Conservation Florida Working to Protect Ranch in Florida Wildlife Corridor
Conservation Florida announces another piece of wild Florida under contract for conservation
LAKE PLACID, Fla., April 28, 2021 - Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation and partner in the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, has entered into a contract to buy a conservation easement on a 1000-acre working cattle ranch in Highlands County.
The ranch is located within the boundaries of Conservation Florida’s H2O: Headwaters to Okeechobee initiative, a land conservation initiative that’s all about water in the Northern Everglades. This vital and vibrant landscape contains historic cattle ranches, sweeping vistas, and critical ecosystems. Because it forms the headwaters of the Greater Everglades, its protection is vital for the future of Florida’s freshwater supply.
More, the property sits as a critical piece of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide ecological greenway connecting the Everglades to the Panhandle.
This incredible property encompasses a mosaic of natural habitats. Towering longleaf pine covers swaths of wire grass and saw palmettos. The area’s dominating flatwoods intertwine with native grasses and rare plant species to create a classic example of Florida’s natural complexity.
“Primarily composed of native range, longleaf pine flatwoods, cutthroat seep and wetlands, this unbelievable ranch is home to an abundance of documented native and endangered wildlife,” said Adam Bass, Conservation Florida’s director of conservation. “Florida panthers, black bears, gopher tortoises, and rare grasses found only in Florida...this property’s protection will be a home run.”
At a time when Florida’s last, large ranchlands are under intense development pressures, Conservation Florida has made ranchlands in the Northern Everglades and the Florida Wildlife Corridor a top protection priority.
The property is another Conservation Florida project that exemplifies the trend of multi-purpose land conservation. The organization uses this strategy to protect land that meets many needs including agricultural production, water quality, rare and endangered species protection, and other factors – like habitat connectivity and building a statewide wildlife corridor.
“The protection benefits of this ranch will extend well beyond its boundaries. We know that the long-term health of the entire Greater Everglades Ecosystem and the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor hinges on conserving lands like these,” said Traci Deen, CEO of Conservation Florida.
With the property under contract, Conservation Florida and its partners are seeking grants and donations to help buy a conservation easement, which is a binding legal agreement that permanently protects the conservation values of the land.
"We’re pleased and honored to work with this landowner to meet their conservation goals,” said Bass. “That’s what Conservation Florida is here for. We’re looking forward to protecting this piece of wild Florida together with the landowner and our partners.”
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!