INDIANTOWN, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 Martin County officials gathered at Timer Powers Park on Friday to celebrate the permanent preservation of more than 2,000 acres.<\/p>\n
The $17 million project was voted upon and funded through the Florida Forever Program, with costs split between the state and Martin County, according to previous reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n The event highlighted Bar-B Ranch<\/a>, a large working property now protected through the conservation project.<\/p>\n Approved by voters, the initiative is designed to protect natural lands, wildlife habitat, and water resources while preserving the county\u2019s open spaces.<\/p>\n See also: Possums vs. pythons: How Florida\u2019s only marsupial became a weapon against invasive snakes<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMartin County residents made it clear that protecting our natural environment is a priority,\u201d said Environmental Resource Administrator John Maehl.<\/p>\n More than 1,700 acres of the Bar-B ranch were preserved through a state and county partnership aimed at safeguarding wildlife corridors and water quality near the St. Lucie River.<\/p>\n The land connects to key conservation areas and supports species including deer, bobcats, turkey, and birds of prey. Officials said the conservation easement allows the landowners to retain ownership while permanently giving up development rights.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a significant benefit to conservation easements,\u201d said County Administrator Don Donaldson<\/a>. \u201cIt allows families to continue their legacy by preserving what makes this place special, while helping us protect more land at a lower cost.\u201d<\/p>\n Donaldson said the program reflects a broader effort to limit overdevelopment. \u201cWe all have a common vision that has kept Martin County different from the sprawl of South Florida,\u201d he said, adding that the initiative is already protecting water resources, expanding access to outdoor spaces, and preserving working lands.<\/p>\n In its first year, the program has generated more than $20 million annually and helped conserve over 3,000 acres, with additional properties under consideration.<\/p>\n