Lagoon Waterfront Initiative
Over our 20 year history, the Indian River Land Trust has worked to retain the character that makes this county unique by protecting environmentally important land and conserving its wildlife habitat and water quality. With real property valuations at a generational low for river frontage parcels, the Land Trust has an historic opportunity to make a lasting impact in our community.
Early in 2009, the IRLT Board of Directors determined that the Indian River Lagoon was its highest priority for protection, especially in light of the declining real estate market and increased availability of properties near the Lagoon. Given this direction, Indian River Land Trust staff utilized a strategic approach for identifying Lagoon parcels in need of protection. A computer mapping process allowed staff to prioritize undeveloped parcels larger than two acres using a wildlife habitat ranking system developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
In 2010, IRLT initiated efforts to purchase and manage undeveloped waterfront parcels along the Indian River Lagoon. The Land Trust is currently in discussions with a dozen waterfront property owners on both the east and west shorelines of the river.
Through the efforts of the Lagoon Waterfront Initiative, the Indian River Land Trust will:
- Preserve environmentally important land and water resources of the lagoon
- Protect scenic waterfront areas of the river from further development
- Provide open space for public recreation and education
In the last 15 months we have purchased 5 parcels totaling about 170 acres along the Lagoon and now own over 250 acres with about 2 miles of frontage on the Indian River Lagoon. We are in serious discussions to protect an additional 350 acres of waterfront property.
Protected Properties
South Vero Conservation Land Acquisition:
In September 2011, the Land Trust purchased the 185 acre South Vero Conservation Land. With this acquisition, IRLT now protects over 450 acres of conservation land. Located ½ mile north of the St. Lucie County border, the property establishes a five mile conservation corridor on the west side of the Lagoon. The property's tropical oak hammocks, wetlands, and ponds provide a critical habitat for hundreds of wildlife species.
Bee Gum Point:
On March 15th, the Land Trust purchased Bee Gum Point, the largest piece of conservation property in our 20 year history. The 111-acre property is one of the last undeveloped wetlands on the barrier island, containing a mile of lagoon shoreline. It is situated along the Atlantic Flyway, a major corridor for millions of migrating birds each year and is a key property in an important block of conservation lands along the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in the nation. The primary purpose for purchasing Bee Gum Point is to protect important habitat along the Indian River Lagoon. The property will remain as a natural area for conservation and will be available for periodic IRLT guided walking and bird watching tours.
IRLT Salt Marsh:
In November 2010, IRLT purchased 47 acres of conservation land along the west side of the Indian River Lagoon off of 63rd Street. The property contains ¼ mile of lagoon frontage and is one of two remaining intact high salt marshes in Indian River County. The property is made up of approximately 1/3 uplands, 1/3 oak hammock and 1/3 wetlands. It is adjacent to Spoonbill Marsh, a 45 acre man-made marsh owned by the County Utilities Department. The Land Trust’s purchase of the 47-acre property more than doubles the protected conservation area.
Quay Dock Road:
In August 2010, IRLT purchased 4 acres of conservation land on the west side of the Indian River Lagoon. The property is located at the end of Quay Dock Road, an historic wagon road built in the 1890s used by early settlers on John’s Island and the peninsula to transport their produce from the Quay Dock to Quay Station, now Winter Beach. The parcel contains mostly mangrove swamps adjacent to a small landing ideal for canoes and kayaks. A future kayak launch is planned on the property and will be available to Land Trust members and guests. The launch is expected to be open sometime in 2012.
IRLT Board Members Char Higgins, John Johnson and Grant Withers at the site of the future kayak launch.
Download the Priority Land Poster Map
