Closer to home, an unnamed philanthropist purchased the 2,909-acre site north of Coleman Landing on Lake Kissimmee that was once proposed for a golf resort. The new owner reportedly intends to sell the development rights via a perpetual conservation easement.
Voters in Volusia and Manatee counties approved measures to tax themselves to preserve remaining environmental sites.
Voters in Orange County overwhelmingly approved measures that will confer rights to the Wekiva River and other local water bodies to protect them from pollution and passed a measure aimed and thwarting plans to build a new toll road through part of a popular nature park called Split Oak Forest.