TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved an investment to protect nearly 28,000 acres of natural lands and link existing conservation areas, according to the governor's website.
Tuesday’s announcement includes the first acquisition within the Caloosahatchee-Big Cypress Corridor, an important Everglades and panther habitat.
The governor says the focus of the new investment is to protect endangered species, landscape connectivity, water resources, working lands and coastal resources.
“Florida continues to lead the way in land conservation and protecting our natural resources,” DeSantis said in a statement. “These protections will further protect our natural lands for Florida’s families to enjoy for generations to come.”
Here is a breakdown of all the land acquisition approvals.
25,039 acres within the Caloosahatchee-Big Cypress Corridor (Collier and Hendrie County)
This investment will connect the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge & Big Cypress National Preserve to the Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area, Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest and the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Wildlife and Environmental Area.
The governor's office explains that protecting these lands can prevent habitat fragmentation for a wide range of endangered species, including the Florida panther.
1,361 acres within the Yarborough Ranch Florida Forever Project (Seminole County)
This gives protection for the Econlockhatchee River and Geneva Freshwater Lens, which provides drinking water for local residents.
This property is surrounded by existing conservation land, linking it to different endangered species, such as the Florida black bear.
It's managed by the Florida Forest Service as part of the Little Big Econ State Forest.
1,342 acres within the Lake Hatchineha Watershed Florida Forever Project (Polk County)
Taking place right in the Tampa Bay area, this expands public recreational opportunities and fill gaps in the landscape between other state-owned conservation lands near Lake Hatchineha.
This property is under direct threat of development, with recent approvals to construct over 1,800 single-family homes and commercial development. Instead, it will be managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a wildlife management area.
DeSantis and the cabinet also approved acquiring 8,000 acres of working agricultural lands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
The investment includes 3,000 acres of Heart Bar Ranch, a working cattle ranch that started in 1847. It is run by 5th- and 6th-generation family farmers.
The governor also green-lit the Florida Forever Priority List and the Annual Florida Forever Work Plan, which includes 128 projects with 2.1 million acres of land.
