land preservation

Commissioners voted to buy a 487-acre ranch, creating a continuous corridor of preserved land along the Little Manatee River.

The property tax initially ran from 1995 until 2015, and provided Polk County with over $80 million it used for preserving properties.

Among the referendums coming before voters in November: A 1% sales tax to go to transportation projects in Hillsborough County and a half-cent sales tax in Hernando County would go to roads and parks. A property tax to resurrect Polk County's program to preserve environmentally sensitive lands. And renewal of the Penny for Pasco.

A plan is being drawn up to help manage the 700 acres offshore of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Carlton Ward discusses this and other points during a first-ever Florida Wildlife Corridor Summit.

If commissioners agree to schedule the referendum and voters approve it, the tax would be levied beginning in 2023 and remain in effect for 20 years.

Committee members considered recommending low-level development of the forest preserve, such as an observation center and boardwalks.

Lawmakers’ allocation of $400 million protects thousands of acres of wildlife corridor.

Scientists probe why Florida grasshopper sparrows nest among DeLuca Preserve cattle.

The fate of a last wildlands frontier hinges on politics, policy and tasks such as probing mosquito blood meals.

Ecology thinkers are pursuing wildlife corridors, innovative land purchases, and millions of dollars.

A vast wilderness linking Central and South Florida was spared when plans for a massive development fell apart and the land became the DeLuca Preserve. What’s next may be a great environmental success.