Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet have approved a $167.25 million investment to protect more than 20,000 acres of conservation land across the state. The decision, made yesterday in Tallahassee, covers several key properties, with six located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and another expanding Cary State Forest in Duval County.
In addition to these conservation efforts, the Governor and Cabinet also approved the transfer of a 2.63-acre parcel in Miami-Dade County next to the Freedom Tower for use as the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library.
“Yesterday’s approvals protect more than 20,000 acres of Florida’s most important landscapes,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “By conserving these lands, we are preserving clean water, safeguarding wildlife and ensuring future generations can experience the Florida we know and love.”
The land acquisition includes two conservation easements and one purchase totaling 13,375 acres within the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor in Collier and Hendry counties. These properties are expected to improve connections between existing protected areas such as the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area. They provide habitat for species like the endangered Florida panther while supporting agricultural activities.
A separate 3,094-acre conservation easement was approved within Putnam County’s Little Orange Creek Corridor project. This area is considered vital for connecting parts of the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor and protecting habitats for rare species. The current landowner is restoring forested areas and wetlands that contribute to local water quality.
In Martin County, a 1,670-acre conservation easement at Bar-B Ranch will support water storage projects linked to Everglades restoration efforts and benefit regional water systems including the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon.
Another project involves a 1,400-acre conservation easement at Big Bend Swamp/Holopaw Ranch in Osceola County that will connect lands between Bull Creek and Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. The property includes infrastructure allowing safe wildlife crossings under major highways and supports aquifer recharge for South Florida’s water system.
A 543-acre parcel previously slated for residential development in Duval County will now be added to Cary State Forest by the Florida Forest Service. This move aims to protect habitats such as those used by gopher tortoises while enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.
Additionally, a small four-acre acquisition in Okaloosa County will expand public access at Destin’s Norriego Point Beach Access and Park by providing new beachfront access points along with increased parking options.
The Cabinet also approved permanent agricultural land conservation easements over more than 10,000 acres through a program managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
