Founded in 1992,The Gulf Coast Conservancy (GCC) of Florida facilitated permanent protection of over 75,000 acres of sensitive coastal lands in Hernando and Pasco counties.
After 32 years of dedicated volunteer work to preserve our local natural environment the Gulf Coast Conservancy has chosen to move our resources and support to the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. We’re very proud of what we have accomplished and we hope that others will be inspired by our success. Here are some images that tell where we started, in 1992, when nothing in our area was preserved, to 2025, with tens of thousands of acres are now in public ownership.
Click for a larger version.
Key Achievements
Land Preservation and Acquisition: The GCC was a not-for-profit local land trust that worked in partnership with government agencies (such as the Southwest Florida Water Management District [SWFWMD]) to acquire and preserve sensitive natural areas.
Establishment of the Weeki Wachee Preserve: A major early success involved the negotiation for the purchase of the Oak Sound property in 1994, which halted a proposed development of 6,000 homes and shops. This led to the creation of the 7,000-acre Weeki Wachee Preserve.
Creation of the Aripeka Coastal Greenway (ACG): The Conservancy proposed and actively worked to complete the ACG, an extension of the Weeki Wachee Preserve. Through their facilitation, numerous parcels were acquired, including the 210-acre Aripeka Heights property in 2007, which prevented the construction of 250 homes in critical Florida Black Bear habitat.
Wildlife Corridor Expansion: The GCC played a key role in the expansion of the Nature Coast Greenway and Wildlife Corridor, which resulted in the preservation of tens of thousands of acres by various public agencies, creating safe pathways and habitats for native species.
Public Education and Advocacy: The Conservancy engaged in public education through various community events, press articles, and presentations. Its members served on numerous environmental and land conservation committees, providing a voice for nature in land-use decisions and advocating for habitat preservation at county commission and planning meetings.
Bear Research Initiative: The organization initiated a bear hotline in 1995, the data from which led to a multi-year cooperative study of the local bear population by biologists from SWFWMD and the University of Kentucky.
Presence in the Community
GCC members were a common sight at community events throughout the Nature Coast.
- Press articles, radio programs.
- Partnerships with other organizations, Pascowildlife, Hernando Audubon, Gulf Restoration Network, Defenders of Wildlife.
- GCC board participation in State Parks Planning, and Environmental and Land Conservation initiatives.
- Planning Awards from the Sons of Norway, Conservation Group of the Year from the Land Trust Alliance, Florida Greenways Commission Grant.
- Service on the Interagency Bear Working Group, Hernando Environmental Sensitive Lands Committee, Pasco ELASC, River Task Force, Pasco County Greenways, Trails & Blueways Advisory Committee.
- Testified before Hernando and Pasco Development Review, Planning and Zoning, and Boards of County Commissioners to insure habitat preservation is considered in land use decisions.
-
Initiated an Ecotourism program for Hernando County.
-
Participation in events: Swampfest, Umatilla Bear Festival, Crystal River National Wildlife Celebration, Crews Lake Earth Day Celebrations.
-
Supported larger sanctuary for manatees in Homosassa in 2001.
-
Educational presentations for civic groups and at yearly public meetings.
-
Chosen by FFWC to Beta Test new software.