Saving Julington-Durbin Preserve!

July 2, 2018
1 min read

THE THREAT

The last remaining wild Florida paradise that has not been paved over inside the Bartram Park community was under threat. Julington-Durbin Preserve is a 2,031-acre peninsula formed at the confluence of Julington and Durbin creeks. The property was purchased in 2001 for $16.5 million as part of Jacksonville’s Preservation Project, a land acquisition program conceived by Mayor John Delaney to manage growth, protect environmentally sensitive lands, improve water quality, and provide access to the City’s natural areas.

The developers who originally sold the Julington-Durbin Preserve property to the City of Jacksonville and State of Florida for conservation wanted it back. J. Thomas Dodson and Eastland Partners, the developers of the adjacent Bartram Park mixed-use community, are now proposing to build 1,400 homes inside the heart of Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve. To do this, they are offering to exchange property on Black Hammock Island for 407 acres within the Preserve. Due to resident’s outcry and persistence by local environmental activists this project has been abandoned. But readers, BEWARE!! This could happen again and there is a lot a stake for our community so keeping our voices heard is essential.

FOREVER?

This land was meant to be protected as a preserve for water quality, habitat, and for the benefit of future generations – forever. If we allow this property to be developed and swapped to preserve another piece of land, who’s to say that in 20 years the land it was swapped for will no longer be seen as a land worth protecting? Gutting one preserve for the sake of the other is a scary precedent. We should put our energy in protecting both, encourage our elected officials to stand up, and look at our lands holistically for the sake of our river and our city.

WHAT WE COULD LOSE

  • Julington Durbin Preserve contains nine unique ecosystems including extensive floodplain wetlands and upland pine scrub.
  • The Preserve has 22 documented archeological sites, including a prehistoric burial mound, several prehistoric campsites, and remains from early nineteenth century buildings.
  • Backyard oasis for community residents to hike, paddle, bike, run, and explore.

WE ARE CONCERNED that developing this property would result in:

  • loss of critical habitat for plants and death of wildlife
  • poorer water quality in Julington and Durbin Creeks and the St. Johns River
  • more flooding
  • traffic congestion
  • and will set a precedent of opening up other conservation lands to development

 

Together, our collective voices to send a strong message to our politicians and developers!

Kelly Thompson
Outreach Director
St. Johns Riverkeeper
Kelly's job responsibilities include expanding the St. Johns Riverkeeper's geographic outreach efforts by organizing engaging community events and programs, developing partnerships with local organizations and businesses, and connecting citizens to the water through everyday action
opportunities along the St. Johns River. A Georgia native, Kelly grew up spending summers on the coast, where her outside experiences kept her closely connected to the water and everything it touched. With a strong passion for marine conservation, Kelly received her Bachelor of Science in
Biology from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Before joining the St. Johns Riverkeeper team, she started her coastal career as a Naturalist and Sea Turtle Technician on Sea Island, GA (one of Georgia’s 14 barrier islands) and spent four years working in coastal outreach and education
with One Hundred Miles, an environmental advocacy nonprofit on the Georgia coast. In coastal Florida, Kelly has also worked with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program conducting wild bottlenose dolphin research and coordinated sea turtle rehabilitation and education efforts with
Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys nature photography, kayaking, and a good book. With a recent move to Jacksonville, she is looking forward to exploring the natural
wonders of Florida and everything the St. Johns River has to offer.

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