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County presents Ridge to River conservation planning effort, schedules Sebring workshop Oct. 28
Summary
Highlands County staff and partners described a community-based conservation planning study that could lead to ballot language in 2026; workshops for municipal and county residents will be held in Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid in late October and an online component will collect input.
Sam Erickson, a natural resources specialist for Highlands County, introduced the Ridge to River conservation planning study at the Sebring City Council meeting on Oct. 21.
Erickson said the county contracted with the North Florida Land Trust to develop a community-based conservation program and is considering placing ballot language on the 2026 ballot if residents support it. The county will hold in-person workshops to gather local priorities: Sebring’s workshop is set for Oct. 28, 6–7:30 p.m., in the county commissioners’ chambers; Avon Park’s on Oct. 29; and Lake Placid’s on Oct. 30. An online presentation and polling will run for about two weeks to include seasonal residents.
Erickson described workshop exercises that will ask residents to rank conservation values on maps — for example prioritizing surface water quality, vulnerable habitats or at-risk farms and ranch lands. He said the county’s preliminary polling and expert input indicate ballot language would likely focus on surface-water quality, most vulnerable habitats and protection of existing farms and ranch lands from development.
Erickson emphasized the program is voluntary: property owners would only participate if they apply and agree. He also said the county’s total land coverage including the Avon Park Air Force Range is about 32 percent conserved; excluding the range, the county is approximately 25 percent conserved, “a little under state average.” He noted Department of Defense stakeholders advised removing the Air Force range from conservation acreage calculations because military needs could change.
Why it matters: If voters approve a conservation program and ballot language developed from community input, the county could fund land acquisition or easement purchases to protect water quality and vulnerable habitats. The approach relies on willing sellers and prioritization guided by local input.
What’s next: County staff will host the municipal workshops and collect online polling; community input will be used to craft ballot language for 2026 if the process advances.
Direct quote: “The community input at these workshops are critical because we will be asking the residents to essentially create the conservation program themselves,” Sam Erickson said.
