A Putnam County landowner has given up development rights on more than a square mile of untouched property that helps replenish the Floridan aquifer inside a vast wildlife corridor.
The North Florida Land Trust said Thursday a representative of Welaka Woods LLC donated a conservation easement on 716 acres east of Welaka State Forest and Little Lke George.
“Keeping this piece of land in its natural state is so important for many conservation reasons including the protection of wildlife and the protection of the water quality and water supply,” the trust’s president, Jim McCarthy, said in a release Thursday about the donation. “… Welaka Woods is in a significant recharge area for the Floridan aquifer which is a vital drinking water source.”
716 acres donated to Land Trust in critical O2O wildlife corridor
Property in Putnam County is largest easement donated to nonprofit in corridor
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Welaka Woods property donated to North Florida Land Trust (Courtesy of North Florida Land Trust)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 700 acres of Welaka Woods property has been donated to the North Florida Land Trust. The 716-acre conservation easement is in the critical Ocala to Osceola wildlife corridor.
The property is located between Welaka State Forest and Lake George Conservation Area and is the largest conservation easement the nonprofit has received in the O2O corridor.
The donation was made by Welaka Woods, LLC.
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A 716 acre conservation easement in Putnam County has been donated to the North Florida Land Trust, the largest conservation easement donation the nonprofit has received within the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor.
The property, known as Welaka Woods, was donated by Welaka Woods, LLC, and is located between Welaka State Forest and the Lake George Conservation Area.
“Keeping this piece of land in its natural state is so important for many conservation reasons, including the protection of wildlife and the protection of the water quality and water supply for the citizens of Florida,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT. “Welaka Woods is in a significant recharge area for the Floridan aquifer which is a vital drinking water source. It also has a variety of habitats that can host many species considered threatened or endangered. We thank the donor for this donation and for their passionate commitment to conservation.”