Save The English Forest (SAVE TEF) Mission:
To PRESERVE The English Property's wetland/upland hardwood forest ecosystems in order to PROTECT the most vulnerable underlying aquifer within the Wakulla Springs Basin... Ultimately, to CONSERVE interconnected regional ‘surface and subterranean’ natural wonders that sustain terrestrial and aquatic biodiversities indispensable in the Woodville Karst Plain… As a lasting legacy for Florida.
Save
the English
Forest
March 22, 2023, marked a year...
On Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 the Tallahassee City Commission unanimously voted to rezone the remaining 494± acres of the English Forest for commercial and residential development.Now that the remaining 494± acres has been designated as part of the English Planned Unit Development (PUD), SAVE TEF's Proposed Project for the Florida Forever New Project April 2023 is currently being reviewed by the Acquisition and Restoration Council.
~~~This 250 acre Proposed Project, the English Forest Preserve, with a 3 mile passive Nature Corridor will run north–south within the PUD from Orange Avenue to Tram Road to protect wetlands, sinkholes, a ravine. Additionally, this proposed Preserve would be an extension of nature corridors that already exist between well-established IndianHead and Blairstone Forest neighborhoods.(Proposed Project, The English Forest Preserve, map is with the PETITION.)
Please Sign the PETITION HERE.This new petition with online and physical signatures will be respectfully presented by SAVE TEF on June 9 at the ARC New Project Proposal First Vote Meeting.
~~~UPDATE (May 03, 2023)
SAVE TEF is pleased, the City of Tallahasse has agreed to be the Mananging Entity of our proposed project, the English Forest Preserve. With the City's letter of commitment, SAVE TEF had submitted our Florida Forever New Project application on April 26, 2023.On June 9th, there will be a Florida Forever/ ARC Public Testimony and
will have a First Vote for April, 2023 Proposed Projects.
~~~
Please continue to advocate SAVE TEF's efforts by contacting
all City Commissioners at once HERE
or reach out individually to ask the City for their support to reach out to the State, requesting Florida Forever ARC (Acquisition and Restoration Council)
to review fairly SAVE TEF's recent application for the proposed
English Forest Preserve.Mayor John Dailey
Phone: 850-891-2000
Email: [email protected]Jacqueline "Jack" Porter
Phone: 850-891-8191
Email: [email protected]Curtis Richardson
Phone: 850-891-8181
Email: [email protected]Jeremy Matlow
Phone: 850-891-8188
Email: [email protected]Mayor Pro-Tem Dianne Williams-Cox
Phone: 850-891-8502
Email: [email protected]FOLLOW Save the English Forest on FACEBOOK, to stay up to date
About
We are a local group of community residents, associations, and advocates collectively VOLUNTEERING to raise awareness and to preserve one of Tallahassee's last remaining intact forest land, located in the southeast corner of the city. Learn more about the planned use development of the English Forest below.
join us
This SATURDAY_05/27 _10:30 ~ Noon, ZOOM GatheringPlease join us to discuss SAVE TEF progress and to strategize for May...(For ZOOM link, please email: [email protected])
updates
Now more than ever, it is important for residents to reach out to the Tallahassee City Commissioners and to ask them to support our efforts, in cooperation with the English family, to preserve as existing forest land. Click the link below to get the most current information and read local news articles about the project.
The forest
Since the City of Tallahassee (COT) approved the remaining 494± acre to be rezoned and included in the English Property PUD, the majority of this vulnerable forested ecosystem may succumb to constructions of 10,000 units of single and multi-story residentials, and office/commercial complexes (see proposed land use plan maps above).Since 2012, 245 acres of 770 ± English Property was approved, rezoned & clear-cut, resulting in the VA Hospital, Russell Office Park, Lullwater Apartments near Southwood Publix.1) Recently Clearcut to Construct:
The Hathaway (35 acres, 13 buildings, 306 apartments, 517 parking spaces) on
Blairstone Road, across from Lullwater Apartments (in currently proposed 494± PUD)2) Still in Review:
The Orange Ave (22 acres, 8 buildings, 192 apartments, 251 parking spaces), on the corner of Orange Ave & S Blairstone Road (in 2012 permitted and rezoned)What Can I Do to Help SAVE the Remaining 494± Acre Forest?
• ACT COLLECTIVELY• Raise awareness - tell your family, neighbors, friends about the significance of this majestic forest.• Attend upcoming meetings and become an active participant. This is the best way to stay informed on our work to preserve as much of the critical forest ecosystem as possible.• Email your concerns about flooding, density, traffic congestion, safety, home value to ALL City Commissioners, appealing them to not approve any development plan for the property that does not include sufficient green spaces identified for preservation.How Will This English Property PUD Amendment Affect Me?Unchecked constructions of 10,000 units of residential/office/commercial complexes on entire forested English Property PUD, will result in:• Increased flooding from heavy rain, stormwater runoff due to expansive impervious surfaces. According to FEMA, properties in west of Hilaman Golf Course, the entire Blairstone Forest, Indianhead, and South City communities are in HIGH RISK areas for flooding.• Increased pollutants in water runoffs, including toxins from vehicles & residential/office/commercial complexes, and sediments from construction site practices.• Increased air & noise pollution. The forest has been vital to reducing local climate changes by absorbing air pollutants, releasing oxygen in exchange and blocking wind and noise.• Increased traffic on Blairstone Road, Orange Avenue, South Monroe, and Lake Bradford during rush hours.• Increased human densities with inadequate infrastructure, including emergency services and schools leading to MORE crime, trash, and sewage, resulting in steep declines in safety and property value.• Adverse affects to vulnerable natural resources. With active, vulnerable Karst features in this forest, toxic seepage entering the underground Floridan Aquifer will accelerate contamination of the Wakulla Springs.• Displacement and extinction of existing wildlife, including endangered/threatened speciesS
Our Next GATHERING
Join us at our next community GATHERING as we share updates and changes to the English Property PUD. GATHERINGS are open to all, and your concerns, suggestions matter. GATHERINGS are often at Jack McLean Community Center, due to its proximity to the English Property PUD on Paul Russell Road.GATHERING Minutes
Note: Minutes after May 21, 2022 are available upon request
May 21, 2022
May 7, 2022
February 26, 2022
February 12, 2022
February 5, 2022
updates
In the News
Tallahassee Democrat
WFSU
Our Tallahassee
The RevelatorCommission Meetings
Follow the links to view past public hearings by the Tallahassee City Commission regarding the development.
March 23, 2022 (begin at 4:25:51)
February 16, 2022 (begin 3:01:17)
December 8, 2021 (begin 2:15:07)
November 10, 2021 (begin 3:01:17)Printable Flyers
Yard Sign
Tip: set printer to 'scale to fit: fill entire page' to automatically print the sign on any size paper
Informational Handout
Developer's Proposed Land Use Plan Revised June 2022
Appeal page 1
Appeal page 2