Fort Worth Boosts Green Spaces with Strategic Land Acquisitions for Conservation Program

The city’s dedication to protecting its natural areas has been strengthened with the recent approval of two significant land acquisitions by the Fort Worth City Council in support of the Open Space Conservation Program. Over the next five years, 10,000 acres will be protected as part of Mayor Mattie Parker’s “Good Natured Greenspace Initiative,” strengthening the local park system. The official news website of the City of Fort Worth reports that these new land parcels offer important conservation potential.

The Mahaffey Project, which consists of 41.667 acres along Mahafy Street in northwest Fort Worth, was authorized for purchase for a maximum price of $1.73 million. The site serves as a buffer landscape for an environmentally sensitive area and an alternate entry to the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. The site’s restoring prairie and excellent riparian tree canopy earned it a moderate to high conservation priority rating from an Open Space Working Group. The release emphasizes how this acquisition, which was funded by the 2022 Bond Program Fund, supports broad objectives including flood control and ecological protection.

The Collier Project will expand the city’s conservation portfolio by around 152.5 acres, which will be located in the upper reaches of the Silver Creek watershed. The tract, which was acquired for up to $3.95 million from Pioneer Land & Cattle Co. and W.R. Collier, is home to the Fort Worth Prairie ecosystems and the endangered Cross-Timbers woodland. As detailed by theCity of Fort Worth’s official news, these lands are essential for water quality, aligning with the Lake Worth Greenprint Plan established with the Trust for Public Land. It also discusses the importance of recreation and the need for flood control. Future management and promotion of the area will be determined by master planning, which may include adding additional trail connections to include it in the City’s Active Transportation Plan.

Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!