Florence County: Balancing Growth and Green Spaces

Florence County is at a crossroads. It's growing fast, with new homes, factories, and jobs popping up everywhere. But the county is also thinking about its future and wants to make sure it doesn't lose its green spaces in the process. They're working on a plan to protect special places like wetlands, forests, and farms. But they need the community's help to figure out what's most important to save. Three groups are helping with this plan: Trust for Public Land, Weston and Sampson, and the Open Space Institute. They're not just looking to lock away land and forget about it. Instead, they want to create a plan that can change over time as more land is protected. This plan will guide how the county preserves its natural treasures.The county has already made some progress. A few years ago, only 1. 5% of the land was conserved. Now, that number is up to 5%. But there's still a lot more to do. The county wants to know what matters most to its residents. Should they focus on places with historical significance? Or maybe areas that are important for wildlife? The choice is up to the community. Some people think conservation means land must stay completely untouched. But that's not the only way. Land can be conserved for different reasons. For example, a farm can keep working while still being protected. Or land can be saved for education, like the 8, 460 acres of forestland that was recently conserved for Francis Marion University. Even private landowners can join in by putting their property into land trusts. The county is also thinking about how conservation can help the economy. Protected lands can attract tourists and make the county a more appealing place for businesses. It's not just about saving land; it's about making the county a better place to live and visit.