Protecting Our Home

The Alachua County Forever (ACF) program, established in 2000 under Alachua County’s Environmental Protection Department, has protected more than 36,000 acres of forests, wetlands and prairies. The program identifies and acquires environmentally significant lands to safeguard wildlife habitats, protect water resources and provide public spaces for recreation.

ACF works with willing landowners to purchase property outright or establish conservation easements, allowing owners to retain use of their land while ensuring it remains protected. In 2008, county voters approved the “Wild Spaces, Public Places” sales tax to support land preservation, which was renewed in 2016 and 2022.

The county also partners with state and federal agencies to leverage local funding and expand conservation efforts. Through these partnerships and community support, the Land Conservation Division continues to preserve Alachua County’s natural landscapes, creating a legacy of sustainability for future generations.

Among some of the most notable land acquistions include:

• 6,023-acres at Barr Hammock Preserve
• 6,300 acres at Lochloosa Slough Preserve
• 4,660 acres surrounding the Santa Fe River
• 1,600 acres at Lake Alto Preserve
• 376 acres at Turkey Creek Preserve

Join the effort to safeguard the county’s natural resources by becoming a trail monitor.

Read our feature on the WSPP surtax and how it is being used:

The below map shows all the protected lands in Alachua County, as of October 2025.

See a list of county-owned preserves open to the public.

Learn more about Alachua County's Land Conservation Division, including its tree planting program and ACF property nomination process.