FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5 , 2005
CONTACT: Sarah Williams, (850) 245-2112 

Governor, Cabinet Strengthen Protection for Florida Keys

--Acquisition of 58 acres in Florida Keys approved--

TALLAHASSEE – Recognizing the importance of preserving environmentally-sensitive land in the Florida Keys, Governor Jeb Bush and the Cabinet today approved the purchase of close to 58 acres along the tropical chain of islands. The acquisition, which includes more than 330 parcels of land and 6 acres of waterfront property, will be purchased through the State’s premier conservation program, Florida Forever.

“Acquiring land in the Florida Keys preserves wildlife habitat found nowhere else and protects water quality,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “As one of the most unique regions of Florida and home to the only barrier coral reef in the continental United States, the Keys are a priority area for conservation.”

The 58 acres are part of two conservation projects underway in the Florida Keys. The State will add 51.46 acres to the 11,640-acre Florida Keys Ecosystem Florida Forever project and 6.3 acres to the 3,630-acre Coupon Bight Key Deer Florida Forever project. Together, the projects have already placed more than 4,470 acres of valuable Keys’ land in public ownership.

The Florida Keys Ecosystem project stretches from South Key Largo to Sugarloaf Key, encompassing numerous parcels of West Indian plants and hardwood hammocks. The habitats support more than 60 rare and endangered plant and animal species, including the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbits, state-threatened white-crowned pigeon, prickly-apple and tree cactus.

The subtropical pine forests of the Coupon Bight Key Deer project provide habitat for the endangered Key deer and Caribbean plants found nowhere else in the nation. The project protects water quality and rich coral reefs within the Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, and conserves the remaining undeveloped land on Big Pine and No Name Keys.