Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY - In July, Alachua County Forever received $6.1 million from Florida Communities Trust (FCT) for the 2,309-acre Barr Hammock Ledwith Prairie continuing the long and successful partnership between the County and the State. Barr Hammock was purchased from Rayonier Timberlands in September 2006 for just over $10 million. The County and the Conservation Trust for Florida (CTF) jointly applied to FCT to reimburse the County for 60% of that cost. Last fall, FCT awarded the grant to the County and in mid July, the County received the check. 

For more information on Barr Hammock, go to the Barr Hammock fact sheet, and the photo gallery for photos taken last winter on the property. County staff is implementing the Barr Hammock management plan with help from CTF and community resources.

Since 2000, the Alachua County Forever Program has leveraged $18 million in local taxes with over $36 million in outside funds to acquire and manage the County's conservation portfolio. The County and its partners have submitted applications to FCT for 2007 totaling almost $6 million, continuing the pledge the County made to the voters to leverage their local investment. FCT should decide on those grants this fall. For more information, please call Ramesh Buch, Land Conservation Manager for the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department at (352) 264-6800.

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