Martin eyes Bar-B Ranch for conservation

STUART – The Martin County Commission voted unanimously Aug. 26 to begin negotiating a conservation easement on the 1,941-acre Bar-B Ranch, the first potential purchase under the new half-cent sales tax voters approved last year to preserve environmentally sensitive lands. 

Senior Project Manager Michael Yustin told commissioners the property was recommended by the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee after meeting criteria for water quality, habitat protection and connectivity to other conservation areas. 

“The ranch is composed of high-quality pine forests, marshes and pastures,” Yustin said. “It sits within the Indian River Lagoon South boundary and will help capture stormwater affecting the St. Lucie Estuary.” 

Florida Forever, the state’s conservation land program, has committed to paying the bulk of the $17 million easement cost, he said, allowing county surtax dollars to stretch further. Unlike fee-simple ownership, an easement preserves conservation values while keeping the land in private hands, with the owner responsible for ongoing management. 

Commissioners asked whether it would be more cost-effective to buy the land outright. Yustin said the easement model was far less expensive and avoided long-term maintenance costs for the county. That assurance convinced commissioners to proceed. 

Commissioner Stacey Hetherington, who toured the property several years ago, called it “one of the most beautiful parcels of Old Florida I’ve ever seen.” She made the motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Ed Ciampi. 

The Troup family, longtime ranch owners, thanked the board for its support. Brennan Troup, speaking with her father Lance, said the deal would ensure their land remains green and natural while allowing the family’s cattle heritage to continue. 

“My daughters, as the next generation, are very appreciative of being able to continue our family’s heritage under the conservation easement of the Bar-B Ranch,” she said. 

Commission Chair Sarah Heard called the approval a milestone. “We’ve been pursuing this property for some years now,” she said. “It’s wonderful to actually be tying a bow on it.” 

The unanimous vote clears the way for due diligence and negotiations with the landowner before a final contract comes back to the board.