Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that his administration approved the acquisition of nearly 28,000 acres of natural lands and link-existing conservation areas.
The acquisitions include 25,039 acres within the Caloosahatchee-Big Cypress Corridor in Collier and Hendry counties, which DeSantis’ office said would further connect the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Big Cypress National Preserve to the Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area, Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, and the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Wildlife and Environmental Area.
Also acquired were 1,361 acres within the Yarborough Ranch Florida Forever Project in Seminole County, which was purchased to protect the Econlockhatchee River and Geneva Freshwater Lens, which provides drinking water for county residents. The property is surrounded by existing conservation land and would provide a linkage for imperiled species including the Florida black bear.
The state also acquired 1,342 acres within the Lake Hatchineha Watershed Florida Forever Project in Polk County, with the goal of expanding public recreational opportunities and filling a gap between other state-owned conservation lands near Lake Hatchineha – that property recently received local approvals to construct over 1,800 single-family homes as well as commercial development, but instead will become a Wildlife Management Area.
The financial aspects of the acquisitions were not disclosed.
“Florida continues to lead the way in land conservation and protecting our natural resources,” said DeSantis. “These protections will further protect our natural lands for Florida’s families to enjoy for generations to come.”
The DeSantis administration also approved the acquisition of permanent agricultural land conservation easements over more than 8,000 acres of working agricultural lands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, including more than 3,000 acres within the Heart Bar Ranch, a working cattle ranch since 1847 that is now operated by fifth and sixth generation family farmers.
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