MARTIN COUNTY — Martin County’s voter-approved land conservation program is continuing its work despite a lack of new funding for one of its longtime state partners.
Martin County Forever was approved by voters in 2024 as a half-cent sales tax dedicated to acquiring land for conservation. The program generates about $20 million annually to preserve environmentally sensitive lands in perpetuity.
One of the program’s key partners has been Florida Forever, the state’s flagship land conservation program. While Florida Forever did not receive additional funding in the state’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget, county officials say the slowdown is not expected to derail local conservation efforts…