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Commission votes to protect 100 Acre Hollows under EEL program after residents document extensive wildlife
Summary
The Brevard County commission unanimously approved adding the 100 Acre Hollows property to the county's Environmentally Endangered Lands program after residents and volunteers described restored habitat and documented hundreds of active gopher tortoise burrows.
The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to preserve the 100 Acre Hollows property under the county's EEL (Environmentally Endangered Lands) program.
Supporters and volunteers described the property as a recovering prairie/pine savanna that hosts large numbers of native species. Tom Unrath, who identified himself as president of the board that helps manage the site, thanked the board for the action and noted the area's role in wildlife protection and community education. Multiple public speakers documented the site's wildlife, including repeated statements in the record that recent surveys found between 400 and 540 active gopher tortoise burrows.
Why it matters: Supporters said the property is one of the few remaining contiguous green spaces in the area, serves as habitat for endangered or at-risk species and provides nature-education opportunities for students and volunteers. Commissioners praised the local volunteers who steward the property and said the acquisition or protection decision would preserve habitat and reduce future development pressure.
What the board did: After public testimony and a commissioner motion and second, the board voted "aye" and the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.
Next steps: The property will be managed within the county EEL program; staff will coordinate stewardship and public-access plans under existing EEL procedures.
