Florence County: Balancing Growth and Green Spaces
Florence County is at a crossroads.
It's growing fast, with new homes, factories, and jobs popping up everywhere. But the county is also thinking about its future and wants to make sure it doesn't lose its green spaces in the process. They're working on a plan to protect special places like wetlands, forests, and farms. But they need the community's help to figure out what's most important to save.
Collaborative Effort
Three groups are helping with this plan:
- Trust for Public Land
- Weston and Sampson
- Open Space Institute
They're not just looking to lock away land and forget about it. Instead, they want to create a plan that can change over time as more land is protected. This plan will guide how the county preserves its natural treasures.
Progress and Goals
The county has already made some progress. A few years ago, only 1.5% of the land was conserved. Now, that number is up to 5%. But there's still a lot more to do. The county wants to know what matters most to its residents.
What Should Be Saved?
- Historical significance
- Wildlife importance
- Other community values
The choice is up to the community.
Conservation Options
Some people think conservation means land must stay completely untouched. But that's not the only way. Land can be conserved for different reasons.
Examples of Conservation
- Working farms can keep operating while being protected.
- Educational purposes, like the 8,460 acres of forestland recently conserved for Francis Marion University.
- Private landowners can join in by putting their property into land trusts.
Economic Benefits
The county is also thinking about how conservation can help the economy. Protected lands can:
- Attract tourists
- Make the county a more appealing place for businesses
It's not just about saving land; it's about making the county a better place to live and visit.
