Volusia Forever Advisory Committee Meeting - October 23, 2026

The Volusia Forever Advisory Committee met on October 23, 2026, to review and rank four fee-simple conservation land applications. The committee found all four properties eligible, then recommended Colony Road (about 152 acres), Pell Road (about 169 acres), and Oak Hill (about 30 acres) for the A list, where staff may begin due diligence and potentially negotiate an acquisition, subject to County Council approval. Goodwin Street (about 2 acres) was placed on the B list after its A-list motion failed; members cited its low score and unknowns, while noting possible future value for conservation connectivity. Pell Road may have a funding partner through the St. Johns River Water Management District, and staff reported interest from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and possible Florida Department of Environmental Protection partnership for Oak Hill, but no commitments were confirmed. No purchase prices or contract awards were considered.

Staff reported major changes to state conservation funding: approximately $75 million to $112 million is expected to remain in Florida Forever, while the agricultural easement program has $425 million, including $225 million transferred from Florida Forever and $200 million in new appropriation. Staff also reported completed acquisitions: the 14-acre John Anderson Drive project, a 493-acre Caraway Lake conservation easement completed with DEP, and the 1,200-plus-acre Riverbend Ranch acquisition. These updates underscored the importance of funding partnerships as the county advances future land acquisitions.