West Gainesville resident Mable Robertson recently donated a new conservation easement to Alachua County Forever, the county’s land preservation program. The 115-acre parcel of land is located on SW 8th Ave., just west of SW 91st  St.

Robertson and her husband bought the land more than 50 years ago, when the area still was 100 percent rural, and have made great efforts to keep the land as it was at the time of their original purchase. They farmed the areas that had been previously cut for timber and pasture use and left alone the hammock areas that had not been disturbed. Robertson continues to walk the fencelines, tend to the few cattle that graze on the property, pull boulders and fallen limbs from various walking paths and does most of the work to maintain the property.

A “conservation easement” creates a legally enforceable land preservation agreement between the landowner and Alachua County Forever, restricting development with more than one house, commercial or industrial uses and other activities. The decision to place a conservation easement are both voluntary by the current landowner and binding to all future landowners.

"We are very grateful that Mrs. Robertson and her family recognize the value of conserving these green spaces," said Ramesh Buch, Alachua County Forever Program Manager. "We are honored she chose Alachua County Forever as the trustee of her legacy."

Robertson says she put the value of the land first. “I'm glad to know the property will be protected in its natural condition for the enjoyment of future generations to come and the needs of the community for green space,” says Robertson. “You can't put a price on trees."

"Mrs. Robertson has watched development change the character of Newberry Rd. from rural parkway to highway and observed the gradual demise of tung trees and adjacent farming practices,” says Roberton’s attorney Melissa Norman. “Over the years, the Robertsons turned down many lucrative development offers. She has a true love of the land; the land inspires her, keeps her mentally and physically balanced and intact. She knows and tends to every individual tree on that property like they were her children."

Alachua County Forever, which was created by the voters in 2000, and the Nature Conservancy were planning to cover the costs associated with the transaction, which in this case was expected to be about $25,505. Alachua County Forever is funded through a 0.25 mill property tax and is capped at a total of $29 million.  To date the County has used $22 million of these local dollars to leverage $41 million of federal, State and private funds to protect more than 12,000 acres of property.

For more information about becoming an Alachua County Forever Volunteer, contact Ramesh Buch at (352) 264-6800.
Visit here for more information on Alachua County Forever.