Conservation Florida’s Chip’s Hole Funding Request Approved by Governor DeSantis
Photo by Chris Werner, Woodville Karst Plain Project
Wakulla County Cave System Acres to be Conserved and Opened as Public Preserve
Tallahassee, Fla. (June 13 , 2024) — Yesterday, Governor DeSantis approved Conservation Florida’s $3,782,000 funding request to conserve Chip’s Hole in Wakulla County and relocate a proposed gas station from development over the cave complex.
With funding approved, Conservation Florida — the Sunshine State’s only boots-on-the-ground land conservancy working statewide to conserve Florida’s water, wildlife, wild places, and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor — will purchase 225 acres and complete a land swap with Southwest Georgia Oil Company to complete the conservation project.
“We are honored to stand alongside Wakulla residents in the protection of this beloved cave system,” said Conservation Florida CEO Traci Deen. “This is a true work of heart by each and every person involved. Thank you to Gov. DeSantis, Rep. Jason Shoaf, Sen. Corey Simon, and our Florida legislators for their continued support in conserving our wild places. Because of this commitment to conservation, and coordination with entities like Southwest Georgia Oil Company, special places like Chip’s Hole will be preserved for future generations.”
When news of potential development by Southwest Georgia Oil Company broke last year, Wakulla County residents showed up at commission meetings in waves last summer, braving 100-degree heat to voice opposition to the development over the beloved Chip’s Hole Cave System.
Discoveries made earlier this year revealed the combined 45-mile-long Wakulla/Chip's System is the longest underwater cave system in America and one of the longest in the world. It also provides drinking water to all Wakulla County residents.
“The Chip’s Hole Cave System contributes millions of gallons of freshwater daily downstream to Wakulla Spring, and conserving these unique karst features will deliver long-term benefits to all stakeholders within the Wakulla Springs Basin,” said Woodville Karst Plain Project Director Casey McKinlay.
Footage provided by Woodville Karst Plain Project
After coordination with Southwest Goergia Oil Company, Conservation Florida worked diligently with Rep. Jason Shoaf and Sen. Corey Simon to submit the funding request in November of 2023. The appropriation was approved as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget, which totals $116.5 billion.
“Working alongside Conservation Florida to secure this critical funding to protect Chip’s Hole has been incredibly rewarding,” said Rep. Jason Shoaf. “I’d like to extend my gratitude to Sen. Simon for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to conservation. To Gov. DeSantis, my fellow legislators, and Wakulla County residents — thank you for your support in safeguarding our springs for future generations.”
Through collaboration between community members, legislators, and Conservation Florida, construction plans for the fuel station have shifted; Southwest Georgia Oil Company now plans to build across State Road 267, away from the Chip’s Hole Cave System.
“Securing the Chip’s Hole conservation funding was truly a team effort,” said Sen. Corey Simon. “We heard the voices of Wakulla County residents, and we knew we had to act. All of us came together to come up with a game plan, and I could not be prouder of everyone involved.”
The $3,782,000 request funds all due diligence items to be completed by Conservation Florida, including surveys, appraisals, studies, and real estate closing costs.
Once permanently protected, Chip’s Hole is to become a public preserve, available for monitored public use and recreation.
“This project is a true testament to the power of community and creativity,” said Conservation Florida Vice President of Conservation Adam Bass. "Through a collective effort, we've devised a solution to safeguard a precious place in Wakulla County, and I am deeply honored to have played a part. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to protect this unique piece of paradise.”
For more information, contact:
Sarah Shepard, Communications Manager
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 more than 35,000 acres of critical habitat.