Florida Wildlife Corridor Threatened By Developers

An area of Volusia County known as the "Palmetto Curtain" is feeling the pressure from development. Environmentalists want immediate steps taken to preserve the area.

1 minute read

June 11, 2001, 9:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"Locals call it the "Palmetto Curtain," a Cold War-inspired nickname for the imaginary line that politically divides Volusia County into east and west. The "Curtain" also is a vast swath of palmetto scrub, pine forests and pastures that forms Volusia County's geographic spine. And it has dual functions -- it acts like a thirsty sponge, soaking up rain and filling the aquifer that provides drinking water, and serving as a highway for wildlife. The area has long been considered an environmental jewel, but now developers are seeing it as the source of more tangible treasure." The booming growth of Central Florida has promoted new housing construction in the area. Activists want to stop the piecemeal rural development before the corridor is destroyed.

Thanks to Christian Peralta

Sunday, June 10, 2001 in The Orlando Sentinel

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight