Volusia Forever Information:
History of the program:
75.6% of voters voted to tax themselves, renewing the program in 2020 for land conservation. The first time was in 2000, when it passed by 61%. This is a willing seller's program. No one takes anyone's land. It is a twenty-year program collecting the tax. Land is purchased until the funds run out. No lands have been sold in the twenty-five-year history of the program. Partnerships have been utilized for twenty-five years.
How does it work:
Fee simple purchases involve environmentally sensitive land that meets specific criteria. Once acquired, this land is maintained by Volusia County. It is open to the public for various activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, picnicking, and camping.
Farms are protected by conservation easements. These areas are not open to the public, as they are privately owned, but they remain protected. A conservation easement comes with specific requirements that vary based on the land and farm management plan. For example, the landowner may agree to grow timber, cultivate crops, raise cattle, or protect water sources such as wells and aquifers, as well as recharge areas. Additionally, farm easements are often intended to last for multiple generations.
Why does the program need protecting:
The name Volusia Forever implies land is in perpetuity forever. We want perpetuity to be upheld and no lands to be sold.
Partnerships play a crucial role in our efforts to conserve land. Examples of our partners include the USDA, the Florida Forever program (the state's conservation initiative), St. Johns Water Management, and various local cities. These partnerships help us extend our Volusia Forever funds and enable us to purchase the most environmentally sensitive land possible.
Each partner comes with specific requirements. For instance, if a partner owns a farm, they are expected to engage in agricultural activities. Similarly, St. Johns Water Management expects water protection measures to be included in our agreements. These guidelines are practical and straightforward, arising from the need for accountability among partners who offer matching funds to the Volusia County land conservation program. All partners have certain stipulations that must be followed when providing their funds.
Please email the Volusia County Council and ask them to support partnerships and perpetuity, the twenty-five-year Volusia Forever land conservation tradition.
Jeff Brower jbrower@volusia.org Matt Reinhart mreinhart@volusia.org
Troy Kent tkent@volusia.org Jake Johansson jjohansson@volusia.org
David Santiago dsantiago@volusia.org Don Dempsey ddempsey@volusia.org
Danny Robins drobins@volusia.org George Recktenwald grecktenwald@volusia.org
ReGrow the Loop
We are partners with Volusia County in the ReGrow the Loop initiative, supporting the planting of native trees and plants. We are hosting one workshop and one field trip in 2026.
Suzanne Scheiber is a knowledgeable and experienced public speaker specializing in land conservation. We partner with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and Dream Green Volusia advocates for land conservation funding in Tallahassee.
DEFEND THE LOOP
The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is a one-of-a-kind State Scenic Highway and American Scenic Byway, located in Volusia County Florida, worthy of environmental advocacy. Through the Defend the Loop Campaign, public engagement is necessary long term to protect what locals love. Please sign our petition to voice your support for land conservation in Volusia County. We can’t do it without you.