Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Project Hoot Landings LLC [Photo by Lauren Yoho]

Bar-B-Ranch [Photo by Lauren Yoho]

Little Orange Creek [Photo by Lauren Yoho]

Map courtesy Live Wildly Foundation

Bentley Ranch [Photo by Lauren Yoho]

Remlap Ranch [Photo by Lauren Yoho]

=On Sept. 30 the State of Florida approved funding for the permanent conservation of 22,183 acres across seven properties within and adjacent to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Caloosahatchee/Big Cypress Project – Finca Vigia Ranch is protected by conservation easement funded through Florida Forever at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. [Photo by Lauren Yoho]

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TALLAHASSEE – On Sept. 30, the Florida Governor and Cabinet took a major step forward for conservation by approving funding to permanently protect 22,183 acres across seven properties located within and adjacent to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This significant investment will expand and strengthen the Florida Wildlife Corridor, ensuring long-term protection for Florida’s wildlife habitats, water resources, and working lands. The newly approved conservation lands are located across Okeechobee, Putnam, Hendry, Hardee, Martin, and Osceola counties, advancing the state’s commitment to connecting and safeguarding Florida’s natural landscapes for future generations. 

“We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet for their decisive action to permanently protect vital lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor today. With nearly 120,000 acres approved for conservation this year alone, Florida is setting the pace needed to ensure the long-term survival of our state’s connectivity and this achievement reflects exceptional collaboration among landowners, state agencies, and conservation partners.” said Mallory Dimmitt, CEO of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation thanks the leadership of the landowners, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Conservation Group, Putnam Land Conservancy, Family Lands Remembered, Saunders Real Estate, Keith Fountain Law, Dispersed Water LLC, and other partners for coming together to make these conservation opportunities possible.  

This announcement also marks a major milestone for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Forever Program, which has now completed more than 200 conservation easements. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the program has helped permanently protect over 1 million acres of land across the state for the benefit of both people and nature. 

Since its inception, the Florida Forever Program has been a crucial tool for conserving Florida’s native landscapes, watersheds, and wildlife habitats. Conservation easements are a key component of this effort, allowing private landowners to retain ownership of their property while permanently limiting future development.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor is a critical ecological network of 18 million acres that connects existing conservation lands to private working lands, providing a pathway for wildlife to roam and thrive. Nearly 10 million acres are already under permanent protection and by expanding the protected areas within the Corridor, the state is taking a proactive approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of its natural resources. 

The six properties approved for conservation within the Florida Wildlife Corridor include: 

• A conservation easement in Hendry County of 5,631-acres within the Caloosahatchee/Big Cypress Florida Forever Project. The Caloosahatchee/Big Cypress Project– Hoot Holdings, LLC helps bring connectivity between Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Big Cypress National Preserve to Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area and is part of the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor. The land provides habitat for the Florida panther, Florida black bear, crested caracara, Florida sandhill cranes, limpkins, and more. The property is used for agriculture and crops including watermelon, peppers, and tomatoes. 
• A conservation easement in Putnam County of 3,094-acres within the Little Orange Creek Florida Forever Project. The Little Orange Creek property provides a key connection to the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor, bringing habitat connectivity between Little Orange Creek Nature Park, Putnam Lakes Preserve, and the BJ Bar Ranch conservation easement. Protection of the wetlands preserves water quality of Little Orange Creek, a tributary of Orange Creek. The land also provides important wildlife habitat to gopher tortoises, Florida black bear, sandhill crane, swallow-tailed kite, and more. 
• A conservation easement in Hardee County of 2,559 acres, a project of FDACS Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Bentley Ranch is located southwest of Highlands Hammock State Park and other protected lands. Oak Creek flows through the southern half of the ranch. The land proves habitat to crested caracaras, burrowing owls, gopher tortoises, and more. 
• A conservation easement in Hendry County of 1,889-acres within the Caloosahatchee/Big Cypress Florida Forever Project. Finca Vigia Ranch is a working cattle ranch within the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor. The land provides important connectivity between Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Big Cypress National Preserve to Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area. The property provides habitat for the Florida panther, Florida black bear, crested caracara, Florida sandhill cranes, wood storks, snail kites, and more. 
• A conservation easement in Martin County of 1,670-acres through DEP’s Florida Forever Program. Bar-B Ranch is a working cattle ranch for several decades. The project protects the hydrologic connection between the St. Johns Rover and Everglades watershed. The ranch is a critical restoration area for water storage to support the improvement of downstream water quality in the St. Lucie Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon. The land provides habitat to wood stork, deer, little blue heron, roseate spoonbill, and more. 
• A conservation easement in Osceola County of 1,400-acres within the Big Bend Swamp/Holopaw Ranch Florida Forever Project. The Lakes Place property is a working cattle ranch divided by the Florida Turnpike with a wildlife crossing connecting the land. Located within the Lake Kissimmee/Kissimmee River watershed, the property contributes to water quality and quantity in this important hydrologic network. The ranch provides habitat to eastern indigo snake, Florida sandhill crane, Florida long-tailed weasel, red-cockaded woodpecker, and more. 

  The property approved for conservation adjacent to the Florida Wildlife Corridor includes:

  • A conservation easement in Okeechobee County of 5,940-acres, a project of FDACS Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Remlap Ranch is a family run cow/calf operation. The property extends the protected lands in the Northern Okeechobee Watershed and Lower Kissimmee Basin. Freshwater marshes are throughout the ranch and provide ecological services such as flood control and water purification. The ranch is home to several threatened and endangered species.