Media Release

21 Days until Earth Day.

Driven by the County Commission's Guiding Vision, everyday is Earth Day in Alachua County.  In April, each day leading up to Earth Day (April 22), the County will be highlighting programs, services, and strategies designed to lead Alachua County into a more sustainable future. To view all "Earth Day Countdown" press releases on the County's Facebook page, click here and click on the Earth Day tab at the top of the page.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Forever (ACF) is a land conservation program approved by Alachua County voters in 2000 and re-authorized in 2008 through the Wild Spaces & Public Places referendum. To date ACF has leveraged $30 million in local investment to preserve over $80 million in land (18,218 acres), by working with many public and private partners.

For more information about ACF, click here.

"Our community's investment in land conservation represents perhaps the strongest and most durable commitment to local environmental protection." stated Chris Bird, Environmental Protection Department Director.

The ACF program has initiated a new and rewarding partnership with the Inner City Outings Program (ICO). ICO is an outreach program of the Sierra Club. ICO's mission is to provide opportunities for urban youth and adults to explore, enjoy, and protect the natural world. The partnership will bring hikers to ACF properties.

Recently, ACF, along with Sierra Club ICO volunteers, the Conservation Trust for Florida (CTF), Women for Wise Growth, and students from the UF School of Natural Resources and the Environment, arranged a hike at Levy Prairie for young women from the local group Girl Power. A second ICO hike is scheduled for April 14, 2010 with a group from Lake Forest Elementary.

For more information on the Inner City Outings, click here.

Other Upcoming ACF events:

• On April 3, 2010, students from the Society of Hispanic Engineers will work alongside ACF staff at Sweetwater Preserve. The Society has "adopted" Sweetwater.  Past activities have included removing exotics, as well as planting native ground cover plants.
• On April 5, 2010, Barr Hammock will host a hiking group from Cornerstone Academy. This group will also include home-schooled children. This hike will be led by ACF partner, Conservation Trust for Florida.

To arrange a guided tour, call ACF at 352-264-6800, or CTF at 352-466-1178.

For more information, contact Alachua County Land Conservation Manager, Ramesh Buch at 352-265-6804 or rpbuch@alachuacounty.us

40 Days of Change - For more information concerning events on and leading up to Earth Day, go to the University of Florida, Office of Sustainability's "40 Days of Change" website by clicking here.