A citizen journey to save a last island of Nature in a fast growing city
In January 2015, Brevard County began listing surplus properties for sale, including a 114-acre parcel surrounded by the Springs of Suntree, Mandarin Lakes, Devon’s Glen, and Capron Ridge neighborhoods. But the narrow roads weren’t built to handle more development, and the land was home to an estimated 400 gopher tortoises. Relocating them would have been both expensive and harmful.
Local residents and environmentalists raised their voices in opposition. The County Commissioners listened and voted unanimously against the sale. In response, a task force—GREAT! (Green Space Environmental Activists Task Force)—was formed to determine the best use of the land. People from the surrounding neighborhoods, along with conservationists from across the county, met monthly to envision a future rooted in preservation.
At the same time, four local teachers known as the “Space Coast Eco Geeks” were looking for land to learn how to use wildlife camera traps. They used this site throughout the 2015–2016 school year, capturing thousands of wildlife images and ultimately naming the site “Hundred Acre Hollows.”
In October 2016, GREAT! presented its findings to the County Commission, recommending the land be used for conservation and STEM education. The county agreed—on the condition a nonprofit be formed to manage it.
And on October 25, 2016, Hundred Acre Hollows, Inc. was officially born with a mission to:
