role in assisting the landowner with the state funding application, and NFLT successfully secured the federal funding. The RFLPP now holds the conservation easement, ensuring the land's perpetual protection.
Meetinghouse Groves, situated near Crescent City, is strategically located within the Ocala National Forest to Osceola National Forest (O2O) wildlife corridor. The protected land includes valuable citrus groves, diverse wetlands, and upland habitats, contributing significantly to the O2O corridor's continuity.
This easement not only safeguards the natural environment but also permits ongoing agricultural activities, upholding the Padgett family's four-generation legacy of stewardship. The family expressed pride in preserving "Old Florida" for perpetuity, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding the land's natural resources.
