Anna Crocitto Photography/@Anna_crocitto / Courtesy Conservation Florida
A rare stretch of the Florida Wildlife Corridor in eastern Polk County will be forever protected as the Bellini Preserve, thanks to Arnie Bellini, writes WUSF NPR. The article highlights the critical impact of the preservation and the fact it will bear the name of the man who made it possible.
Arnie Bellini’s foresight secured this 639-acre haven of hardwood forests, scrublands, freshwater marshlands, and swamplands, including 3 1/2 miles of pristine Lake Marion shoreline. Bellini purchased the land in 2020 when it became unexpectedly available and held onto it until a financing deal could be reached with the non-profit Conservation Florida.