Quail Roost Conservation Easement

Following the death of his parents, just months apart in 2003, Kerry Heubeck worked with CTF to protect and limit development on approximately 800 acres of their 1,000 acre farm, Quail Roost II. A conservation easement was used to protect 200 acres, and deed restrictions controlled the possible development of another 600 acres. These protections were instituted as a memorial to his parents, Harriet and Elmer Heubeck, Jr. who both held a deep love for the land upon which they lived and worked.

The Heubecks have long been recognized as pioneers in the Florida Thoroughbred Horse industry. Their name is routinely and justly associated with that of Rosemere, the first Thoroughbred farm in Marion County, as well as Hobeau Farm, for years one of the nation’s leading Thoroughbred breeding establishments and racing stables. Nevertheless, it was their own Quail Roost Farm to which family and friends attach their fondest memories. It was this original Quail Roost that was so unique, bringing together under their aegis one of Florida’s best known Thoroughbred breeding and training venues, a large purebred and commercial beef operation, and one of the finest private exotic game preserves in the nation.

In dedicating the Quail Roost Conservation Easement to their memory, Kerry stated, “Some sixty years ago my parents brought me to an exquisite land, where I had the luxury of growing up surrounded by lush green Florida hammocks, crystal-clear springs, and an abundance of wildlife unimaginable today. That particular landscape is now mostly buried beneath concrete and asphalt. Before they died, each of my parents spoke of protecting the land. I’ve also come to believe that each of us must assume the responsibility of preserving the wildness that remains — so that our children, and theirs, may come to know such beauty; and, quite possibly, for the very survival of us all.”

Price's Scrub

Working with the state Office of Greenways and Trails, CTF helped protect Price’s Scrub, a unique 952-acre sand pine and pond pine system with saw palmetto understory. Price’s Scrub is continuing ecological restoration and is open to the public for light recreation such as hiking and horseback riding. These properties are an important connection in the effort to create a recreational corridor, primarily for horseback riding, from Payne’s Prairie Sate Preserve to Goethe State Forest.

Lochloosa Nature Preserve

CTF nominated the Lochloosa Nature Preserve for acquisition by the Alachua County Forever land conservation program. The project was approved for acquisition in October 2003. The 1,388-acre parcel, surrounded by the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area, boasts some of the best remaining longleaf pine flatwoods and sandhill habitat in the county.

Barr Hammock Preserve

In 2002, CTF nominated Barr Hammock for acquisition. Using Alachua County Forever funds, the Alachua County Commission purchased this prized property, furthering our commitment to help create a recreational, landscape-level corridor that runs through Alachua and Marion Counties. Overall, there are 5,719 acres to the Barr Hammock preserve, making it the largest of Alachua county’s conservation acquisitions. Barr Hammock connects Payne’s Prairie State Preserve to the Ocala National Forest and Goethe State Forest, keeping intact entire ecosystems, wildlife populations and the largest wetlands in Alachua County – Ledwith and Levy Prairies. Barr Hammock and its surrounding uplands are some of the most important ecologically intact examples of prairie/lake ecosystems in north central Florida. Its protection preserves significant prehistoric archaeological sites and will provide the citizens of Florida with a beautiful space for recreational activities such as bird watching and hiking.

Hansen Preserve

Phyllis Hansen (on left), recipient of a Land Conservation Award, was introduced by her long-time friend and fellow Cross Creek resident Kate Barnes. Photo by Ed Geers.

Cross Creek is a special place with a unique rural character, immortalized by Pulitzer Prize winner Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. CTF was happy to accept a conservation easement on Phyllis Hansen’s 25-acre property on the shore of Orange Lake. The easement will protect the wildlife, waterfront, and water quality, as well as the dense forest on the property.

Phyllis wanted to protect the scenic beauty of the tupelo swamp on her property. “When I found this spot of land I knew I would never go anywhere else,” she wrote. “The beauty was more than I had ever imagined could exist in one place. I worried about what would happen to it when I was no longer around. After a number of efforts, trials, and errors, the Conservation Trust for Florida solved my problem and I thank them earnestly from the bottom of my heart.”

