Nature conservancy finds sellers

Florida developers are among the many land owners nationwide who are trying to sell off their holdings now that they’re unable to finance their building projects. Environmental groups have emerged as willing buyers. Keith Fountain, director of land acquisition for the Nature Conservancy’s Florida chapter, says the group is nearly overwhelmed by prospective sellers trying to shed their property holdings. He says the land must meet rigorous criteria if it is going to be purchased. The Florida conservancy recently closed deals on between 85,000 and 100,000 acres worth about $380 million, compared with about 45,000 acres secured for $260 million during all of 2006.