After a slightly uncertain future, Fish Island in St. Augustine has been saved thanks to funds by the Florida Forever program.
On Thursday, the Florida Cabinet approved a contract negotiated by the North Florida Land Trust which would allow Fish Island to be purchased.
The purchase of Fish Island saves it from construction and development. The lands 57-acre natural habitat will continue to be preserved as a "healthy maritime hammock forest."
The land will be sold for $6.5 million and will be managed by the City of St Augustine.
Preservation of the land will avoid water quality impacts to the Matanzas River and will preserve the historic property which was the first orange grove in Florida that gave birth to the citrus industry in the 1700s.
North Florida Land Trust President, Jim McCarthy, was ecstatic about the news that Fish Island will continue to be preserved.
“We are so pleased that the Cabinet has agreed to move forward to purchase this property with Florida Forever funds and even more pleased that Fish Island will be preserved,” McCarthy said. “We are honored to have Vice Mayor Freeman by our side and want to also thank Senator Rob Bradley, who had planned to be there, but a change in meeting time led to a scheduling conflict. Without his leadership to fund Florida Forever in 2018, this project would not have been possible. It was also great to partner with the Division of State Lands at DEP on this significant acquisition.”
The North Florida Land Trust is still accepting donations to help with the preservation of the property and to help pay staff. Click here to make a donation.