ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to transfer $1.5 million from the Tree Bank Fund to the county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program, restoring LAMP’s annual allocation to $2 million and boosting conservation without raising taxes.
The one-time budget transfer returns LAMP to its previous funding level after the program had been operating on a $500,000 base allocation. County staff presented funding options at the board’s request during the Jan. 20 regular meeting.
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The Tree Bank Fund, created under the St. Johns County Land Development Code, is authorized for conservation, natural-preserve protection, environmental mitigation, wildlife habitat preservation and land acquisition when those purchases mitigate the loss of treed acreage or wildlife displacement. The fund had a reserve balance of $2.3 million at the start of fiscal 2026.
“By aligning existing non-property-tax-based financial tools, the Board is strengthening its commitment to protecting environmentally significant lands in a way that is both effective and fiscally responsible,” County Administrator Joy Andrews said. “We have found a way to enhance natural preservation without placing an additional burden on our taxpayers — and that is a win for our community.”
LAMP, established by Ordinance 2021-38, focuses on acquiring and conserving environmentally sensitive, historic, archaeological and recreational lands.
The program prioritizes wildlife habitat, aquifer recharge areas, green space, natural corridors and passive recreation, supporting the county’s strategic priorities for enhanced conservation and community well-being.
County officials said the Tree Bank Fund’s historical revenues and expenditures show it can support conservation land acquisition while continuing to meet other authorized uses, including capital improvements, beautification projects and environmental mitigation.
Each potential acquisition will undergo environmental evaluation and must meet legal standards in the Land Development Code to ensure a clear public and environmental benefit.
The funding strategy reflects the county’s effort to preserve environmentally significant lands while maintaining fiscal responsibility and honoring existing conservation programs.
For more information on LAMP and county conservation initiatives, visit www.sjcfl.us/LAMP