FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2005
CONTACT: Sarah Williams, (850) 245-2112

17,302 Acres Added to Northwest Florida Greenway

--Governor and Cabinet’s vote protects wildlife, aids military mission --

TALLAHASSEE — Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet today voted to add 17,302 acres to the Northwest Florida Greenway. An initiative to conserve an area roughly 10 miles wide by 100 miles long stretching from Gulf and Franklin counties to Eglin Air Force Base, the public-private Greenway partnership is uniting the missions of national defense and environmental protection.

“Preserving this landscape protects habitat for wildlife and contributes to the nation’s military mission,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “This unique collaborative effort is a testament to the ability of governments and non-profit organizations to join forces and provide long-term protection for Florida’s environment.”

Established in November 2003, the Northwest Florida Greenway creates a conservation corridor spanning six counties and following the flight path of military aircraft on training and testing exercises from the Apalachicola National Forest and the Gulf Coast to Eglin Air Force Base. Home to five U.S. Air Force and Navy installations, the region is also a known biological "hot spot" for wildlife and native flora supporting a diversity of ecologically sensitive natural communities, such as black bear habitat, estuarine tidal marshes and floodplain swamps.

“A corridor of open space is the best way to protect wildlife and preserve nature,” said Vicki Tschinkel, The Nature Conservancy’s Florida director. “Generations to come will appreciate - perhaps more than we - the importance of this expansive and rich wilderness.”

The 16,750-acre conservation easement acquisition in Walton County comes through a $1 million commitment by the Department of Defense -- part of a Congressional authority allowing armed forces to partner with states and nonprofit organizations to reduce encroachment on military operations by preserving habitat. Florida is the first in the nation to use the new authority. In addition to the 16,750-acre easement, the landowner, M.C. Davis, also donated a conservation easement on more than 500 adjacent acres.

“The Northwest Florida Greenway is an exceptional partnership that will benefit our community, the great State of Florida and the Nation,” said Eglin Air Force Base Weapons Program Executive Officer and commander of the Air Armament Center Major General Robert W. Chedister. “We are happy about our progress to date and we are excited about the future potential of this initiative.”

MC Davis, a real estate investor and conservationist, purchased nearly 60,000 acres in Walton County in 2002 to protect an important corridor connecting hundreds of thousands of acres of land already in conservation. In addition to today’s sale and donation, he donated more than 1,500 acres of Walton County land to the State as a perpetual conservation easement last December.

The Northwest Florida Greenway is a partnership between the Department of Defense, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and The Nature Conservancy. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Okaloosa County also joined the effort last summer.

Along with the 17,302 acres added today, the Greenway partnership has already conserved more than 50,000 acres. Across the state, Florida is acquiring land around military bases through Florida Forever, the 10-year, $3 billion land conservation program established by Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature. The State has invested $719 million to acquire nearly one-half million acres of land buffering military installations across Florida, protecting natural resources and benefiting military operations.

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