Osceola County Government has taken steps to preserve the natural beauty of the county and to ensure that there will be natural lands and water resources for future generations.

The Environmental Lands Conservation Program was created to acquire and manage environmentally significant lands with a voter-endorsed ad valorem funding source. This property tax enables the program to issue bonds for the purchase of land for water resource protection, wildlife habitat, public green space and resource-based passive recreation.

In September 2005, the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners hired Randy Mathews as the Environmental Lands Coordinator. Randy assists the newly formed Land Conservation Advisory Board, County Commissioners, County Manager and staff with the responsibilities of acquiring and managing environmentally significant lands for public use in Osceola County.

The Land Conservation Advisory Board is comprised of nine members from the community representing such areas as, agriculture, business, education, the environment, government, civic organizations and the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud.

To begin acquiring and protecting natural lands and water resources, the process starts with a Site Nomination Form, which is available from the Environmental Lands Coordinator or click here to download the form. The completed form will then be reviewed by the Land Conservation Advisory Board for consideration for purchase as an environmentally significant site.

For more information about the Environmental Lands Conservation Program, contact Debbie Geer at 407 742-8650 or e-mail us at conservation@osceola.org.

Together, we can protect and preserve the natural beauty of Osceola County.