- November 23, 2024
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Regrow the Loop? How about Regrow Volusia?
The Volusia County Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Aug. 6, to explore continuing the Regrow the Loop initiative, this time with a countywide scope.
Volusia County launched its Regrow the Loop initiative in June 2023. The initiative acted as a one-year pilot program aimed at restoring and enhancing the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, a coastal byway in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea that includes A1A, North Beach Street, John Anderson Drive and Old Dixie Highway. Regrow the Loop's mission was to remove invasive plant species, increase native vegetation and promote environmentally sustainable practices.
"I think we had a wildly successful program in Regrow the Loop," said Brad Burbaugh, county director of resource stewardship.
The initiative was sparked at the county thanks to Ormond-by-the-Sea resident Alan Burton, who has lived on the Loop for almost 30 years. Last year, he ran into County Councilman Troy Kent at the local Outback Steakhouse and proposed the county start planting trees again on the coastal byway.
Then in April 2023, Kent proposed the idea to the council, which approved it 5-1.
In the 12 months of the program, the county reported 542 people participated in the 21 Regrow the Loop educational events. A total of 86 trees were planted on private property and 49 trees were planted on public property.
Scott and Todd Vanacore and Vanacore Homes also donated $30,000 to plant new vegetation along the Loop.
"I would like to express my deep gratitude for the past year," Burton said to the council Tuesday. "Their values run deep. Their roots for their environmental ethos is really great."
A portion of the program also included a pledge for residents to sign, committing to adopting practices to sustain the Loop, which was signed by 221 people. According to the county's presentation, 98% pledged to avoid planting or spreading invasive species, 96% pledged to "fertilize like a Floridian," and 98% pledged to adopt Florida-friendly landscaping principles, to name a few intentions.
To extend the program countywide, Volusia will pursue a $10,000 allocation — with funds not originating from the general fund — to regenerate plant coverage, elevate public awareness and
provide educational activities for the public. The county will also fund projects through a grants process, with the private sector taking the lead. Nonprofits, government agencies and community groups are eligible to apply, and an evaluation committee will select the winning proposal.
Kent thanked Burton for bringing the original idea forward.
"This is a good thing," Kent said. "In fact, I would dare to say this is a great thing. For us to do something impactful that showed immediate results and got our residents actively involved in something that they so care about, is a huge win."
Burbaugh also presented an option to fund a county position to coordinate the program, but Kent said he favored the grant process instead.
He wants this program to be countywide, he told the council.
"I want you gentlemen to come forward and say, 'Hey, let's do "Regrow the Loop" but in DeLand, or in New Smyrna or in Daytona, or in Deltona," Kent said.
Though County Councilman Jake Johansson said he liked the program, he was concerned that opening it countywide would incite a precedent to fund other future programs in a similar way.
"If we do it countywide then 50 passionate people are going to come to the table and then ask for $10,000 after a successful pilot program — which I love — but I don't want to be ten-granded to death," Johansson said.
Councilman David Santiago said he shared similar concerns, but Burbaugh said this would not be a "giveaway" of $10,000, but a competitive process. Santiago said he understood that, but, that the council had "some very difficult debates" about programs created years prior.
"Sometimes we have to make tough decisions and not necessarily follow the mob rule, because it's not always the good decision for the public," Santiago said.
At the Ormond Beach City Commission Tuesday evening, Kent celebrated the unanimous support for Regrow Volusia.
"The wheel's been created, so now we know what to do," Kent said.
He also recognized the City Commission for its support of the program.
"In my opinion, you helped set the tone for the rest of the county on how this should be implemented," Kent said.
City Commissioner Lori Tolland said staff was helpful in hosting the Regrow the Loop meetings, which were all well attended. The relationships built between the partners in the program have resulted in more communication and teamwork, she added.
"All of this wouldn't have happened unless Alan Burton talked to Troy Kent and Troy Kent did his thing at the county level that he did," Tolland said. "It took one meeting, bringing a bunch of people together, and it took off."
Additionally, the Kiwanis Club of Ormond Beach, with which Burton is involved, has donated $10,000 to the city for a dedicated tree fund. He asked the city to use the funds to establish a tree fund that will accept private donations for the plantings of native oak trees on the Loop. Burton also asked for one tree to be planted at Rockefeller Gardens and for an outdoor education classroom component to be part of the planting.
The fund will be named the "Peggy Johnette Kent Tree Fund," in honor of Kent's late mother, who died in June.
