Land Trust Purchases 111-acre Bee Gum Point Property
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River Land Trust recently completed the purchase of the 111-acre Bee Gum Point property. In 2009, the IRLT Board of Directors commenced its Lagoon Waterfront Initiative with the vision of protecting the remaining undeveloped land on the Lagoon’s east and west shores in Indian River County.
Bee Gum Point is the last remaining undeveloped wetland on the barrier island and is a key property in the protection of an important block of conservation lands along the Indian River Lagoon. The area will remain as a natural area for conservation and will be available for periodic IRLT guided walking and bird watching tours. IRLT has purchased 5 parcels totaling about 170 acres along the Lagoon in the last 15 months and now owns over 250 acres with about 2 miles of frontage on the Indian River Lagoon.
Financing for this acquisition was provided by The Conservation Fund through its Land Trust Loan program. The Bee Gum Point project is the Fund’s first loan in Florida.
“Land conservation begins at your back door, and every community has a few favorite places that residents love and hope to save,” said Matt Sexton, vice president of The Conservation Fund. “The Indian River Land Trust is an organization that is doing amazing work, and we are ecstatic to have the opportunity to assist them in the protection of Bee Gum Point. The Conservation Fund is fortunate to call the Indian River Land Trust a partner and is pleased to continue our work in Indian River County.”
The Land Trust is very excited about its success in acquiring and permanently protecting this important conservation property.
“This is an historic purchase for IRLT which will open the door for our organization’s continued efforts of preserving wildlife, protecting our scenic waterfront, and providing access to our precious Indian River Lagoon,” said Ken Grudens, Executive Director of the Land Trust.
For more information on the Indian River Land Trust visit www.irlt.org.