Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Conservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conservation group seeks to plug critical wildlife corridor gap in Ridge Manor; county staff invited to partner
Summary
Putnam Land Conservancy outlined a Florida Forever project to protect a corridor in Ridge Manor linking Withlacoochee State Forest parcels. The proposal targets vacant, flood‑prone lots and would rely on willing‑seller acquisitions and eventual state acquisition; staff said the project could help flood resilience and passive recreation.
A conservation nonprofit asked the board to support a Ridge Manor project being considered for the state27s Florida Forever program that would protect a wildlife corridor between tracts of the Withlacoochee State Forest.
Joanna Riley Brown of Putnam Land Conservancy described a target pathway where many small, vacant, flood‑prone lots and wetlands create an opportunity to assemble a contiguous protected corridor. She said the proposed work would initially involve buying individual willing‑seller lots, aggregating them into larger tracts, and transferring those tracts to the state when eligible for acquisition funds.
Brown said protecting the corridor could enhance flood resilience, create passive‑recreation green space and further Hernando County27s comprehensive‑plan goals on wildlife movement and habitat protection. Commissioners and staff discussed whether county‑owned parcels might be counted toward the corridor and how deed restrictions or future ownership transfers would affect the tax rolls and local amenities. Brown and the county agreed to continue coordination, and the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation indicated a “mind‑the‑gaps” workshop would be scheduled to include counties and stakeholders.
Staff noted that parcels in the project area include wetlands and 100‑year floodplain that have limited development value, and that strategic acquisitions could support county flood‑management and open‑space goals.