“I worried about what would happen to it when I was no longer around. After a number of efforts, trials, and errors, the Conservation Trust for Florida solved my problem… Phyllis Hansen, landowner

Workshop: Keeping your Land Productive Through Conservation Easements

Event Date: Sept. 24, 2014

9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Austin Cary Learning Center
10625 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL 32609 

FLYER

Join the Conservation Trust for Florida, the Forest Stewardship Program & Florida Society of American Forests – Suwannee Chapter to see how you can produce and harvest timber and agricultural crops with a conservation easement.

Join us to learn the benefits of conservation easements and other tools to keep land in agriculture, forestry and/or conservation. This workshop will cover the function of land trusts, how conservation easements work, how landowners can benefit, available technical and financial assistance, and alternatives for successional planning.

$15 fee, lunch and materials included.
Reserve a space at http://fsp-workshop092414.eventbrite.com/ or by contacting Lyndall Brezina, (352)375-1473, Lyndall@columbiatimber.com. Pay at the door with check payable to Florida Society of American Foresters.

This workshop has been approved for 4 Category 1 Society of American Foresters CFEs (Continuing Forestry Education).

Agenda

• 9:30 am – Sign-in, meet & greet
• 10:00 am – Welcome and Introduction: Land Trusts and Conservation Easements for Working Lands, Jib Davidson, Columbia Timber and Environmental Services & United Country
• 10:15 am –  Land Trusts 101, Keith Fountain, Conservation Trust for Florida
• 10:45 am – Conservation Easements 101, Charlie Houder, Natural Resource Planning Services and Saunders Real Estate
• 11:30 am –  Appraisals for Conservation Easements, Zac E. Ryan
• 12:00 pm Lunch (Suwannee Chapter SAF business and announcements at 12:30 pm)
• 12:45 pm–  Donation vs. Sale of an Easement, Keith Fountain
• 1:15 pm – Tax Benefits of Conservation Easements, Jib Davidson
• 1:45 pm –  Technical and Financial Assistance Programs for Conservation and Ecosystem Services, Chris Demers, UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation and Charlie Houder
• 2:30 pm –  Panel Discussion, all

CTF Makes the Case

As the Conservation Trust for Florida approaches its 15th Anniversary, there is a sense of urgency to act, and our new Case Statement describes how and why.

Over the next 5 years the CTF will engage private landowners in some of the most critical conservation areas of the state, and work to bridge conservation and private lands to protect Florida’s diverse wildlife, agricultural heritage, outdoor recreation opportunities and quality of life.

To request hard copies of this case statement to share, please contact us at 352-376-4770 or write info@conserveflorida.org.

CTF's Family Nature Club Valentine's Hike

Gainesville Ecotours led a Family Nature Club “Alphabet Hike” for children at the Barr Hammock Levy Prairie Preserve on Saturday, February 15, 2014. The event was sponsored by the Conservation Trust for Florida. Sixteen parents and 22 children set out to find, “A is for Ants, Alligators, and P is for Plants!”  The preserve is owned by Alachua County, but the Conservation Trust for Florida and Alachua County partner to provide outreach activities at the preserve.On the Alphabet Hike, children looked for nature items that began with the alphabet letters. They were allowed to stop for anything they saw or even sprint ahead to the next animal or plant that they wanted to see. This hike was guided by the children’s own exploration. If they were excited about an ant pile for 10 minutes or wanted to run around in a mud hole, they were given the freedom to explore at their own pace. This hike was designed to have a guided activity, but only to the extent that it helped the children explore, but more for the children to notice nature, get exercise, and fresh air. No lectures, no hurry, lots of fun!

Children climb on the snake shaped bike rack at Barr Hammock Levy Prairie Preserve. Sponsored by CTF and led by Gainesville Ecotours.

Armed with children’s binoculars, the children first noticed, “A is for Ants,” along with “W is for Water and P is for Plants.” As they hiked they observed: “S is for Snake, P is for Poop, T is for Trees, G is for Grass, and D is for Dirt!” They observed weather in: “C is for Clouds,” and shapes of letters too in: “U is for a U shaped item” in the form of a tree branch in the shape of a U. They even used their binoculars to observe the, “P is for Poop” that was right at their feet. Little scientists in the making!

The children enjoyed their hike and loved going through their Valentine’s bags filled with stickers, wildflower seeds, CTF and Florida Wildlife Corridor brochures, Gainesville Birding and Nature Festival information, how to create a back yard bird feeder, and, of course, the chocolates! The weather was clear, sunny, and warm, and the children had fun too. It was a great day for parents to spend with their Valentines. 

Hike Barr Hammock Preserve with CTF!

