FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2002
 

State Acquires Rare Piece of Florida

-- Purchase of unique habitat protects pitcher plant, safeguards military installation --

PENSACOLA - Another piece of Florida was forever preserved today as Governor Jeb Bush and Cabinet members unanimously approved the latest addition to the Perdido Pitcher Plant Prairie. Today’s Florida Forever purchase offers added protection to Perdido Bay while safeguarding Naval Air Station Pensacola from the threat of encroachment.

“This significant purchase merges our mission of environmental protection with that of national defense,” said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary David B. Struhs. “When one single project protects water quality and rare flora, and at the same time upholds the critical mission of Florida’s military installations, it’s a win for all taxpayers.”

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, DEP has invested close to $24 million to acquire half of the 7,661-acre project adjacent to NAS Pensacola. While providing recreational opportunity, the purchase of an additional 186 acres protects two and a half miles of Perdido Bay from development and maintains the viability of naval aviation training essential to NAS Pensacola.

Located west of Pensacola, Perdido Pitcher Plant Prairie supports one of the largest stands of white-top pitcher plants in Florida. The rare and carnivorous white-top pitcher plant is unique to the Gulf Coast and found only between the Apalachicola and Mississippi Rivers. Almost 100 other rare plants and animals depend on the unusual wet prairie habitat, including the alligator snapping turtle, sweet pitcher plant and Chapman’s butterwort.

Today’s vote brings state ownership of the prairie to 3,396 acres. DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks will manage the property as part of the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park

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