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Florida Communities Trust

Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program

Introduction

Florida Communities Trust's Parks and Open Space Florida Forever grant program is a state land acquisition grant program that provides funding to local governments and eligible non-profit environmental organizations for acquisition of community-based parks, open space and greenways that further outdoor recreation and natural resource protection needs identified in local government comprehensive plans. For detailed information about the grant application, appraisal, and acquisition processes, as well as other information, please see the navigation links on the right.

The preservation of green space, including parks, open space, beaches and natural areas, is an important factor in creating livable communities. In 1989, the Florida Communities Trust was created to help local governments meet this need. For the first ten years, the Trust was funded through the Preservation 2000 bond program, which was dedicated to the purchase of sensitive lands throughout the state. In 1999, the Florida Legislature approved Florida Forever as the successor program to Preservation 2000 and the Trust continues to assist communities to acquire land for conservation and recreation. Matching and full grants for land acquisition projects are provided to communities through an annual competitive application cycle.

Florida Communities Trust provides local governments the opportunity to leverage local dollars with state dollars, optimizing conservation benefits. Florida Communities Trust encourages and fosters both public and public-private partnerships in land acquisition initiatives.

Quick Facts about the Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program

• Makes approximately $63 million available to eligible applicants each year (unless otherwise allocated by the legislature)
• Provides incentives for local governments to protect locally significant land
• Preserves natural resource lands
• Furthers local comprehensive plan objectives
• Resolves land use conflicts
• Provides additional waterfront access
• Boosts downtown revitalization
• As of December 30, 2009:
  • More than 85,000 acres have been preserved statewide
  • The Trust has provided nearly $785 million of the total $1.4 billion used to acquire these lands
  • Local government partners have provided a match of more than $677 million
  • In conjunction with the other state agencies that receive funding through the land preservation bond program, more than one million acres have been acquired for public use and enjoyment
  • See more detailed and historical information: Florida Forever Projects (2001-2008)

Florida Forever

The Florida Forever Act provides for land acquisition to protect environmentally significant lands, to protect ground and surface water, to provide high quality recreational opportunities in urban areas, and to help local governments implement their comprehensive plans. Florida Communities Trust is one of several state agencies that receive money from the Florida Forever Program. Our other partner agencies in land acquisition are the following (external websites open in a new window):

• Water Management Districts:
  • St. Johns River
  • Southwest Florida
  • Suwannee River
  • South Florida
  • Northwest Florida
• Florida State Parks, Department of Environmental Protection
• Division of State Lands, Department of Environmental Protection
• Office of Greenways and Trails, Department of Environmental Protection
• Division of Forestry, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

News

• Please visit our News and Announcements page.