The Polk County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to purchase a 649-acre tract near Babson Park for $5,245,000, the second purchase under the revived Polk County Environmental Lands Program.
The site owned by the Friedlander family is located off Friedlander Road and Golfview Cutoff Road adjacent to the former county southeast regional landfill.
Although the site is dominated by pasture, it contains some rare scrub plant species and rare animals including whooping cranes, caracara and fox squirrel have been documented on the site.
There are very few invasive exotic species on the site and it has a good potential for habitat restoration., according to the technical evaluation that occurred during a site visit.
It could also provide public recreation once a management plan is developed
County Manager Bill Beasley told commissioners part of the site could be used for monitoring groundwater in connection with the old landfill.
During Tuesday’s meeting commissioners also approved a $3.3 million project to restore wetlands at the edge of Dundee to improve water quality in nearby Lake Annie.
Polk Commissioners Approve Second Lake Wales Ridge Purchase
Posted in Group Conservation Issues.