The Cone Ranch Advisory Committee, of which I am a member, was asked to listen to the proposal by Florida Conservation & Environmental Group and recommend to the Hillsborough County Commission the best way to preserve and protect Cone Ranch. ...more

November 6, 2009

There were a few who didn't want to get their feet muddy, but most of the 19 youngsters from Riverview's Center Academy were happy to plunge into a restoration project at Newman Branch Creek near the Big Bend Power Station on May 12. ...more

May 20, 2009

With development rapidly encroaching upon rural parts of Florida, the need to maintain green space has resulted in unprecedented purchases of land by governmental agencies and environmental advocacy groups. The resulting costs to taxpayers for acquisitions and management were onerous in good economic times, but, given today's financial environment, have become cost prohibitive. During the past several years there has been increasing pressure to find creative, innovative and cost effective ways to protect and preserve Florida's natural habitats. The most popular and widely accepted method is the use of conservation easements. ...more

January 27, 2009

County commissioners Tuesday agreed to spend $2.55 million to preserve Morsani Ranch in northwestern Pasco County. ...more

October 22, 2008

(AP) Gulf County Commissioner Billy Traylor says he is supporting Amendment 4 on the Nov. 4 ballot because he prefers the tiny fishing villages and pine tree farms of his rural county to the widespread development of South Florida. ...more

October 19, 2008

The Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission has come up with a simple move that could cut taxes, control growth, sustain agriculture and protect open lands all at once. ...more

February 11, 2008

And Now Here's 'Amendment 1A' Now that Amendment 1 has passed, here is "Amendment 1A" for the November ballot. ...more

February 10, 2008

More than 40 environmental land managers, activists, public officials and others from the Tampa Bay area gathered Wednesday at Crystal Springs Preserve in southeast Pasco to discuss the future of the state's land preservation and conversation program, Florida Forever, which is to expire in 2010. ...more

November 16, 2007