TPL-Florida Surveys Needs For St. Johns River

JACKSONVILLE, FL, 10/21/2009 – The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national conservation organization, today launched a survey to gather information about how residents of Jacksonville want to use the St. Johns River and Jacksonville’s waterfront. The online survey was launched today on www.coj.net, the City of Jacksonville’s website. It will be available through November 2009. (Direct link to survey here.)

“The St. Johns River is one of northeast Florida’s greatest natural assets and we want to help people here enjoy it more by conserving land along the river, providing a system of access points and destinations,” said Susan Grandin, Director of The Trust for Public Land’s Jacksonville office. “We want to hear what people in Jacksonville have to say about their experiences, needs and desires regarding waterfront places in Jacksonville. Our goal is to build a shared vision of a better and more accessible St. Johns River for all people – boaters and non-boaters alike.”

Mayor John Peyton said safeguarding the St. Johns River continues to be one of his administration’s key objectives. “The health of the river is important to this community both as a major economic driver and as a source of recreation for our citizens. Additionally, we are better able to attract new businesses, and their employees, to Jacksonville because of our community’s healthy and abundant natural resources. And, increasing public access to the St. Johns is a vital part of ensuring that resource’s health and vibrancy. I am committed to increased river access because it is crucial to Jacksonville’s economic development and our community’s future.”

“We appreciate the City of Jacksonville hosting the survey on their website. With their focus on the river, we are working together in this effort,” Grandin said.

TPL is a charitable organization, which has been working since 1972 to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and other natural places. TPL has protected more than 60 places in the St. Johns River watershed, including 14 which are directly on the 310-mile river or its tributaries.