Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet Protect More Than 10,800 Acres Across Florida
Projects advance Florida Forever, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved the conservation of more than 10,770 acres across Florida, including more than 2,700 acres within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor, representing an investment of more than $72.6 million.
“Florida continues to make historic investments to protect the lands and waters that make our state unique,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These acquisitions will strengthen the Florida Wildlife Corridor and preserve working lands. Today’s approvals ensure that Florida’s growth is balanced with the preservation of the places that define our state.”
Since 2019, the state has invested more than $1.5 billion in land conservation through the Florida Forever Program. This funding has enabled the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to acquire over 500,000 acres for conservation, 92% of which are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
“Today’s approvals reflect our commitment to being good stewards of Florida’s land and making smart investments in conservation. The Florida Wildlife Corridor is an important part of that effort, and I’m proud that more than 4,500 acres of working agricultural land will be permanently protected through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “RFLPP is a proven, cost-effective way to keep productive farmland in private hands and ensure it remains available to grow the food Floridians depend on for generations to come."
“These projects demonstrate the lasting benefits of strategic land conservation,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “They will connect conservation lands while protecting water resources and wildlife habitat. We appreciate the continued leadership of Governor DeSantis, the Cabinet and the Legislature in protecting Florida’s natural landscapes.”
About today’s land acquisition approvals:
A 2,708-acre conservation easement within the Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway Florida Forever Project in Putnam County will create a connection to the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway State Recreation and Conservation Area and other conservation lands within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor. Protecting this large landscape tract will safeguard regional water supply and water quality, support natural ecosystem functions, enhance flood protection and contribute to aquifer recharge. This property is within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
A 3,567-acre conservation easement within the Panther Glades Florida Forever Project in Hendry County will provide a connection between Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area and Finca Vigia, contributing to a mosaic of conservation lands in the area. The conservation easement will protect critical wildlife habitat while allowing the property to remain in agricultural use. This property is within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
The Governor and the Cabinet also approved the acquisition of permanent agricultural land conservation easements over more than 4,500 acres of working agricultural lands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The approvals include a permanent conservation easement over 1,034 acres of Limestone Creek Ranch, a working cattle ranch for more than 70 years that was formerly owned by Governor Doyle E. Carlton.
More information on today’s land acquisition approvals can be found here.
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