Aspalaga Bluffs Now Off Limits
July 8, 2002
St. Joe Co. Transfers 500-Acre Natural-Area Parcel To The Nature Conservancy
Inman News Features
The St. Joe Co. (NYSE: JOE) announced the transfer of Aspalaga Bluffs in southwest Gadsden County to The Nature Conservancy. The 500-acre parcel protects two miles of the Apalachicola River and is considered to be one of Florida's most unique natural areas. St. Joe Chairman Peter S. Rummell said the transaction demonstrates that the company can take actions that are in the public's and its shareholders' interests.
Bob Bendick, director of The Nature Conservancy's Florida Chapter, said the agreement is important in itself and is "part of a longstanding effort by The St. Joe Co. to identify and offer for sale many critically important tracts of conservation land in northwest Florida and south Georgia."
Woody Miley of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve said protecting the two miles of the Apalachicola River will "make a significant contribution to protecting the Apalachicola River and Bay watershed."
Miley said St. Joe since 1984 has helped protect 76 square miles of lands in this watershed, including bay-front salt marsh interface lands and associated drainages and high bluffs and ravines drains.
Aspalaga Bluffs is known for its collection of endangered plants and animals. The site also contains pre-historic archaeological sites and was the site of the original Aspalaga Landing, one of two regional upper Apalachicola River ferry crossings in the 1800s, according to St. Joe Co.
The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to preserving plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based St. Joe is one of Florida's largest real estate operating companies.
Copyright: Inman News Service
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