A Promise Kept: Martin County Forever Moves Forward

On election day last November, Martin County voters made a bold choice for the future. Nearly 64% of us said yes to a half-cent sales tax dedicated solely to preserving our most precious lands and waters. That night, I remember feeling both proud and humbled. Proud that our community cared so deeply about protecting what makes this place so special - and humbled that Firefly had the opportunity to help tell that story through the Martin County Forever campaign.

Since January, that surtax has been quietly at work. Each year it’s expected to raise more than $18 million, and over the 10-year life of the program, revenues could top $220 million - even more once you add state and federal grants. Already, about $12 million has been collected. 

You may wonder: “where does all that money go?” By law, it can only be used to acquire - or protect land through conservation easements - in four critical conservation areas:

• Indian River Lagoon watershed
• Loxahatchee-St. Lucie headwaters a.k.a. Loxa-Lucie
• Pal-Mar wetlands
• Blueways urban waterways

Together, these places safeguard our drinking water, reduce polluted runoff, buffer us from flooding, and connect wildlife habitats across the Florida Wildlife Corridor. They also protect the outdoor spaces that knit our community together - from fishing and boating to simply knowing wild places still exist right here at home.

On Friday, September 5, the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC) - the citizen board created to ensure transparency and accountability – provided a major public update. The agenda covered milestones already achieved, the first recommendations for land purchases and conservation easements, and presentations on more than a dozen nominated properties. So far, about 3,000 acres are in the process of being acquired in Pal Mar and the Indian River Lagoon watershed (at Bar B Ranch).

Pal Mar

On a personal note, we have even more to celebrate about this citizen-driven campaign to preserve our lands and our future. Earlier this month, Firefly was honored with top statewide recognition from the Florida Public Relations Association for our work on the Martin County Forever campaign. While I’ll admit receiving the award was a thrill for all of us at Firefly, more than anything, it was a reminder that the real achievement belongs to the people of Martin County. You stood united, educated your neighbors, showed up and voted. Together we created a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect our land, water, and way of life.

The work is just beginning, but the path ahead is bright. With every acre preserved, we’re keeping a promise — that Martin County will remain a place of clean water, abundant wildlife, and natural beauty. Not just for us, but for every generation to come.

For more information on the Martin County Land Acquisition Sales Tax Program, including how to nominate properties for consideration, visit www.martincountyforever.com. You can also follow Martin County Public Works on Facebook for timely updates.

Stacy Weller Ranieri's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.