Tall Timbers Field Trip 

ICG is offering a 2-day program on land use, planning, and environmental stewardship.   The program begins with a field trip to Tall Timbers on Thursday, March 20, the day after FAC’s Legislative Day. Tall Timbers is one of the largest regional land trusts in the nation, permanently protecting over 145,000 acres of private land in the Red Hills and Albany regions. It is also an internationally recognized research station with over 60 years of experience studying fire-adapted ecosystems and advocating for prescribed fire use. Following a half-day day of field education, a reception will be held at the Tall Timbers Research Facility overlooking Lake Iamonia. 

Growth Management and Land Use Decisions 

The second day (Friday, March 21) provides commissioners with a comprehensive review of planning and growth management in Florida.  The class begins with the premise that local land use and zoning decisions are often the most important – if not the most controversial – actions county officials can make.   Land use variances, special exceptions, conditional uses, concurrency, and quasi-judicial decisions are only a few of the terms that confront a new commissioner.   This course is designed to give commissioners an understanding of the history of land use planning in Florida and how we got where we are today.  Participants will learn the realities of implementing comprehensive plans including how amendments, development approvals, and exceptions should be handled.