Dade County wins $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for community forest; county seeks additional grants to reach acquisition and restoration goals

Dade County officials said they have been awarded a $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant toward acquiring and developing a community forest on Lookout Mountain that county leaders estimate could total roughly 620–650 acres.

Why it matters: The project would protect and develop publicly accessible trails and open space and is expected to be funded by a mix of county funds already set aside, the LWCF award and additional external grants. Commissioners said the purchase price and development plan were structured so the county would not lose property tax revenue because the property is already off the local tax digest.

County officials described a multi‑grant funding strategy: the county has committed approximately $500,000 or similar local funds as match and is pursuing additional grants that could bring total project funding to $1.2M or more for land purchase and an additional $1.2M for restoration and trail development, depending on grant outcomes. Commissioners reported an initial $50,000 earnest payment that has already been expended under an earlier authorization.

Officials said the grant does not obligate the county to complete purchase if later due diligence or funding shortfalls emerge; staff were authorized to accept the LWCF grant and continue pursuing complementary funding. The county also noted the land is already excluded from the tax digest, so acquisition does not reduce existing tax receipts.

Ending: County leaders said the grant award advances a multi‑year effort to secure a sizable community forest for recreation and conservation and that staff will continue grant applications and due diligence work, including survey and soil analyses, before final acquisition steps.