Conservation Florida and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Safeguard Wildlife Corridor in Putnam County
Conservation project closes critical gap in Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area, safeguards watersheds, and expands public land
PALATKA, Fla. (July 1, 2026) — Conservation Florida, in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), is proud to announce the permanent protection of once at-risk land in the Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Putnam County.
Within Caravelle Ranch WMA's 12,000-acre footprint, a small 5-acre parcel remained privately owned and vulnerable to development. The permanent protection of these additional acres fills a critical gap within the WMA, safeguarding important connectivity for wildlife, water resources, and public recreation.
“By permanently protecting these acres in Caravelle Ranch WMA, we ensure wildlife like our Florida black bears can continue roaming freely across this land for generations to come,” said Conservation Florida CEO Traci Deen. “We give our kids more trails to explore, protect more of Florida’s natural heritage, and safeguard more clean water for Floridians everywhere.”
Room to Roam
Surrounded by conservation lands, this property serves as a natural passageway for wildlife like Florida black bears, bobcats, eastern Indigo snakes, southern flying squirrels, and the beloved Florida scrub jay. Protecting this land helps maintain the protected and connected corridors these species depend upon for feeding, breeding, and movement across the state.
“This was the final unprotected inholding on the west side of the Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Roger Young. “Its protection strengthens an already significant conservation landscape by improving connectivity, supporting wildlife movement, and making the entire area more resilient for Floridians.”
Trails to Trek
Beyond its ecological value, this project transforms formerly private land into a place all Floridians can now enjoy. Visitors to Caravelle Ranch WMA can explore diverse habitats year-round from dawn to dusk. With miles of trails and opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and wildlife photography, this conservation gives Floridians more acres to explore and connect with nature.
From Land to Water
This project also goes beyond the footprint of the wildlife management area. Located between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha river systems and less than a mile from Lake Ocklawaha, the land is deeply connected to the water around it. The property helps filter rainfall, recharge groundwater supplies, and protect water quality.
“Protecting this land means protecting our watersheds,” added Deen. “Every single drop of rain that falls on these soils eventually makes its way into waterways that support wildlife, recreation, local economies, and communities throughout the region.”
Forever WILD
The work to protect this missing piece began in 2025 when Conservation Florida identified the parcel as a high-priority conservation opportunity in Caravelle Ranch WMA. The nonprofit worked alongside FDEP and dedicated landowners Andrew and Lawrence Longhi to ensure the property would remain protected forever.
The conservation of this land strengthens the 12,000-acre Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area while protecting wildlife habitat, safeguarding critical watersheds, and expanding public access to the outdoors. As Florida continues to grow, projects like this ensure the state’s natural heritage remains protected and accessible for future generations.
Caravelle Ranch WMA is open to the public for outdoor recreation year-round. Learn more here.
To learn more about Conservation Florida’s work to conserve places like Caravelle Ranch WMA, visit conservationfla.org.
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is an accredited, nonprofit land conservancy dedicated to conserving the Sunshine State’s water, wildlife, wild places — the places that make Florida home. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has saved roughly 45,000 acres, serving all 67 counties in Florida, by prioritizing strategic and evidence-based land protection, education, and advocacy.
Visit www.conservationflorida.org and follow on social media @conservationflorida to learn more.