Conservation Florida Secures Funding For a Ranch in the Heart of the Florida Wildlife Corridor
Conservation Florida and its partners at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are working to protect a 1,009-acre working cattle ranch in Highlands County.
Lake Placid, Fla. (July 15, 2021) – Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation and partner in the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, is one step closer to acquiring a 1,009-acre conservation easement in Highlands County thanks to the power of partnerships.
Thanks to NRCS Florida’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program for Agricultural Land Easements Grasslands of Special Significance (ACEP-ALE-GSS) program, Conservation Florida has secured nearly $2 million to protect AP Ranch, which lies in a strategic location next to other protected lands. Identified as a critical linkage, this property is among the Florida Ecological Greenways Network’s highest priorities, and once protected, will build upon an unbroken chain of conservation properties within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Conservation Florida placed the property under contract to protect the land in April. Three months later it is working with partners to complete the purchase of a conservation easement, which will protect the property’s natural and agricultural landscapes.
Protecting these vast landscapes is important for water storage and filtration, native grasslands and plant communities, and for species that require a lot of room to roam, such as Florida black bears which have been seen on the property. These wide-ranging species are dependent on the conservation of connected natural lands for their survival.
The protection of AP Ranch will add 1,009 acres of critical conservation land to the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide ecological greenway connecting the Everglades to the Panhandle. This will ultimately provide wildlife with access to safe passageways between conservation areas throughout the state.
“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. 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.”
The ranch is also 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 thriving ecosystems.
The map above shows AP Ranch’s connection to other protected lands.
In addition to being a working family ranch, this outstanding property contains 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 beauty.
During a site visit to the property, the Conservation Florida team documented cutthroat grass communities. The protection of cutthroat grass is important because this species of grass is only found in five Florida counties. Not only does this native grass contribute to the integrity of Florida’s natural ecosystems, but it also provides a home to important species such as the federally threatened Eastern indigo snake.
The property’s multitude of habitats provide shelter for several state and federally threatened species such as the Florida scrub jay and the Florida panther. Iconic, and quickly disappearing species such as these, rely on the continued protection of conservation lands for their survival.
At a time when Florida’s last, large ranchlands are under intense development pressures, Conservation Florida has made ranchlands in the Northern Everglades a top protection priority.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded Conservation Florida a grant to protect this important property via its Grasslands of Special Significance program.
“Conservation of this property provides numerous ecological and economic benefits in this area. Having partners like Conservation Florida is essential to preserving Florida’s natural spaces,” said Juan Hernandez, Florida State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The NRCS administers the ACEP-ALE-GSS, which provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits.
Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!
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!
About NRCS
NRCS puts more than 80 years of experience to work assisting America's private landowners with conserving their soil, water and other natural resources. Local, state and federal agencies and policymakers also rely on our expertise. We deliver technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs. Cost shares and financial incentives are available in some cases. The majority of conservation application is accomplished with local partners. Our partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in Florida. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.