Martin County Forever: ELOC Recommends 16 Properties for Land Conservation

---

Public invited to attend or tune into October 21 BOCC meeting

STUART, Fla. – The Martin County Forever Land Acquisition Sales Tax program is moving toward its next major milestone.

At its September 5 meeting, the Environmental Land Oversight Committee (ELOC) recommended 16 properties for acquisition or easements through the Martin County Forever Land Acquisition Sales Tax. The recommendations will now be reviewed by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at its October 21 meeting, where commissioners will determine which projects move forward as potential acquisitions.

Martin County Forever is the county’s voter-approved land conservation program, funded by a half-cent sales surtax approved in November 2024. Dedicated solely to protecting natural lands and water resources, the program safeguards wildlife habitat and helps maintain the county’s quality of life for generations to come. Since collections began in January 2025, the sales tax has generated more than $10.1 million through June, with revenues projected to reach $12 million by the end of September and an estimated $20 million in Fiscal Year 2026.

Top-Ranked Properties

ELOC ranked 16 properties and the following properties received the highest rankings:

1. Whitworth Farms (2,262 acres) – A corridor linking Cove Road to the county line, identified as one of the most important tracts to conserve.
2. Elise J. Property (322 acres) – Located in Pal Mar and within the Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) footprint, advancing restoration goals.
3. Thall Family Partnership (1,400 acres) – A Pal Mar property eligible for Florida Forever partnerships with potential for multiple recreational uses.
4. Perry Beach Addition (1 acre) – An oceanfront parcel that would expand Perry Beach Preserve.

Additional properties ranked by ELOC include Palm Beach Heights, Kresser Parcel, Burstein/Hixon Parcel, Jane Wild Parcel, SS Farms, Leonard Property, JR Stuart Land, Turnpike Dairy, Rogers Atlantic Ridge Property, Poinciana Gardens, Pettway Property, and Rodgers – The Conservation Fund Property. More information on these properties can be found on MartinCountyForever.com/lands. 

The committee unanimously voted to recommend all 16 properties to the BOCC, which will review them on October 21.

Other Projects in Motion

Bar B Ranch – A 1,700-acre conservation easement has been finalized, combining $5 million in county surtax funds with $12 million in state contributions. State approval was secured on September 30.

Pal Mar – More than 300 parcels within Pal Mar are being prioritized for acquisition. This vast mosaic of wetlands, uplands, and wildlife corridors is a long-term county conservation priority.

“Our role is to ensure these funds reflect the will of Martin County voters by preserving lands that protect water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and maintain the character of our county for generations to come,” said ELOC Chair Jim Snedeker.

The Board of County Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to consider the ELOC recommendations. The public is encouraged to attend in person at the BOCC Chambers or tune in online to follow the discussion and decisions.

Meeting Details:
Martin County Board of County Commission Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.
Location: 
Martin County Administrative Center - County Commission Chambers
2401 SE Monterey Rd in Stuart

Access: The meeting is open to the public and will also be broadcast on MCTV at  https://www.martin.fl.us/watch-mctv and on the county’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/MartinCountyBoardofCountyCommissioners

For more information and maps of the properties under consideration, visit MartinCountyForever.com.