Agenda Item Name:
Title
Alachua Conservation Trust Efforts to Access Federal Grants for Land Conservation
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Presenter:
Tom Kay, Executive Director, Alachua Conservation Trust
Description:
Tom Kay will make a presentation on the efforts by Alachua Conservation Trust to secure Federal grants for land conservation in partnership with Alachua County Forever.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
1. Authorize an allocation of up to $10 million of Wild Spaces and Public Places funding to be used as match for acquisitions within Alachua County portions of the Regional Conservation Partnership Projects (RCPP) sponsored by Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT). Specific acquisition projects to utilize the allocation will be brought to the Board for consideration.
2. Authorize the County Manager or her designee to approve changes to the Partner Contribution Forms which are a reduction in funds requested in order to efficiently adjust applications as the need arises.
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Prior Board Motions:
On May 26, 2020, the Board authorized the County Manager or her designee to sign and submit the attached partner contribution letters for Alachua Conservation Trust’s federal grant applications for RCPP and NAWCA.
On July 13, 2021, the Board authorized the County Manager or designee to sign the updated partner contribution letters for Alachua Conservation Trust’s federal grant program agreement for RCPP.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The recommended action would dedicate up to $10 million designated for land acquisition in Fund 021 Wild Spaces Public Places to be used as match for grants to acquire lands within RCPPs sponsored by Alachua Conservation Trust.
There is sufficient budget for this in 021.41.4160.537.61.00 and in future revenue allocations for this amount to be dedicated to this purpose.
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Strategic Guide:
Environment
Background:
Alachua Conservation Trust has been a long time partner with Alachua County in the protection of important natural areas within the County. ACT provides the services of a Land Acquisition Negotiator for the Alachua County Forever program under a contract with the County. ACT has assisted the County in securing grants, such as the Florida Communities Trust Grant to acquire the Serenola Forest Preserve, and provides management for several preserves at no cost to the County.
Recently, ACT has worked to secure Federal Grants through the Regional Conservation Partnership Project program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. By providing matching dollars to help secure these grants, the County is able to leverage its land acquisition funding and increase the amount of protected natural areas within the County.