Join CTF and Terri Mashour of Gainesville Ecotours for some fun outings and hikes at the Barr Hammock Levy Prairie Preserve. FREE!

Location: Barr Hammock Preserve, SE 11th Dr, Micanopy, FL 32667 (map)
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: FREE
Sponsored by: Conservation Trust for Florida in partnership with Gainesville Ecotours

What to Bring: Wear long pants and closed-toed outdoor shoes that are ok to get dirty. Please bring water, and you may also want a hat, sunscreen, and a snack. There are no restrooms at this natural area.

Saturday February 15, 2014

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

It is Valentine’s weekend! What better way to celebrate than on a date with your children in nature! Join us as we do an alphabet hike searching for natural items and wildlife that start with every letter in the alphabet as we do a short hike on the trail. Afterwards we will enjoy Valentine’s chocolates as a treat! We will hike about a mile, the path is not shaded, but is great for strollers and bicycles.

To Register for the February 15 hike click here. Register by 5:00 pm on February 14.

Saturday March 8, 2014

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

It is spring and a perfect time to hike in Florida! Join Conservation Trust for Florida and Gainesville Ecotours as we hike the levee trail at Barr Hammock Preserve, just north of Micanopy! Enjoy a wetlands ecology talk as we search for wading birds and evidence of wildlife, enjoy some light exercise, and enjoy peace and quite of nature. Afterwards we will head over to Mosswood Farm Store in Micanopy to enjoy a pastry, included as part of the hike! We will hike about 3-4 miles, the path is not shaded, but is great for strollers and bicycles.

To Register for the March 8 hike click here. Register by 5:00 pm on March 7.

Monday March 17, 2014

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

It is spring and a perfect time to hike in Florida! Join Conservation Trust for Florida and Gainesville Ecotours as we hike the levee trail at Barr Hammock Preserve, just north of Micanopy! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by viewing and searching for GREEN plants, GREEN frogs, and GREEN alligators! We will hike about 3-4 miles, the path is not shaded, but is great for strollers and bicycles. Afterwards we will enjoy a GREEN mint chocolate chip ice cream with a trip to Colleen’s Ice Cream Parlor and Cafe, included in the hike!

To Register for the March 17 hike click here. Register by 5:00 pm on March 16.

Sunday March 30, 2014

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

It is spring in Florida-the best time to hike! Join us as we hike the Barr Hammock levee trail with a local Alachua Audubon birder! View wading birds, and learn general characteristics of how to identify birds. We will hike about 3-4 miles, the path is not shaded, but is easy hiking.

To Register for the March 30 hike click here. Register by 5:00 pm on March 29.

Thank You: Farm to Fork Gala 2013

Thank you to everyone for your generous support of the Conservation Trust for Florida’s Farm to Fork Gala at the Santa Fe River Ranch Sunday, October 27, 2013.Special thanks to Alan Hitchcock, owner of the Santa Fe River Ranch, for hosting the event!

Your support, whether it is through sponsorship, program ads or attendance, translates into protection of our beloved state’s natural, cultural and recreational resources.

Dr. and Mrs. K.C. And Marybeth Nayfield were presented with the 2013 Land Conservation Award for protecting their magnificent property near the Suwannee River. From left: Amy Stern, Cory Nayfield, Dr. and Mrs. K.C. And Marybeth Nayfield, and CTF President David Pais. Matt Dube’/Ten Speed Photography

CTF Hosts Continuing Legal Education Seminar

Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc.
Hosts Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Seminar sponsored by the USA Equestrian Trust.

Conservation Easements from All Angles: Issues and Strategies for Landowner Advisors

Topics covered included: Conservation Easement Basics, Tax Incentives, Resolving Family Issues, IRS Appraisal Requirements

Speakers
Zac E.W. Ryan, MAI (Lic. FL, GA, SC)
Heidi Horak, Esq. (Lic. FL, NY; FL Bd. Cert. Real Estate Law)
Keith R. Fountain, Conservation Advisors LLC

• Approved for 5.0 General CLE Credits #1303905N
• 3 Hours Meet MAI CE standards
• Courses on conservation easements qualified for technical business CPE credit for Florida CPAS.

