THIS IS A VOLUNTEER, UNPAID POSITION.

Our organization plans to create a sanctuary where Muscovy ducks will be able to grow and live safe and free. We desperately need someone to help us search for a property that will fit our needs.

Qualifications

• The best person for the job will go the extra mile to actually drive out and search for property that is not listed. Many people have land and aren’t currently looking to sell it, but they may consider it once they are approached.
• Our Explorer(s) will understand how to read zoning and flood plane maps or will be willing to learn.
• They will also be willing to approach people to discuss possible land locations.

Our Property Needs

We will need a large stretch of vacant land on which to raise the ducks.  And because our organization is a non-profit, we need to get the land for as little money as possible (a donation would be best).  The good thing is that most of the land won’t need to be usable.  In fact, we’d prefer a lot of wetlands on the property, or, at least, lots of ponds.

Here are a number of requirements the land will have to meet in order to fit into our plan:

• The property will need to be out away from civilization and development (even planned development). We don’t want to have to worry about the ducks visiting the neighbors, putting them in potential danger.
• Wetlands will be fine—even preferable, but swamplands will not.
• We will only need about an acre of dry land on which to create a space for the babies to grow.  The rest can be wet.
• We will take ten acres if that’s all we can get for our money, but a minimum of twenty will be best.
• The land will need to have at least one lake/pond, creek or river on it for the ducks, though multiple bodies of water will be best. It will be helpful if there are a lot of trees (though it won’t have to be covered in them).
• We’d like to stay as close to Hillsborough County as we can without being too close to people, but the surrounding counties will be possibilities as well.
• We won’t want fields planted with crops close to the property, as their treatments of pesticides and herbicides released into the air will hurt the lungs of the birds.
• We’ll need to be far enough inland to not have to worry about tropical storm/hurricane effects to endanger the birds, namely high winds.

Possible Locations

We have looked in every area surrounding Hillsborough County, but we’ve found that the following areas seem like the best for our needs and budget:

• South and west of Hillsborough County from Wimauma to Parrish areas – These are the most desirable areas, as they are still close to Hillsborough County but aren’t developed (yet).
• East of Hillsborough County in the Plant City/Lakeland/Bartow areas – These areas might be more difficult, as they are more populated and have so many strawberry fields, but the location would be very accessible to those bringing us ducklings.
• North of Hillsborough County toward Zephyrhills and Crystal Springs, as well as Brookesville and Odessa areas – We have been told by at least one realtor that this area is getting more populated, so it may be hard to find property out away from people, but we’ve also heard that land is inexpensive in some areas.

If people who are trying to sell large quantities of land would consider carving off a piece for our needs, we would consider such an option, as long as they are willing to give/sell it to us, and the rest of the property won’t end up being a housing development.

If this sounds like something you are interested in helping us with, please complete the application.