In a monumental collaboration with Santa Rosa County, Trust for Public Land, and the Department of the Navy, Santa Rosa County is thrilled to announce the protection of 429 acres of vital natural lands, including a 40-acre lake. This conservation achievement plays a crucial role in buffering NAS Whiting Field and enhancing public outdoor recreation. The project reflects the county’s commitment to both environmental stewardship and the well-being of the community.
Thanks to the leadership and vision of District 3 Commissioner James Calkins and the Board of County Commissioners, the Clear Creek area will now serve as a prime location for outdoor recreation. This initiative includes the restoration of the longleaf pine habitat and ensures ongoing operations at NAS Whiting Field, supported by a conservation easement conveyed by the county.
District 3 Commissioner James Calkins
“We’re building a strong partnership between our community and the military, making sure we keep out developments that don’t fit, while opening up great opportunities for recreation and nature,” said Commissioner James Calkins, Vice-Chairman and District 3. “This project is a big win for everyone in our community and for our military partners.”
“As coastal Florida continues to develop rapidly, conserving our natural land and water for recreation also bolsters climate resiliency and protects people and property,” said Doug Hattaway, Southeast Region Conservation Director for Trust for Public Land. “TPL applauds the leadership of the Santa Rosa County Commission and NAS Whiting and pleased to be a broader multi-partner initiative to provide more nature-based outdoor recreational opportunities, access to waterways, military base buffering, and longleaf pine habitat restoration with conservation projects like Clear Creek.”
The conservation area will be accessible for public passive recreation and managed by the county with support from the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership. Commissioner James Calkins has also advocated for the restoration of the longleaf pine forest habitat within the area, recognizing its critical environmental and historical significance.
Funding for this visionary project was sourced from Florida’s Defense Infrastructure Grant and the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program through the Department of the Navy. Commissioner James Calkins’ efforts are part of a larger initiative by Trust for Public Land, which has successfully conserved over 13,500 acres of land in recent years, restoring it to longleaf pine forest.
