Page 4 - Hobe Sound Reflections - November '21
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Page 4, Hobe Sound

                                       Community Happenings




      First Milestone Achieved In                           The Loxa-Lucie Headwaters
      Ambitious Plan To Create                           Initiative is a collaboration
                                                         among three nonprofit 501(c)(3)
      Permanent Wildlife Corridor,                       environmental powerhouses,
                                                         specifically the Guardians
      Protect Hobe Sound Character                       of Martin County, the
                                                         Treasured Lands Foundation
         An innovative and ambitious plan christened the Loxa-  and The Conservation Fund.
      Lucie Headwaters Initiative, to create a permanently   The initiative has generated
      protected ecological corridor in south Martin County   widespread and growing support
      between the Loxahatchee and St. Lucie rivers, has   among citizens, community
      achieved a significant milestone with the purchase of its   groups, businesses and
      first 138 acres of land along Bridge Road in Hobe Sound.  government entities, including
         This two-mile long stretch of land fronts the north   the Town of Jupiter Island and
      side of Bridge Road and extends east and west from   the Martin County Board of
      Powerline Avenue. Its purchase is cause for celebration   County Commissioners, with
      as it forms the essential keystone of the long-term vision   Commissioner Harold Jenkins
      for conservation of a landscape spanning nearly 70,000   committing $50,000 in his
      acres, between and including Jonathan Dickinson State   district funds.
      Park and the Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park.      Ad di t i o na l l y ,  t h e
         The Loxa-Lucie Initiative’s purpose is to protect   Loxahatchee River
      adjacent properties from future development by either   Management  Coordinating
      acquisition or the establishment of conservation   Council, Friends of Jonathan
      easements. The objective is to create a permanent wildlife   Dickinson State Park, the
      buffer and ecological corridor connecting the two state   Rivers Coalition, the Martin
      parks. Very importantly, acquisition of this first parcel   County Chapter of the Florida
      will help improve water quality in the South Fork of the   Native Plant Society, the Hobe
      St. Lucie River and aid in restoring the historic sheet-flow   Sound Golf Club, Jupiter
      of fresh water that once moved from the Atlantic Ridge   Island Residents Association,
      to the federally designated Loxahatchee Wild and Scenic   and landowners along the
      River to the south.                                Bridge Road corridor have all
         Just as important, the initiative’s continuing acquisition   expressed their support.
      results will provide a permanent conservation buffer along      “While  we’re  celebrating  Location map that includes the boundary area for this 138-acre parcel
      Bridge Road, helping to protect the familiar character of   this milestone, we’ve got a long
      Hobe Sound by limiting future development along the   way to go. This initiative will not only benefit our natural   about the Loxa-Lucie Initiative and its noble objectives
      corridor. Historically, this land mass, called the Atlantic   lands, wildlife and water quality, but also preserve our   to contribute generously to its ongoing efforts to purchase
                                                                                                              16.6 x 17.8 @72dpi

      Ridge Ecosystem,  was recognized by  the state as the   small-town charm for all those who call this area home,”   adjacent and related properties in Martin County.
      critical component in the preservation of the Loxahatchee   said Greg Braun, executive director of the Guardians of      To make a tax-deductible contribution visit https://
                                                                                                                             filename: LL MAP EDIT v2
                                                                                   project: Loxa Lucie -Map edit
      Watershed and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River   Martin County and a member of the Loxa-Lucie Steering   support.conservationfund.org/site/Donation2.
      and was included in the Comprehensive Everglades   Committee. “And it’s a legacy project that will be enjoyed      To schedule a presentation to your group, contact Greg
      Restoration Program’s (CERP) Indian River Lagoon   by future generations to come.”                   Braun at (561) 758-3417 or dgregbraun@aol.com.
      South Project. The necessity to preserve the remaining      The Steering Committee urges all who care deeply      For more information, visit www.LoxaLucieHeadwaters.org.
      lands that are part of these important watersheds is greater
      than ever. Saltwater intrusion issues in the Loxahatchee,
      development pressure and rising real estate values are  Oxbridge Academy on the Move
      higher demand for potable fresh water, an increase in
      all driving this urgency.
         As the Steering Committee for the Loxa-Lucie     What does an acclaimed co-educational, independent  newly appointed athletic director Stan Ross, also the
      Initiative continues its campaign to generate funds   school – known for instilling values, building  boys’ lacrosse coach. “Oxbridge paused the football
      for  additional  land acquisition, it  has  also taken  its   character, emphasizing diversity, and creating a  program in 2018 with some safety concerns with some
      message to Tallahassee. “We’re raising awareness about   curriculum suited for individual choice – do when  of the games on the schedule and other reorganization
      the project to garner funding through Florida Forever,   it reaches its 10-year milestone? In the case of  decisions.” Ross adds. “COVID-19 delayed our plans
      a well-established statewide program to buy land for   Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach it adds a  a little, however we feel we are ready for the return of
      conservation and recreation,” explained Matt Sexton,
      senior vice president and southeast regional director   middle school for grades seven and eight and brings  football as a junior varsity sport next fall and varsity
      for conservation acquisition for The Conservation Fund   back one of its signature athletic programs, football  competition in the years to come.”
      and Loxa-Lucie Steering Committee member. “Our      along with a return of its cheerleading team. The
      immediate goal is to boost the ranking of the Atlantic   Oxbridge Academy Middle School opened its doors  The athletic program also includes baseball,
      Ridge Ecosystem project on the Florida Forever list.”  in August and football is set to return to campus in  basketball, cross-country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse,
                                                          the fall of 2022.                                sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, track & field,
                                                                                                           tennis, girls volleyball, and girls flag football. Over
                                                          “When we began planning for our 10-year anniversary  the years, many Oxbridge student-athletes have
                                                          and identified ways to build on our strong foundation,  received scholarships to play at the next level in
                                                          a  middle school and bringing back our football  college.
                                                          program were a big part of the conversation,”
                                                          explained Oxbridge Head of School Ralph Maurer.  Academically, Oxbridge boasts an average class
                                                          The school’s 10-year milestone also coincided with  size of 14, a 9:1 student/faculty ratio, and a faculty
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