Ribbon cutting to celebrate conservation land purchase

Posted On: February 1, 2023

Volusia County Government, the City of Ormond Beach and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) invite the public to attend a ribbon cutting to celebrate the joint acquisition of a 19-acre environmentally sensitive parcel of land in Ormond Beach at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15. Attendees should park at the Riverbend Nature Park, 755 Airport Road, Ormond Beach.

The newly acquired property, previously referred to as the Penland and Pomerenke property, was evaluated and recommended for purchase by the voter-approved Volusia Forever Program and is connected to the Riverbend Nature Park off Airport Road. This purchase will create and expand upon the area's passive, conservation-compatible recreational activities available for the public to enjoy. The City of Ormond Beach will develop and manage the park expansion, and the county will retain joint ownership with the city.

In addition to recreational benefits, the SJRWMD will ensure the ecological value of the property remains protected with a conservation easement over the land. 

The county is also proud to announce this is the first Volusia Forever purchase in partnership with the City of Ormond Beach. 

Volusia Forever was created in 2000 when the citizens of Volusia County voted to tax themselves .2 mills over 20 years to protect the county's natural biodiversity. Voters renewed it for another 20 years during the November 2020 election. To stretch these dollars as far as possible, Volusia Forever forms partnerships with federal, state, water management district and local agencies committed to protecting natural resources. Approximately 39,000 acres have been acquired since the beginning of the program.

Two or more members from the Volusia County Council may attend the event.

For more information regarding the event, contact Sarah Presley at spresley@volusia.org or 386-943-7081, ext. 13456.