Governor and Cabinet Approve Funding for Conservation Florida's Crippen Ranch Project
Aerial shot of Crippen Ranch, a 615-acre property in Okeechobee County by Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation Florida advance the conservation of property in Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Tallahassee, FL (August 23, 2022) - Conservation Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of State Lands have been working to permanently conserve 615 acres of Crippen Ranch in Okeechobee County and today’s Cabinet meeting marked a pivotal moment as Governor Desantis and the Cabinet approved its funding. The property, which is currently under contract for the acquisition of a conservation easement, would be a win for conservation in the Northern Everglades and Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet in its role as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, funding will be allocated from the State's Florida Forever program to complete the purchase of this 615-acre conservation easement. The total purchase price of the easement is $2,070,000. Crippen Ranch is located within the Kissimmee-St Johns River Connector Florida Forever project, which ranked number 7 in the Florida Forever Less-Than-Fee category.
Located in the Northern Everglades, within the Avon Park Sentinel Landscape and Conservation Florida’s H2O Conservation Initiative, within Priority 2 of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and directly adjacent to the vast Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, the ranch is an extraordinary example of a property’s protection supporting many conservation goals. Image by Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath.
Partnerships are critical in making this type of boots-on-the-ground conservation happen. "We thank the Governor, the Cabinet, and the Department of Environmental Protection for continuing to support critical land acquisitions to protect our natural and agricultural landscapes,” said Traci Deen, President and CEO of Conservation Florida. "The conservation of biodiversity at a landscape-scale level is not only necessary for wildlife such as the Florida panther, black bear, and gopher tortoise, but also for protecting our water, wildlife corridor, and way of life. With today’s approval of Crippen Ranch, this property is on its way to being protected for generations to come."
“We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet for supporting these acquisitions,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “These projects will provide protection to imperiled species and connectivity for recreational and wildlife corridors and will support the preservation of Florida’s natural landscapes for future generations. We also appreciate our many agency and community partners who helped to make these projects possible.
Sunrise over the Northern Everglades, at Crippen Ranch in Okeechobee County by Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath.
Crippen Ranch’s location made it a priority for Conservation Florida. Located in the Northern Everglades, within the Avon Park Sentinel Landscape and Conservation Florida’s H2O Conservation Initiative, within Priority 2 of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and directly adjacent to the vast Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, the ranch is an extraordinary example of a property’s protection supporting many conservation goals.
“Protection of both natural and working land in this region is essential, providing critical habitat for the Florida grasshopper sparrow, sandhill crane, mottled duck, wood stork, crested caracara, and other imperiled wildlife species,” said Adam Bass, Conservation Florida’s Vice President of Conservation. “
A curious raccoon peeks at landowner Scott Crippen’s lens while touring the ranch lands in Okeechobee County.
Conservation Florida worked with the landowner and the Department of Environmental Protection to negotiate the deal and bring it before the Governor and Cabinet today. The land conservancy works as a liaison, serving landowners with the ultimate goal of good conservation around the state.
“Conservation Florida has been a pleasure to work with,” said landowner Scott Crippen. “I am a huge advocate for preserving wild Florida. I will rest easy knowing our family’s ranch will be appreciated, as it is now, forever. I sincerely hope other ranchers and landowners take this path in conserving what is left of our wild and beautiful state.”
Map by Angeline Meeks/@angeline.maps, @archboldstation.
The Northern Everglades is prized for its large, historic cattle ranches, sweeping vistas, and critical ecosystems. The projects Conservation Florida targets in this region help filter surface water flowing from the north before it reaches Lake Okeechobee. The region is a mosaic of seasonally wet grasslands, longleaf pine savannas, and cattle ranches that sustains one of the most important assemblages of imperiled species in the southeast United States. Projects Conservation Florida targets in this region will help filter surface water flowing from the north before it reaches Lake Okeechobee. In addition to contributing to the clean drinking water supply for millions of people, the land provides shelter for many species of neotropical birds during their spring and fall migrations. It is also estimated that more than 50% of all habitats used by panthers in the Northern Everglades are on private lands.
Aerial shot of Crippen Ranch, located in the Northern Everglades by Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath.
The next phase for Crippen Ranch’s protection will be moving toward closing, and Conservation Florida is proud to continue to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to see this property conserved forever.
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land conservancy working to conserve Florida’s water, wildlife, wild places, and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The organization’s conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, wildlife corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy, and nature-based recreation. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has prioritized strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat.
About Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water, and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.