Biographies of Presenters

Keith R. Fountain is a member of The Florida Bar with more than 20 years of combined experience with prominent conservation real estate programs and partnerships and real estate law.  He is currently the managing member of Conservation Advisors LLC, a consulting firm that provides non-legal services to landowners, real estate investors, and nonprofit organizations to implement land conservation projects, secure public and private conservation capital, and implement conservation business strategies.  Previously, Mr. Fountain spent almost 20 years with The Nature Conservancy, where he managed real estate programs protecting hundreds of thousands of acres, including more than 4,300 fee simple and conservation easement transactions valued at $671 million, in partnership with donors and government conservation programs.  After graduating from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1987, he practiced law with an emphasis on real property and land use law.

Brad Gould, Esq. CPA (Lic. FL, U.S. Tax Court), Dean Mead, Shareholder; Office: Fort Pierce. Mr. Gould practices in the area of federal income, estate, and gift tax law and business succession planning. He represents businesses and business owners in all types of business and tax matters, including choice of entity, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, and other general business matters. Mr. Gould represents individuals, businesses and fiduciaries before the Internal Revenue Service and also counsels clients on estate and wealth preservation planning matters. Additionally, he represents trustees, personal representatives and family members in controversies regarding wills, trusts and estates. Mr. Gould is a Certified Public Accountant.

Heidi Horak is a real estate and probate attorney who presents workshops for the Conservation Trust for Florida while maintaining an active real estate, probate, and land planning practice.  Originally from farming country in the Catskill Mountains of New York, she has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1990, and the New York Bar since 1997. She began her law career with Fowler, White in Tampa Florida and has been in solo practice since 1996 writing title insurance for Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund and managing St. Pete Title, which closed sales and loans of every variety, from mobile homes to Fortune 100 company $100+ million dollar financing transactions. In 2012 she completed her LL.M. in Environmental and Land Use Law from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She has taught in the areas of real estate, title insurance, mortgage law, debtor/creditor law, and estate planning. Ms. Horak received a B.S. from Union College in 1984 and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 1990, and has been Florida Bar Board Certified in Real Estate Law since 1997.

Zac E.W. Ryan is a member of the Appraisers Institute (MAI), licensed in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and heads Zac Ryan Appraisal Services, Inc. in Middleburg, Florida.  The Company provides a wide range of appraisal services and has extensive experience in valuing conservation easements.  Mr. Ryan has testified as an expert witness in IRS administrative hearings challenging conservation easement values, as well as valuing conservation easements for governments, NGOs, and private clients including Fortune 500 corporations, pension funds, and private individuals in 45 Florida counties. He has been practicing since 1983, and has appraised over 3 million vacant acres in Florida.  He is a leader in the field of appraising “less-than-fee.simple” transactions, and is frequently called upon to lecture on the subject; (as early as 1996 by the Southwest Florida Water Management District when the industry was in its infancy.)

Richard I. Withers, Esq. (Lic. FL), Dean Mead, Associate, Office: Gainesville. Mr. Withers practices in the Tax and Estate & Succession Planning department. He represents businesses and entrepreneurs in all types of business and tax matters, including choice of entity, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, and other general business matters. He also counsels clients in the areas of estate planning, business succession planning, probate and trust administration, and wealth preservation. He earned his Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida in 2007.

Another Successful Partnership

Conservation Trust for Florida (CTF) and Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) with help from other partners associated with the North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project (NFWCP) closed on an important 390-acre addition to the 1,900-acre complex of conservation lands known as Little Orange Creek Preserve early in 2013. CTF, ACT, the Putnam Land Conservancy (PLC), and the City of Hawthorne are members of the Little Orange Creek Partners Land Management Committee.The new acquisition will add high quality freshwater marshes in a core part of Fowler’s Prairie to the existing network of protected wetlands and uplands along the Alachua-Putnam county border. The purchase was made possible with federal funds from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), and represents another successful partnership of the NFWCP to apply this funding source in the region.

What is the NFWCP?

The North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project (NFWCP) is a collaborative effort between multiple agencies and non-profit organizations to protect an extensive network of freshwater wetlands in north central Florida that provide important habitat for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. To date, more than 8000-acres have been protected in the first four phases of the NFWCP, which will complement tens of thousands of acres of nearby conservation lands, including Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (~21,000 acres), Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area (~28,000 acres), and others. Previous NFWCP phases include: Kanapaha Prairie Preserve, Tuscawilla Preserve, Barr Hammock Preserve, Levy Lake/Whitehurst tract, and Little Orange Creek Preserve (western part).