Seminole County eyes natural lands for conservation, including once-imperiled Hi-Oaks Ranch – Orlando Sentinel

Report on Proposed Land Acquisitions for Conservation in Seminole County and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

An advisory committee in Seminole County has submitted a prioritized list of ten environmentally sensitive properties for potential acquisition under the Seminole Forever land conservation program. This report analyzes these recommendations, with a significant emphasis on their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

The Seminole Forever Program: A Framework for Sustainability

Launched in 2023, the Seminole Forever program is a local initiative designed to protect open spaces and natural habitats from development. The program’s objectives are in direct support of multiple SDGs by aiming to:

• Protect Terrestrial Ecosystems (SDG 15): Safeguard biodiversity and halt land degradation by acquiring and conserving critical habitats.
• Promote Sustainable Communities (SDG 11): Mitigate urban sprawl and protect the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
• Ensure Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Provide public access to natural areas for passive recreation, such as hiking and canoeing, which promotes physical and mental well-being.

The program is funded by an annual allocation of 6% of the county’s non-ad-valorem revenues, which amounted to approximately $4 million this year. The total fund balance currently stands at over $12.3 million.

Priority Properties and Contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land

The Acquisition and Restoration Committee (ARC) evaluated properties based on criteria that directly reflect the targets of SDG 15, such as biodiversity, habitat integrity, and vulnerability to development. The acquisition of these lands would make a direct contribution to Target 15.1, which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, and Target 15.5, which aims to halt biodiversity loss.

The top-ranked properties recommended for purchase are:

1. Hi-Oaks Ranch (670 acres): This property scored highest due to its pristine condition and high ecological value. Its preservation would protect a significant habitat for diverse wildlife, including alligators, gopher tortoises, deer, and bobcats, directly supporting the goal of halting biodiversity loss. Its location along the Econlockhatchee River makes it a vital part of a larger, continuous network of conservation lands.
2. Lee Ranch (360 acres): A large tract in the county’s southeast corner.
3. Lake Monroe Property (204 acres): An area of shoreline near downtown Sanford.
4. Lessard Property (85 acres): Land situated near Mullet Lake.
5. Black Bear Wilderness Area Addition (8 acres): A small but strategic parcel adjacent to an existing protected area.

Broader Impacts on Sustainable Development

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The proposed acquisition of Hi-Oaks Ranch is particularly critical for achieving SDG 11. The property was previously targeted for a large-scale mixed-use development, River Cross, which was rejected in 2018. By conserving this land, the county can:

• Combat Urban Sprawl: The preservation of Hi-Oaks Ranch would create a natural barrier against sprawling development from neighboring Orange County, contributing to more sustainable urban planning (Target 11.3).
• Protect Natural Heritage: The action protects a significant area of natural landscape, safeguarding the region’s environmental heritage for future generations (Target 11.4).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The ARC’s selection criteria include the presence of important water resources. The protection of properties like Hi-Oaks Ranch along the Econlockhatchee River and the 204 acres along Lake Monroe directly supports SDG 6, specifically Target 6.6, which aims to protect and restore water-related ecosystems. Conserving these lands helps maintain water quality, prevents pollution from runoff, and preserves the health of vital riverine and lake ecosystems.

Funding and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The successful acquisition of high-cost properties like Hi-Oaks Ranch, with an asking price of $35 million, will likely require multi-stakeholder collaboration, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The county’s fund of $12.3 million is insufficient for this purchase alone. Therefore, achieving this conservation objective will depend on forming effective partnerships between local, state, and potentially other entities.

• Local-State Collaboration: The county may seek joint funding with the state’s Florida Forever program, a partnership model that has been used successfully for other large acquisitions, such as the Yarborough Ranch.
• Diverse Funding Sources: Seminole County can also leverage funds from other sources, including the Florida Communities Trust Fund and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

This collaborative approach demonstrates a commitment to Target 17.17, which encourages effective public and public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire “Seminole Forever” program is focused on purchasing and conserving environmentally sensitive properties to protect terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. The article highlights the preservation of “pristine acres,” a “diversity of wildlife — including alligators, gopher tortoises, deer and bobcats,” and the creation of a “continuous network of conservation lands.”

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article addresses this goal by discussing the protection of open areas from “sprawling developments” and a “controversial megadevelopment.” This represents a form of sustainable urban planning. Furthermore, the program aims to provide residents with public green spaces for passive recreation like hiking, camping, and canoeing, which is a key aspect of creating sustainable and livable communities.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The initiative is linked to this goal through its focus on protecting land that contains or is adjacent to important water resources. The article mentions properties along the Econlockhatchee River, Lake Monroe, and Mullet Lake. Conserving these lands helps protect water-related ecosystems, which is crucial for maintaining water quality and availability.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  This goal is demonstrated through the collaborative funding and implementation of the conservation program. The article describes how Seminole County’s program is funded by county revenues but can also receive funding from state sources like “Florida Forever.” The potential joint purchase of the Hi-Oaks Ranch by the county and the state is a clear example of a public-public partnership to achieve a common sustainability goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…”

  The “Seminole Forever” program directly works towards this target by purchasing land like the 670-acre Hi-Oaks Ranch specifically for conservation to protect its “extremely high” ecological value and its connection to the Econlockhatchee River ecosystem.

• Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.”

  The article mentions that the properties are ranked based on the “diversity of species and habitat.” The presence of wildlife such as gopher tortoises, a protected species in Florida, on the Hi-Oaks Ranch shows that the program’s actions contribute directly to protecting habitats and halting biodiversity loss.

• Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…”

  The program’s stated purpose is to “provide residents with places to hike, camp or paddle a canoe.” The purchase of properties like the Hi-Oaks Ranch, which is across the river from the public Econ River Wilderness Area, aims to expand accessible green and public spaces for recreation.

• Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.”

  The advisory committee’s criteria for ranking properties include “the existence of important water resources.” The specific mention of properties along the Econlockhatchee River, Lake Monroe, and Mullet Lake demonstrates a clear effort to protect these vital water-related ecosystems from development.

• Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…”

  The article details a multi-level partnership. The county program (“Seminole Forever”) partners with the state program (“Florida Forever”) and landowners (like the Clayton family) to achieve conservation. The article explicitly states that purchasing the Hi-Oaks Ranch could be done “in conjunction with the state,” showcasing a public-public partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator related to 15.1.1 (Forest area as a proportion of total land area):

  The article provides specific quantitative data on the amount of land being considered for or already under conservation. This includes the “670 pristine acres” of Hi-Oaks Ranch, the “360-acre Lee Ranch,” and the “nearly 1 million acres of land” purchased by the Florida Forever program since 2001. These acreage figures serve as a direct indicator of the proportion of land area being protected.

• Indicator related to 11.7.1 (Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use):

  The number of acres acquired for “passive recreation” is a direct measure of progress. The article lists several properties and their sizes (e.g., 8 acres adjacent to the Black Bear Wilderness Area) that would add to the total open space available for public use.

• Indicator related to 17.17.1 (Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships):

  The article mentions specific financial figures that can be used as indicators. This includes the county allocating “$4 million this year alone” to the fund, the fund’s total balance of “$12.3 million,” and the “$35 million” asking price for the Hi-Oaks Ranch, which necessitates partnership funding. These monetary values quantify the financial commitment to the conservation partnerships.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: orlandosentinel.com