Florida Governor Jeb Bush signs the Babcock Ranch Preserve Act

When we began this remarkable journey less than a year ago, and set our sights on the ambitious goal of preserving this historic ranch for future generations, there were many who believed it could not be done.

But the skeptics underestimated the determination of our Governor, the Florida Cabinet, and outstanding public servants like DEP Secretary Colleen Castille and DEP Division of State Lands Director Eva Armstrong, many of the County Commissioners, our local Legislators and community leaders. Their commitment to preserving this special place has never wavered – and they, along with the dedicated staff at the Department of Environmental Protection, the Division of State Lands, the Department of Community Affairs and Charlotte and Lee Counties, have worked tirelessly to make this event possible.

The signing of the Babcock Ranch Preserve Act on Monday, June 19th, 2006 was an historic occasion, and I am very proud to have been a part of it. I am also pleased to have been able to share it with so many of the people who deserve credit for the remarkable achievement. The commitment to preserving this ranch has been simply astounding.

The leaders of Charlotte and Lee County are high on the list of those who I must thank. County Commissioners and their staff have put in thousands of hours and we all owe tremendous gratitude to them - and to all of the Southwest Florida legislators who championed the cause in Tallahassee including bill sponsors Mike Bennett, Trudi Williams and Paula Dockery and to local legislators like Paige Kreegle, Mike Grant and Dudley Goodlette.

We are also indebted to the hundreds of citizens who have given of their time and talents and stepped up to voice their support as we’ve worked to address concerns and demonstrate that responsible growth and preservation can work hand in hand. I would also like to thank the entire Kitson & Partners team and our partners at Morgan Stanley.

It has been an incredible year. Together, we have built a remarkable private/public partnership. We have also set a new standard for responsible growth for current and future generations. Most importantly, together we have seized the opportunity of a lifetime.

We must also not forget to thank those who laid the foundation for this achievement. This environmental treasure we’re celebrating did not survive the last eighty years by accident. It is the result of diligent effort by a family committed to responsible land management. For more than eighty years, Babcock Ranch has thrived under the stewardship of the Babcock Family and their outstanding management team.

I am very proud of the fact that, with the Governor’s signing of this important bill, we are able to honor and hopefully extend that legacy by preserving this land for generations to come. As we congratulate each other on this unprecedented achievement, however, we must realize that the shared vision of preserving Babcock Ranch has not yet been fully achieved.

Our commitment to save Babcock Ranch has been endorsed by many of the leading environmental groups, but the sale to the State, scheduled for July 25th, is in jeopardy because there are some who still don’t comprehend or understand the consequences if this unique initiative to preserve Babcock Ranch does not succeed. The facts are clear. Babcock Ranch will be sold. It will be sold this year and it will be sold to a developer in the private sector. The unique public-private partnership that Kitson & Partners has forged with the State is the last opportunity for over 80% of the ranch to be preserved forever. That is the simple truth. I have great hope that our initiative that results in this unprecedented chance for preservation, will win the day.

With hope for the future, I want to thank each and every one of you who have worked so hard to make our shared vision a reality.