Many modernized humans have lost sight of the importance of their relationship with the land. Kayaking on a regular basis, it’s easy to recognize how the land, along with the nature and life it supports, is sacred and should be respected and protected. Food is a good reason to change the environment. However, we now know that habitat destruction is the primary cause of climate change and all of the other environmental crises that humanity has created for themself. As a result, we must begin to think about this more critically.
Multi-national conglomerates are taking over the worlds farmland. Also, land sold by bankrupt family farms combined with the passing of the “The Greatest Generation”, lots of retired farm land land is up for grabs in rural America. A race is on between developers, industrialists, and conservationists to see who can buy theses lands first.
One thing is certain, the conservationists are loosing because many people have lots to learn about the issue at hand. Without your financial and lobbying support, we will miss the opportunity to create wetland buffers to prevent increases in urban runoff from reaching our waterways carrying pollutants.
Turning old farmland back into the type of habitats that existed before it was cleared can have several benefits, including:
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- Biodiversity conservation: Restoration of natural habitats can help protect and enhance biodiversity by providing a suitable habitat for plants and animals that were once displaced by agriculture.
- Carbon sequestration: Restoring natural habitats can also help sequester carbon from the atmosphere, thereby mitigating the impact of climate change.
- Water quality and quantity: Restored habitats can help improve water quality and quantity by reducing erosion, preventing sedimentation and filtering pollutants from surface water.
- Soil health: Restoring habitats can improve soil health by enhancing soil fertility and increasing its organic matter content.
- Ecological services: Restored habitats can also provide a range of ecological services such as pollination, pest control, and natural pest management.
- Recreation and education: Restored habitats can provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, as well as educational opportunities for people to learn about the importance of natural habitats and their role in the ecosystem.
Overall, restoring natural habitats can have multiple benefits for both the environment and society, providing valuable ecosystem services that support human well-being while promoting a sustainable use of the land.
Over time, large areas of wild-lands have been denatured to build farms as well as for other purposes such as roads. Now, in rapidly growing rural areas like St Johns County, Florida, thousands of acres of these long ago denatured farmlands are up for grabs. This blog post will explore the history of this land, why it is being released now and what the potential implications are for the county’s ecosystem. We’ll also discuss how these areas can be reclaimed and preserved for generations to come.
Farmlands going on market up for grabs.
As development pressures continue to increase in rural areas like St. Johns County, Florida, many of the large tracts of farmland that have been in production for centuries are being put up for sale. This is a major shift for a county that has long been known for its agriculture and rural character.
With the majority of the county’s farmland now owned by absentee landlords, there is a real risk that it could be lost forever to development. Those who are interested in preserving the agricultural heritage of the county need to act now to purchase these properties before they are lost forever.
Suburban, Industrial, Commercial, Habitat
In the early 1800s, what is now St. Johns County was mostly wild-land, with small farms and plantations dotting the landscape. But by the mid-1900s, much of Florida went through the “Big Dig” to make way for canal homes and suburban development, industrial parks, and commercial centers. We are at the moment when the battle is decided. As the rural county undergoes a massive population growth boom, those wild-lands held safe by the old time families are up for grabs again.
For developers and investors, St. Johns County is a prime target for new construction. The county has seen a population increase of nearly 70% since 2000, and is projected to grow another 30% by 2030. With all this new growth comes a demand for more housing, shopping centers, office parks, and other development. And where there’s demand, there’s money to be made.
But not everyone is thrilled about this prospect. For many residents who have lived in the county for generations, seeing their once-rural community turned into an urban sprawl is disheartening. They worry about the loss of open space and wildlife habitat, increased traffic congestion, and skyrocketing property taxes.
Still, the lure of easy money is hard to resist for many people. And as long as there’s demand for new development in St. Johns County, the wild-lands will continue to disappear.