Local springs get a lift with Lafayette County conservation easement

ACT

Contributor

The Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) announced on Tuesday, Aug. 11, that it has conserved 183 acres in Lafayette County through a conservation easement that limits groundwater withdrawals and nitrogen impacts to freshwater springs in the Suwannee and Santa Fe River basins.

Located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Springs Priority Focus Area for the Troy, Peacock, Lafayette Blue and Falmouth springs systems, Kerby Farm is primarily pastureland but also contains freshwater forested wetlands and ponds. These areas support numerous wading birds and aquatic species as well as raptors and other bird species. Swallow-tailed Kites and Mississippi Kites frequent the property as a feeding ground and a resting spot, often seen diving low to skim over the water’s surface for a cool drink. Other species that frequent the property include river otters, white-tailed deer and turkeys.

Funding from the Suwannee River Water Management District’s Accelerating Suwannee Fund was utilized to protect Kerby Farm in perpetuity. ACT will hold the conservation easement on the farm.

“This is the first of what we hope is many conservation easements held by ACT in Lafayette County,” stated Tom Kay, ACT Executive Director. “The Kerbys were a wonderful couple to work with during this process. It is an honor to have their trust in us to ensure that their family farm keeps its rural character, protects our freshwater springs, and continues contributing to Florida’s agricultural economy.”

Historically, the property served several functions: first as a family farm producing corn, cotton and peanuts, and later as both a beef and a dairy farm. The Kerby Farm property is now permanently protected as low-impact grazing lands supporting a sustainable cow-calf operation.

"Our goal has been to preserve this property's natural beauty and wildlife," said landowner Everett Kerby, for his wife, Sue, and himself. "It's rewarding to see it protected through this conservation easement, and we are grateful to ACT for their guidance throughout the process."

For more information about this or related projects, contact ACT via its website, email [email protected], or call 352-373-1078.