December 18, 2025 – Flagler County was notified on Monday that it is the recipient of an Annual Regional Awards for Excellence from the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC). The honor was awarded for “Environmental Stewardship” because of the county’s recent – and in progress – purchases through its Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) program.
“Northeast Florida is being shaped by visionary, transformational work that is uplifting communities and creating lasting impact across the region,” said Beth Payne, Chief Executive Officer of NEFRC. “It is truly inspiring to celebrate the projects and initiatives driving this progress, and we look forward to honoring these remarkable achievements at the Awards Ceremony on January 8.”
Flagler County in October 2025 closed on its fourth Environmentally Sensitive Land (ESL) purchase within a year. This latest purchase is a 5.15-acre parcel to the west of the Hammock Dunes Bridge for the City of Palm Coast, giving it room to expand its Linear Park to the north.
More than half the money spent since 1988 within Flagler County on environmentally sensitive lands has been spent within the municipalities, or within state parks. Within the City of Palm Coast, ESL funds contributed to the purchase of Linear Park, Long’s Landing, and Mulberry Branch.
Other recent completed purchases within the calendar year include:
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25 acres adjacent to Princess Place Preserve, which closed for $700,000 (more than half from ESL funds) in March 2024.
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27.5 acres at Bull Creek to expand conservation and recreation, which closed for about $1.15 million on March 31, 2025.
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307 acres in Pringle Forest along Pellicer Creek was purchased for $3 million on June 9, 2025. It was funded by state appropriation to protect critical wetlands and wildlife habitat.
Flagler County has under contract to purchase 3,819 acres – a collection of 10 adjacent parcels located to the north of Daytona North and south of Potatoville Road – referred to as the “Peterson property,” for a purchase price of $6.11 million. It will be part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor for long-term conservation.
Additionally, the county is progressing towards the purchase of 35 acres in Marineland for preservation. No purchase price has been set.
As of December 15, the Board of County Commissioners voted to ratify the application process seeking conservation funds from Florida Forever to buy 153 acres to protect the headwaters of Bulow Creek.
“Receiving an award like this serves as testament to the efforts made to shape a vibrant and interconnected community, where collaboration is not just a concept but a way of life,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said. “Through Environmentally Sensitive Lands purchases, residents receive real and lasting benefits that include reduced flooding, cleaner water through natural runoff filtration, preservation of open space and community character, access to parks and trails, and permanent land protection that ensures future generations can continue to enjoy the natural beauty of Flagler County.”
In 1988, Flagler County voters approved an ad valorem tax to acquire environmentally sensitive lands, recreation areas, and water protection areas. The catalyst for this action was the desire to preserve and protect for public benefit Princess Place Preserve, a site of significant historical and ecological importance.
The Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (LAC) was formed in 1989 to advise the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners about potential purchases.
However, the first purchase by this program was Bings Landing Park, which was acquired in 1989. Princess Place Preserve was purchased in phases in 1993 and in 1996.
In 1998, the Board of County Commissioners decided to refinance the original bond and obtain additional funds – supported by a debt service millage – netting the county an additional $1.52 million for land acquisition.
In 2002, more than 74% of voters reaffirmed their support for the ESL program by passing a referendum for the issuance of Environmentally Sensitive Lands bonds. This referendum authorized the county to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $6.7 million payable from annual ad valorem taxes levied at a rate not exceeding 0.163 mill for a term not exceeding 14 years.
A 2008 referendum was also approved by voters to extend the program for an additional 20 years. The referendum established a flat 0.25 millage levy that is not required to be bonded. It provided the flexibility to finance up to $40 million.
This new program also included a provision allowing an amount equivalent of up to 10% of the purchase price that could be used for land management, public access improvements, and habitat enhancement.
It is anticipated that the Board of County Commissioners will place referendum on the 2026 ballot to continue the Environmentally Sensitive Lands program in Flagler County.
The Northeast Florida Regional Council is an independent, regional government agency serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. It provides a regional perspective on economic development, emergency preparedness, resiliency, and community development to enhance the quality of life of Northeast Florida residents.
Follow Flagler County Government on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment.
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