Venice receives $100K for urban forest along Intracoastal Waterway

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded a $100,000 matching grant to Venice Area Beautification Inc. (VABI) to support the creation of an Urban Forest along the Intracoastal Waterway in Venice.

Conservation Foundation is partnering with VABI to reforest a disused section of the old CSX railroad adjacent to the Venetian Waterway Park. Once completed, the Urban Forest will extend about 1.75 miles and provide a sanctuary for many insects, birds, and animals, and a natural-area park for all to enjoy.

The Urban Forest is integral to the City of Venice's urban design introduced by noted American landscape architect John Nolen in 1926. This greenbelt corridor complements Nolen's design principles based on "nature leading the way." The Urban Forest will stretch from the Venice Train Depot to Center Road and will provide a beautiful woodland trail for pedestrians parallel to the Venetian Waterway Park. All native trees and shrubs are being planted so that the forest provides habitat specifically for migratory songbirds and native wildlife.