The Sierra Club’s Florida Chapter presented the Osprey Award to Fritz Musselmann, land resources director for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, today at the District’s Governing Board meeting.
The Osprey Award recognizes extraordinary efforts to promote or effect changes in policy or practice to protect or preserve Florida’s environment and is given annually to a government employee.
Musselmann was recognized for his role in the acquisition of the Overstreet ranch property. Representing the District as the lead agency, Musselmann negotiated a price of approximately $53,700,000 for the 5,118-acre property. Under the agreement, which was reached within ten months, Polk County will contribute $5 million, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the District will split the remaining costs.
“I really appreciate the recognition,” said Musselmann. “However, I can assure you that this award would not have come to me without the hard work, dedication and trustworthiness of the land department staff.”
Marian Ryan, Green Swamp Issue Chair for the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club, said Musselmann’s negotiating skills and real estate knowledge were necessary to reach an acceptable deal among the owners, the county, the FDEP and the District.
The Overstreet parcel is within the District’s Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County and is slated to become a state park.
“The acquisition of this property, and other parcels within the Green Swamp, would not have been possible without the support of this Governing Board, and previous Governing Boards,” said Musselmann.
The Green Swamp region consists of 870 square miles (560,000 acres), of which more than 260,000 acres have been protected through public ownership and conservation easements. This includes nearly 118,000 acres acquired by the District. Due to its large size, relatively undisturbed nature and diversity of natural habitats, the public lands within the Green Swamp are recognized as one of the most significant natural areas remaining in the state of Florida.