The Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) has permanently protected 183 acres in Lafayette County through a conservation easement designed to limit groundwater withdrawals and nitrogen impacts to freshwater springs in the Suwannee and Santa Fe river basins.
The property, known as Kerby Farm, is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Springs Priority Focus Area for the Troy, Peacock, Lafayette Blue and Falmouth spring systems, according to an ACT release.
Primarily consisting of pastureland, Kerby Farm also includes freshwater forested wetlands and ponds that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. The property supports numerous wading birds, aquatic species, raptors and other birds. Swallow-tailed kites and Mississippi kites regularly use the property for feeding and resting, while river otters, white-tailed deer and wild turkeys also frequent the land.
Funding from the Suwannee River Water Management District’s Accelerating Suwannee Fund was used to protect Kerby Farm in perpetuity. ACT will hold the conservation easement, ensuring the property’s conservation values remain protected while allowing compatible agricultural uses to continue.
The property has a long history of agriculture. It was originally operated as a family farm producing corn, cotton and peanuts before later becoming a beef and dairy farm. Today, the property is permanently protected as low-impact grazing land supporting a sustainable cow-calf operation.
“Our goal has been to preserve this property’s natural beauty and wildlife,” said landowner Everett Kerby, on behalf of himself and his wife, Sue, in the release. “It’s rewarding to see it protected through this conservation easement, and we are grateful to ACT for their guidance throughout the process.”
The conservation easement provides long-term protection for the property’s natural resources while supporting continued agricultural use and helping protect water resources that contribute to the region’s freshwater springs.