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GAINESVILLE (Fla.) -The county commissioners of Alachua agree that purchasing conservation lands is a key component of the county’s five-year environmental protection plan.
Charlie Houder, Director of the land conservation office said that 31% of Florida’s state is currently protected. The previous 21% was at 21%. We have the largest area under conservation easement in Florida.
Conservation comes at a price. Charlie Houder indicated that 46,000 acres more are needed to reach 30%. The county plays a role in developing a climate action plan. However, conservation lands cost $31 an acre to maintain. The area contains more than 22,000 acres.
RELATED STORY : Alachua County Commissioners approve budget to fund climate action plan
Staff will be able to map out the costs of conservation initiatives based on ongoing climate vulnerability analysis results. But it goes beyond that.
Regardless of this, I think it will give us a base to be able make better policies. Itll also tie into I think really nicely into our vulnerability assessment that we were doing about food security and development pressure and resilience and strategic planning for the county, said Commissioner Anna Prizzia.
A unanimous motion was passed that directed staff to draft a letter asking the legislature for up to 5% of amendment one state funds to county land acquisition and maintenance.
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