Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program

HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Flagler County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands acquisition program was approved through a county-wide referendum in 1988.

In 2008 Flagler County residents voted to extended the program through 2028.

The program funds are collected from ad-valorem (property) taxes. The voter-approved approved 0.25 milage rate generates approximately $2 million dollars per year.

Whenever possible, Flagler County partners with federal, state, local, or non-governmental organizations  to fund conservation projects. To date the County has spent approximately $27 million from ESL funds and $33.5 million from outside funding sources.

In recognition of the program’s recent successes in the acquisition, protection and management of environmentally sensitive lands, the  Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council awarded Flagler County’s the 2026 Award for Excellence in Environmental Stewardship. 

 

NOTABLE ACQUISITIONS

  • Bing’s Landing 1989 – 7-acres, $1 million
  • Haw Creek Preserve – 1990, 1,015-acres, $1.1 million
  • Princess Place, 1993, 1,500-acres, $1.8 million
  • Shell Bluff – 2005 90-acres, $1 million
  • Long’s Landing – 2008, 9-acres, $1.4 million
  • Bay Drive Park – 2009, 13-acres, $5.9 million
  • Bulow Park – 2009, 97-acres, $2.5 million
  • Pellicer Flats – 2010, 980-acres, $3.25 million
  • Kelly Parcel – 2024, 25-acres, $490,000
  • Three Creeks Preserve (Raydient) – 2025, 307-acres, $3 million
  • Palm Coast Intracoastal Park (Marlow) – 2025, 5-acres, $1.8-million

 

For a  complete list of ESL acquisitions to date, including purchase price, acreage and funding sources is included in  (link to document(PDF, 78KB) ).

An interactive map of the ESL acquisitions can be accessed here (link to map).

 

ACQUISITIONS PROCESS

 

Environmentally Sensitive Land applications are evaluated by the Lands Acquisition Committee, which is composed of seven county residents with a diverse array of knowledge and experience in conservation and real estate that is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.

Acquisitions are evaluated based on the established primary and secondary program objectives:

Primary Program Objectives:

  1. Preserve wildlife habitats and protect the health and diversity of wildlife, especially threatened and endangered species of plants and animals.
  2. Promote improved water quality and protect the Floridian aquifer and preserve water recharge areas.
  3. Preserve rare natural communities and wildlife habitats/ecosystems.
  4. Preserve unique cultural, historic, scenic and significant geologic features.
  5. Promote economic development through the creation of nature tourism property, infrastructure, and opportunities.
  6. Promote appropriate public use and enjoyment of acquired lands including public access to water bodies for recreation activities that are consistent with ESL stewardship principles.

 

To be eligible for acquisition, a property must meet at least three of the program primary objectives.

 

Secondary Program Objectives:

 

  1. Preserve green space as passive recreation in close proximity to development to provide refuge for residents, visitors, and wildlife, in coordination with the Land Development code and Comprehensive Plan where possible.
  2. Reduce capital acquisition and land management costs by partnering with other agencies.
  3. Enhance existing recreation facilities and natural reserve areas throughout the County by acquiring adjoining properties.
  4. Establish wildlife corridors throughout the county promoting wildlife protection, habitat preservation and migration, in coordination with the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan where possible.
  5. Establish recreational trail corridors throughout the County promoting alternative transportation modes, nature viewing, and fitness/exercise recreation opportunities.
  6. Restore damaged habitats that can have substantial positive environmental impacts with restoration. Higher weight will be given if this action can produce a tangible financial return to offset purchase or land management costs.

 

If a project or acquisition is eligible, the Land Acquisition Committee makes recommendations as to whether a property should be included in the county’s high-priority acquisition list (A List) or the future acquisition list (B List).  The committee’s recommendation is approved or rejected by the Board of County Commissioners.

Once a purchase price for a property is agreed upon, both the Land Acquisition Committee and the Board of County Commissioners review and approve the final purchase of the property.

For additional details on the land acquisition process, please see the attached graphic (link to document) and Environmentally Sensitive Lands Acquisition Manual (link to document(PDF, 12MB) ).

For additional information regarding Flagler County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program, please email Erick Revuelta (erevuelta@flaglercounty.gov).

Back to top