BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — No word who made the donation, but a local family apparently made a major donation that will help preserve land along the intracoastal in Delray Beach. The City of Delray Beach made this announcement to BocaNewsNow.com:
Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation, and the City of Delray Beach have permanently protected 1.5 acres thanks to a generous donation from a local family with long ties to protecting natural places. The family wishes to remain anonymous at this time.
After having the land donated to Conservation Florida, the organization decided to, in turn, donate the three parcels to the City of Delray Beach as a green space along the Intracoastal Waterway, the last of its kind in the region along the waterway. This was done to ensure that the vacant, Intracoastal waterway-fronting properties on the north end of Palm Trail to the City of Delray Beach are conserved in their natural state in perpetuity and managed similarly to nearby protected lands just north of the property.
“As a coastal city that has experienced significant growth over the last 10 years, we value each of our open spaces and are excited by Conservation Florida’s land donation,” said City of Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia.
Land in the natural state these parcels are in is quite beneficial to the residents of the City, providing an excellent habitat for wildlife and plants that help maintain a healthy environment for humans.
“Thanks to a generous family donation and our partner in conservation, the City of Delray Beach, our collective goal is for this land to bring joy, green space, and added water protection to the residents and its guests for generations to come,” said Traci Deen, President and CEO of Conservation Florida.
These properties, located on the Intracoastal Waterway, also provide an excellent habit for mangroves providing a multitude of benefits such as a habitat for marine and avian life, cleaning and filtering water, and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Lack of development on the properties will also have a positive effect on the immediate neighborhood by preventing additional strain on the drainage network.
“This protected natural environment will bring enjoyment to our residents and visitors and serve to mitigate the effects of flooding and other climate change impacts,” explained Petrolia.
The City of Delray Beach and surrounding communities have undergone significant development in recent years, with new buildings and infrastructure projects sprouting up throughout the area. However, despite the growth, there are still a few wild lots along the waterway that provide a unique and valuable scenic value to residents and visitors alike, such as this one.
These lots, which are becoming increasingly rare as development continues, offer a glimpse of the natural beauty that once characterized the areas, while serving as important habitats for wildlife and help to maintain the delicate ecological balance of the waterway ecosystem. This protection marks an important development in local wild land conservation, and it’s important for local authorities and developers to consider the importance of preserving these natural spaces while continuing to foster growth and development in the area. This property protection is just one success story of the many conservation projects permanently protected by Conservation Florida. The protection of these 1.5 acres in the City of Delray Beach helps to keep land wild – forever.
