Orange County currently has the following sites designated as Green PLACES.

• Hal Scott Preserve *
• Split Oak Preserve *
• NRC
• Parcel 105
• Neighborhood Lakes
• Fazio Property
• Nunnally and Evans Property
• Gloria Reid/Palmer Property
• Henson Tract
• Lake Hart Property
• Stucki Property
• Hampton Bay
• Joshua Creek Conservation Area
• TM Ranch
• Parcel 29
• Long Branch
• Doddridge Shelby Parcel

On April 17th, 2007, the Board of County Commissioners approved property uses (PDF- 19KB) for current and future Green PLACE Properties. 

* These sites are open to the public for passive recreation, see the site information for specific details. 

The Hal Scott Preserve is located in east Orange County and is managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. The preserve is an 8000-acre parcel that protects a large portion of the Econlockhatchee River which is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water. The types of habitats found on the parcel are Riverine Swamps and Pine Flatwoods.

Public access is allowed for the following activities:

• primitive camping *
• hiking
• wildlife observation
• equestrian activities

*Primitive camping for groups of 6 individuals or less is available on a first come, first serve basis.

More information is available through the St. Johns River Water Management District (External Link) or by calling (386) 329-4404.

Trail Guide available through St Johns River Water Management District(PDF - 317 KB)

The Split Oak preserve is located in the southeast portion of Orange County off of Clapp Sims Duda Road and is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Preserve was a joint acquisition with Orange County, South Florida Water Management District and Osceola County. The preserve is 1689 acres in size and the types of habitats found on the parcel include Pine Flatwoods, Dry Prairie, Xeric Oak Scrub, Freshwater Marsh, and Shrub Swamp. The preserve is open to the public for hiking and wildlife observation. Equestrian activities are allowed by permit only.

*Horseback riding is available only by permit through Orange County and can be obtained by calling (407) 273-2327. Permits are issued on Saturdays only, with no more than 10 available each Saturday.

More information is available through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (External Link).

Trail Guide Available through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (PDF - 147 KB).

NRC is approximately 409 acres in size and was purchase in 2000. Located next to Hal Scott Preserve, the lands help protect Oak Hammocks, Pine Flatwoods, Freshwater Marshes and riverine swamp habitats associated with Long Branch, a tributary to the Econlockhatchee River. The parcel will be open to the public on a limited basis in the future for passive activities such as hiking and wildlife observation.

By purchasing land that is adjacent to the existing Hal Scott Preserve Orange County is helping to establish wildlife corridors which help native plants and animals flourish.

The Neighborhood Lakes property is located in northwest Orange County off Mount Plymouth Road and will be managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Park Service. Neighborhood Lakes was a joint acquisition with Orange County, Lake County, State of Florida, St. Johns River Water Management District, and the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority. The parcel is approximately 1550 acres in size and the types of habitats found on the parcel include freshwater marsh, improved pasture, xeric hammock, and pine flatwoods. The property has high recharge value for the Floridian Aquifer and is located in the Wekiva Springshed Protection Area and is adjacent to Rock Springs Preserve. Future recreational opportunities for the site will be passive in nature.

The Fazio property is located in northwest Orange County off Rainey Road and is managed by the Orange County Environmental Protection Division. This property was purchased in 2005 through Orange County's Green PLACE Program. The parcel is 166 acres in size and the types of habitats found on the property include: Oak Hammock, improved pasture, and Freshwater Marsh. The property has high recharge value for the Floridian Aquifer. Orange County will be evaluating this site as a potential Gopher Tortoise relocation site in the near future. Future recreational opportunities for the site will be passive in nature.

The Nunnally and Evans property is located in east Orange County off of Old Cheney Highway and is managed by the Orange County Environmental Protection Division. This property was purchased in 2005 through the Orange County's Green PLACE Program. The parcel is 18.5 acres in size and is located in the floodplain of the Econlockhatchee River, an Outstanding Florida Water. Future recreational opportunities for the site will be passive in nature.

The Gloria Reid/Palmer Property is located in east Orange County off of East Colonial Drive and is managed by the Orange County Environmental Protection Division. This property was purchased in 2005 through the Orange County's Green PLACE Program and a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The parcel is 22 acres in size and is adjacent to the County's NRC Parcel. The types of habitat that are found on the property are unimproved pasture and Forested Hardwood Wetlands associated with Long Branch, a named tributary to the Econlockhatchee River. Orange County will be evaluating a borrow pit onsite for possible use as a storm water treatment area to help meet the TMDL requirements that have been established for Long Branch. Future recreational opportunities for the site will be passive in nature.

