Land Preservation

The Baranoff Oak is said to be between 300 to 500 years old. A vote would preserve the tree and the park it sits on.

The joint report from the University of Florida and 1000 Friends of Florida found a 23% increase in population and just under a foot of sea rise by 2040 could wipe out a million acres of undeveloped land.

The House and Senate began putting together budget proposals to address such issues as Everglades restoration and land acquisition.

Groups targeted proposals that could do such things as redefine sprawl, deter citizens from challenging comprehensive land-plan amendments and prevent cities and counties from regulating wetlands.

The state has agreed to preserve more than 16,000 acres of land along Horse Creek in Hardee and DeSoto counties. It's considered one of Florida's most pristine creeks.

They include toll credits for frequent drivers and measures to combat the rising cost of property insurance.

Commissioners voted to buy a 487-acre ranch, creating a continuous corridor of preserved land along the Little Manatee River.

The property tax initially ran from 1995 until 2015, and provided Polk County with over $80 million it used for preserving properties.

Among the referendums coming before voters in November: A 1% sales tax to go to transportation projects in Hillsborough County and a half-cent sales tax in Hernando County would go to roads and parks. A property tax to resurrect Polk County's program to preserve environmentally sensitive lands. And renewal of the Penny for Pasco.

A plan is being drawn up to help manage the 700 acres offshore of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Carlton Ward discusses this and other points during a first-ever Florida Wildlife Corridor Summit.

If commissioners agree to schedule the referendum and voters approve it, the tax would be levied beginning in 2023 and remain in effect for 20 years.