Land will help buffer NAS Whiting

Some 626 acres of Northwest Florida's Wolfe Creek Forest has been acquired and added to the Blackwater River State Forest. The Trust for Public Land said the acquisition will protect Milton's Naval Air Station Whiting Field operations, water sources, provide public recreational activities, bird migration, and habitat for endangered species and other wildlife. TPL bought the land Oct. 18 from CF Florida LLC for $1,526,038.85, and sold it to the state for the same amount Nov. 4. Funding came by leveraging both Florida Forever funds with the Navy's contribution through its Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program. Protecting the property ensures the land adjacent to Whiting Field will not be incompatibly developed in ways that may limit flight operations and vital military training. (Source: Trust for Public Land, 11/14/15)