Seminole County leaders seek to protect rural land

SANFORD – Conservation and development are taking center stage in Seminole County as commissioners are looking at protecting rural enclaves within urban areas.

David Bear is a lifelong Floridian, and the president of Save Rural Seminole.

“What I love about Florida is being able to take them out to the springs, take them out to the wilderness area where they can do some hiking and see what real natural Florida is,” Bear said.

Bear’s advocating has led to a change in Seminole County. He now sits on the Seminole Forever board, looking at rural areas to buy with the general fund to preserve as natural lands for the public to use.

The Seminole County Board of Commissioners is set to finalize a revamp in the application process for natural lands during Tuesday’s meeting.