The Long Branch parcel is located in east Orange County off of County Road 13 and is managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Long Branch was a joint acquisition with Orange County, and the St. Johns River Water Management District. The parcel is approximately 550 acres in size and the types of habitat found on the parcel include unimproved pasture, Oak Hammock, Pine Flatwoods, Cypress Domes, and Forested wetland systems associated with the Long Branch Tributary. The parcel is adjacent to Hal Scott Preserve and the NRC parcel. Future recreational opportunities for the site will be passive in nature.

The Doddridge Shelby parcel is located in northeast Orange County off of Lake Pickett Road and will be managed by Environmental Protection Division Green PLACE program . The parcel was purchased in October 2007 through the Green PLACE program. The parcel is 87 acres in size and the types of habitats found on the parcel include Freshwater Marsh, improved pasture, Pine Flatwoods, Cypress Domes and Sloughs. The parcel is adjacent to the Joshua Creek Conservation Area. Future recreational opportunities for the site will be passive in nature.

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Beth Jackson, Environmental Program Supervisor

Beth Jackson joined the Environmental Protection Division in 1996 and has been the Environmental Program Supervisor of the Green PLACE program since 2001. Ms. Jackson's primary duties are the evaluation of environmentally sensitive lands that may be acquired through the Green PLACE Program. Beth manages Orange County's portion of the TM/Econ Mitigation Bank and assists with performing land management activities on the Green PLACE properties. She serves on several advisory boards that address regional issues such as the Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Advisory Group and Myregion.org. Ms. Jackson's actions help preserve Orange County's natural resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

• Email: beth.jackson@ocfl.net
• Phone: 407-836-1481

Mark Rizzo, Senior Environmental Specialist

Mark Rizzo joined the Green PLACE program in June 2007. He worked for the Volusia County Land Acquisition and Management Division before starting with Orange County EPD. Mark is a certified burn boss and he also holds a certificate in pesticide application. He will be performing land management activities on the Green PLACE properties including many duties such as the treatment and removal of exotic plants and animals, property assessment, habitat enhancement and restoration, management and operational plans, prescribed fire, and other resource management activities. Through these actions, Mark will be helping to promote ecological diversity on the Green PLACE properties.

• Email: mark.rizzo@ocfl.net
• Phone: 407-836-1536

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On June 5, 2007, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution establishing a Green PLACE Advisory Board. Green PLACE is Orange County's environmentally sensitive land acquisition and land management program. The function of the Advisory Board is to evaluate parcels for future acquisition, establish acquisition priorities, delineate and recommend polices relating to the uses of Green PLACE properties and for naming Green PLACE parcels.

Next Meeting: The April 16, 2008 meeting is CANCELED.  Meetings are generally held the third Wednesday of the month at the Enviornmental Protection Division, 800 Mercy Drive, Ste 4, Orlando, Panther Room (407) 836-1400.

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The following maps are from the 1995 Report entitled "Environmental Constraints Analysis and Development Suitability Mapping".

• Map 1: Existing Land Use (PDF- 1.2MB)
• Map 2: Floodplain Areas (PDF- 1.3MB)
• Map 3: Wetland Areas (PDF- 1.1MB)
• Map 4: Ecological Integrity (PDF- 1.3MB)
• Map 5: Vegetative Community Rareness (PDF- 1.1MB)
• Map 6: Habitat Corridors/Biological Connectivity (PDF- 1.2MB)
• Map 7: Wetland Dominance (PDF- 1.2MB)
• Map 8: Floodplain Dominance (PDF- 1.2MB)
• Map 9: Vegetative Biodiversity (PDF- 1.2MB)
• Map 10: Aquifer Recharge Potential (PDF- 1.2MB)
• Map 11: Special Water Quality Protection Area (PDF- 1.1MB)
• Map 12: Septic Tank Constraints (PDF- 1.3MB)
• Map 13: Ecological Constraints- Baseline (PDF- 1.3MB)
• Map 14: Ecological Constraints- Ecological Integrity Weighted (PDF- 1.3MB)
• Map 15: Ecological Constraints- Habitat Diversity Weighted (PDF- 1.3MB)
• Map 16: Ecological Constraints- Wetland Importance Weighted (PDF- 1.3MB)
• Map 17: Physical Constraints- Baseline (PDF- 1.3MB)

*Full report available on request. Please contact Beth Jackson at (407) 836- 1400.

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Learn about some of the important species that live in Orange County.

• Bald Eagle- A Threatened Species Living in Orange County (PDF- 648KB)
• Florida Black Bear- An Umbrella Species Living in Orange County (PDF- 708KB)
• Florida Burrowing Owl- A Species of Special Concern Living in Orange County (PDF- 1003KB)
• Florida Sandhill Crane- A Threatened Species Living in Orange County (PDF- 523KB)
• Gopher Tortoise- A Keystone Species Living in Orange County (PDF- 784KB)

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For more information about the Green PLACE program or to report land acquisition opportunities, contact Beth Jackson, Environmental Program Supervisor, at 407-836-1481 or beth.jackson@ocfl.net.

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