Inside the Private Lands Stewardship Program with Hannah
Protecting Florida, One Acre at a Time
We sat down with Hannah, our Private Lands Stewardship Manager, to talk about a little-known but powerful tool for protecting Wild Florida: the Private Lands Stewardship Program. Through partnerships with private landowners, we’re keeping Florida green, wild, and working — and Hannah is helping lead the charge.
-
Every day looks a little different — and that’s what I love.
Some days I’m in the office mapping properties on GIS, following up with landowners, or coordinating with agency partners.Other days, I’m out in the field visiting properties, meeting with landowners about their goals, or connecting with conservation professionals at events.
It’s the perfect mix of problem-solving, people, and time outdoors.
-
I’ve always loved plants, so I’d probably be doing something with plant physiology or horticulture—maybe running a native plant nursery or researching how plants survive in extreme environments.
I find so much joy in growing things and helping others fall in love with plants, too. They’re incredible—complex, resilient, and elegant machines.
If I can help someone see and appreciate that, I’ve done my job.
-
I’m currently working with several landowners on Crooked Lake in Babson Park. They grew up riding horses through the scrub and citrus groves and jet skiing on the lake itself — it’s part of who they are.
Their deep love for the land and desire to protect it from development is inspiring. That kind of generational connection and community commitment is exactly what we need to keep Florida’s landscapes intact and thriving. -
Private lands stewardship means actively managing land in ways that protect natural resources and benefit native wildlife.
That can look like prescribed burning, removing invasive species, or reintroducing native plants. On working lands like ranches or farms, it might mean leaving forested buffers along waterways or implementing rotational grazing systems. It’s about managing land with purpose — so it thrives now and in the future. -
Over half of Florida’s land is privately owned — and much of it holds the key to protecting our most threatened wildlife and water resources. If we want a future where panthers roam, clean water flows, and local food grows, private landowners need to be at the center of the conservation story.
These landscapes aren’t just scenic — they’re fire-adapted ecosystems shaped by natural lightning strikes for thousands of years. Today, because of roads, development, and safety concerns, fire doesn’t move through these places like it once did. That means we have to step in — with carefully planned prescribed burns — to keep habitats healthy and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
At the same time, invasive plants like cogon grass and Brazilian pepper are spreading fast, crowding out native species and throwing entire ecosystems off balance. Stewardship is how we fight back. It’s how we restore fire, remove invasives, and work together to keep Florida wild and resilient.
-
Beef jerky from Lollis Beef (a local favorite!), dried mango, and cold coffee.
-
“Where do I even start?”
It’s a fair question—and one we hear often. With so many programs, acronyms, and funding sources out there, it can get overwhelming fast. That’s exactly why we’re here: to simplify the process and walk alongside you.
We tailor our approach to your land, your goals, and where you are in the journey. -
We offer personalized, hands-on support to help landowners care for their land and reach their conservation goals.
You can learn more HERE -
Three Sisters Springs! I’m one of three sisters, so it’s always felt like a place I’m meant to visit.
Beyond the name connection, I’ve heard the water is crystal clear and the manatees are pure magic. It’s one of those iconic Florida spots that reminds us just how special this state really is — and why it’s worth protecting.
Private lands are key to the future of Florida’s landscapes and wildlife. If you own land and want to be part of the solution — or just want to learn more — we’d love to hear from you.
Did you know?
Over 60% of Florida’s land is privately owned.
More than 280 acres of wild Florida are lost every day.
You don’t have to give up your land to protect it forever.
in case you missed it:
About Conservation Florida:
Conservation Florida is an accredited, nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to conserving the Sunshine State’s water, wildlife, wild places, and connecting a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has saved more than 40,000 acres, serving all 67 counties in Florida, by prioritizing strategic and evidence-based land protection, education, and advocacy.
Follow us on social media @conservationflorida.
