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Green PLACE stands for Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection. Green PLACE is an initiative started in 2002 by Mayor Crotty designed to preserve Orange County's natural resources and wildlife. Since the inception of the Green PLACE program, Orange County has been able to purchase over 7,320 acres of environmentally sensitive lands.
The mission of Green PLACE is:
"To preserve and manage environmentally sensitive lands, protect water resource lands and to provide a quality passive recreational outdoors experience for existing and future generations."
Land acquisition is an important tool used by federal, state, and local governments along with private organizations to preserve an area's natural resources. These lands can be used for the enjoyment of the public, to protect water supply sources, to protect endangered wildlife and plant species, and to provide wildlife corridors for far-ranging species such as the Black Bear and Florida Panther. As of 2007, Orange County, in cooperation with its partners, has purchased 20,994 acres of environmentally sensitive lands.
In June of 2006, Mayor Crotty announced the initiative, Invest in Orange County- Our Children's Legacy, which includes environmental preservation as a major component. This program provides for an additional $125 million for the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands. With the help of the Invest in Orange County initiative, we look forward to leading the way in the preservation of Orange County's environmentally sensitive areas. Through Green PLACE, the citizens of today, as well as tomorrow, will have places to explore and learn about Orange County's rich natural history.
Learn about the Green PLACE Advisory Board. |
Natural Resource Management 
