What is Volusia Forever?

An award-winning, citizen-led measure that invests in buying and managing lands in Volusia County to protect: 

• Our drinking water sources

• The quality of the water in our lakes, rivers, and lagoons

• Habitat and corridors for wildlife

• Local forests and farmland

• Outdoor recreation spaces

It then takes care of our lands as conservation stewards, forever. In 2000, Volusia County voters overwhelmingly approved Volusia Forever for 20 years. It will end in 2021, unless we vote YES to renew it this November 3rd.

How much land has been preserved?

A little more than 38 thousand acres.

What are some of the properties that Volusia Forever has purchased?

• Additions to Lake George Forest and Wildlife Management Area

• Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve

• Hickory Bluff Preserve

• Additions to Volusia Conservation Corridor

• Green Springs Park

• Long Leaf Pine Preserve

Click here for a complete map of Volusia Forever purchases

What remains to be bought?

There are still lands to be acquired in order to complete the Volusia Conservation Corridor, Spruce Creek Preserve, and the Indian River Lagoon Blueway. These are all Florida Forever Projects that would qualify for matching funds from the state.  There are also opportunities to acquire lands along the St. Johns River and within springs protection areas.

What organizations have given awards to Volusia Forever?

Volusia Forever has been recognized for its “visionary leadership” in conservation by:

• The Nature Conservancy

• Trust for Public Land

• 1000 Friends of Florida

• National Association of Counties

Who decides what lands are purchased and how are they paid for?

We do! A Citizen Advisory Board, made up of people with the knowledge and experience to make sure that the lands meet the criteria for protection, develops a prioritized list of lands that fit the objectives of the measure. All purchases are with willing sellers and based on fair market value determined by certified appraisers. If the seller and the County come to an agreement, the property is purchased, often using matching dollars from other agencies and organizations to help pay for the land. The County’s portion of payment comes from money in the Volusia Forever Fund, but the County can issue bonds up to $60 million, if reauthorized, to fund purchases if it needs to. The measure is subject to full public disclosure by an audit conducted every year.

Where do Volusia Forever Funds come from?

For the last 20 years, the money in the Volusia Forever Fund has come from a portion of our property taxes. The ad valorem tax is just $0.20 (twenty cents) on $1,000 of taxable property value. That’s less than $0.50 (fifty cents) a week on a home with a taxable value of $130,000!

That won’t change if we vote YES to renew Volusia Forever on November 3rd. There will be no increase, we’ll just continue investing at the same rate.

What agencies and organizations have provided matching dollars?

• St. Johns River Water Management District

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection

• Florida Forest Service

• Florida Communities Trust

• Various cities in Volusia County

Why vote YES for Volusia Forever this November 3rd?

Because we and our children and grandchildren need clean water for drinking and for fishing, boating and swimming; because all of us, now and into the future, want to be able to enjoy Volusia County’s beautiful outdoor spaces; and because the wildlife native to our area needs a place to live, too. Volusia Forever protects our investment thus far, and makes sure that the quality of life we have enjoyed will be enjoyed by future generations, too.