During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the potential expansion of the Piney Island Park project, with local resident Forrest Tilly expressing support for the initiative. Tilly, who owns property adjacent to the proposed park area, indicated his willingness to negotiate the sale of his land to the county in the future. He sought clarification on the nomination process for property inclusion in the project, which officials confirmed requires property owners to submit an application.

Mark Greig from the North Florida Land Trust provided updates on several ongoing projects, including the Lofton Creek project, which recently received unanimous approval from the Yulee Methodist Church for a letter of intent. This approval will allow the project to move forward towards contract drafting. Greig also reported progress on negotiations with Rayonier regarding another parcel and discussed the St. Mary's River Ranch Farm, which is currently in the process of finalizing a conservation easement.

The meeting highlighted the importance of the Jones Parcel, identified by Greig as a keystone property crucial for the success of future acquisitions in the area. However, negotiations for this parcel are currently stalled due to valuation disagreements. The county attorney's office is nearing completion of a contract for the Twentire parcel, which is expected to be finalized soon.

Overall, the meeting underscored the collaborative efforts between local residents and government entities to enhance community resources while navigating the complexities of property negotiations and conservation efforts.