Conservation Florida Rescues Endangered Plants from Construction Site, Relocates to Nature Preserve
Dozens of Rugel’s pawpaw plants given a second chance at life at D Ranch Preserve in Volusia County
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 10, 2026) — This week, Conservation Florida and its partners rescued one of Florida's rarest native plant species from the path of development, relocating dozens of federally endangered Rugel's pawpaw plants to a permanently protected home at D Ranch Preserve in Volusia County.
Drivers traveling eastbound on I-4 may have noticed crews working just off the shoulder, but few would have realized they were witnessing the rescue of an incredibly rare piece of Florida's natural heritage.
A Second Chance
A future truck stop is planned for the site, placing a population of federally endangered Rugel's pawpaw (Deeringothamnus rugelii) at risk. Rather than allowing the plants to be lost, Conservation Florida partnered with Young Bear Environmental, Environmental Science Associates, the Florida Native Plant Society, and the Florida Department of Transportation to carefully rescue and relocate 37 whole plants and 17 root fragments to D Ranch Preserve, where they now have an opportunity to thrive.
Also known as the "Yellow Squirrel Banana," Rugel's pawpaw is endemic to Volusia County, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. The species depends on a highly specific ecosystem, making successful relocation both challenging and critical for its survival.
Conservation Florida’s D Ranch Preserve is located in Osteen, within Volusia County.
Why D Ranch Preserve?
Conservation Florida’s D Ranch Preserve was permanently protected by the nonprofit in 2019, making it a safe haven for plants and animals, including the rescued Rugel’s pawpaw.
"D Ranch Preserve was the ideal location for this rescue," said Conservation Florida Land Steward Brandon Evans. "Our preserve has the appropriate soils, habitat, and ecological conditions these plants need. D Ranch Preserve is also within pollination range of the existing protected population in the Lake Monroe Conservation Area.”
Hidden in Plain Sight
More than 1,000 new residents move to Florida every single day, and with that growth comes extreme pressure on our wild places. This rescue serves as a reminder that every acre, and every species, matters.
"We're sitting here on the side of I-4 with cars going 80 miles per hour past us, and they just see a line of work trucks," said Daniel Young of Young Bear Environmental. "They have no idea that there is a rare, endangered plant species just off the edge of the road here."
The rescued pawpaw plants may now be found at Conservation Florida's 476-acre D Ranch Preserve in Osteen, where they will contribute to the preserve's growing biodiversity while remaining protected for generations to come. The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk and features more than 3.5 miles of trails to explore.
Conservation Florida works across the state to protect Florida's water, wildlife, and wild places. From endangered panthers to rare native plants like Rugel's pawpaw, the nonprofit conserves the ecosystems that keep Florida wild.
To learn more about Conservation Florida, visit conservationfla.org.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Shepard, Communications Director
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.