Orange County to buy 20 Reams Road acres for Green Place conservation program

The Orange County Commission approved the Orange County’s Green PLACE program to protect the land. The 20.845 acres of land along Reams Road was selected for water resource protection, as well as the enhancement and protection of an existing wildlife corridor.

Environmentalists are celebrating a win for conservation following the county’s approval of the purchase of more than 20 acres in Horizon West at an Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, July 25.

At the meeting, the commission approved Orange County’s Green PLACE’s request to purchase 20.845 acres of land along Reams Road for $2.7 million.

The property is directly adjacent to a stretch of Reams Road that was closed for several weeks due to flooding after Hurricane Ian.

County officials said the land was selected for water resource protection, as well as the enhancement and protection of an existing wildlife corridor.

Beth Jackson, environmental program supervisor of natural resource management for the county, said a healthy, natural environment, including air, water and other natural resources such as forests, wetlands and groundwater, are essential to a community’s overall well-being.

“The Green PLACE program provides benefits to Orange County residents, flora and fauna communities, and the region’s economy,” Jackson said. “Fourteen Green PLACE natural areas are open to the public for nature-based recreation and provide a much-needed respite from the stresses of daily urban life. Additionally, these areas help preserve habitat for plant and wildlife species and help preserve water resources. Finally, there are increased opportunities for ecotourism, reduction in some infrastructure costs, and can even act as amenities to help the region attract new employers.”