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Governor and Cabinet Approve Funding for Conservation Florida's Lightsey Family Ranch Project
Conservation Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection move forward the conservation of 1285 acres in the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Photos by George McKenzie Jr./Wildpath.
Conservation Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection move forward the conservation of 1285 acres in the Florida Wildlife Corridor
Highlands County, FL (March 13, 2023) — Conservation Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have been working to permanently conserve 1,285 acres of ranch land, creek frontage, dry prairie and mesic flatwood communities as part of the Blue Head Ranch Florida Forever project. Today's meeting marked a crucial moment thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet, in its role as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approving funding that allows the Lightsey Family Ranch, or LTL Holdings, to be permanently protected through the state's Florida Forever program.
Funding will be allocated from the Florida Forever program to complete the purchase of one easement, totaling 1,285 acres. The Lightsey Family Ranch is within the Blue Head Ranch boundary ranked number 4 in the Florida Forever Critical Natural Lands project category, approved by the Board of Trustees on March 29, 2022. The overall project contains 43,051 acres of which 1,285 acres are now under agreement to be acquired in this project area.
Map of Lightsey Family Ranch conservation easement.
Through the conservation acquisition, a large portion of the Fisheating Creek watershed and interlinked hydrological system - including creek frontage and important tributaries - will be conserved. This extends conservation ownership and management in southwestern Highlands County, which is contiguous to Archbold Biological Station to the north, and located on the southern end of the Lake Wales Ridge. Additionally, the property lies within Priority 4 of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
As always, securing partnerships is vital in making this type of boots-on-the-ground conservation possible. "Conservation Florida is grateful to the Governor, the Florida Cabinet, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their devotion to protecting our wild and agricultural lands, and for continuing to support critical land acquisitions such as this,” said Traci Deen, President and CEO of Conservation Florida.
This land serves as a habitat for precious Florida wildlife. "The conservation of the Lightsey Family Ranch is a great example of an easement acquisition with multiple benefits as it adds to the protection of endangered wildlife, native plants, water, and green space while also contributing to the local rural economy,” added Deen. “More, this property further conserves and builds a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor.”
Conservation Florida has been working on this project since May of 2021. Over the past year and a half, Conservation Florida worked with the property’s landowners and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to secure the deal and bring it before the Governor and Cabinet.
This land will continue to provide and enhance the habitat of numerous rare and imperiled species. This portion of the state is known for its renowned, high quality natural, hydrological, and wildlife resources and historically, this land was used for ranching cattle, but now functions primarily as a homestead and for recreational hunting activities.
“It has been a great experience working with Conservation Florida again, this time on the protection of the Lightsey Family Ranch.” said landowner, Lee Lightsey. “I’m grateful to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their support and guidance through the process, and look forward to partnering for years to come.”
Additionally, the project encompasses a wide range and diversity of natural resources within a matrix dominated by high quality natural communities, including large blocks of endemic dry prairie and mesic flatwood communities. The Blue Head Ranch project also serves to capture, store, and slowly release substantial volumes of water that ultimately make their way to the interconnected downstream ecosystems of Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades.
This success story is just one of many conservation triumphs in saving the Florida Wildlife Corridor in this region of the state. This stunning and diverse area contains a myriad of biodiversity, sweeping plains, and vast ecosystems, all of which are critical to protect. The Corridor overall contains 17.7 million acres, and of that, 8.1 million acres are identified as conservation opportunities to build a statewide, functional wildlife corridor that’s permanently protected.
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.
Conservation Florida Welcomes New Board Members
As Conservation Florida celebrates its 20th anniversary year, we are excited to welcome four new members to our board of directors — Neil Asma, Adam Strang Bass, Mike Forrester, and Margaret Hankison Spontak.
As Conservation Florida celebrates its 20th anniversary year, we are excited to welcome four new members to our board of directors — Neil Asma, Adam Strang Bass, Mike Forrester, and Margaret Hankison Spontak.
Neil Asma
Neil is a third generation Floridian from Winter Garden, where his family was once involved in the citrus industry. Neil received a B.A. in English from Washington & Lee University and a master’s degree in business administration from Rollins College. He’s now the vice president of Toole’s Ace Hardware, managing 10 local stores and serving as vice president of the Central Florida Ace Dealer’s organization.
Neil learned to love nature, backpacking, and camping with the Boy Scouts of America, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoys hiking and hopes to hike the entire Florida Trail. He spends summers on the waterways of Chassahowitzka and wishes to pass his love of Florida’s nature down to his daughter.
Mike Forrester
Mike was born in Orlando and grew up in Osceola County. His great-grandfather was a steamboat captain on the Kissimmee River in the late 1800's. His grandfather introduced him to the history of Florida, while he and his dad visited many of the natural wonders of the state. Professionally, Mike was hired by Amtrak to work on its Florida service trains, eventually supervising their operation. Mike left Amtrak in 1995 to start a video production company, moving to Atlanta as a contractor and tropical system cameraman for CNN and The Weather Channel for the next decade.
During this time, Mike’s company opened a television studio which provided live shot capabilities, a green screen studio, editing suites and production services for National Geographic, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery and other network and corporate clients. In 2015, Mike sold his Atlanta company so he and his family could return to Florida. In 2017, he opened Orlando Corporate Media.
Returning to Central Florida has allowed Mike the opportunity to reconnect with his roots. He enjoys visiting parks, refuges, and preserves and has become endeared to the Florida Scrub-Jay. His concern for the loss of Florida's wildlife corridors and natural habitats led him to Conservation Florida, which he supports through advocacy and financial contributions. Mike also serves as board vice president of the Central Florida Railway Historical Society, which preserves the history of railroading in the region and volunteers with the Osceola County Historical Society, filming the oral history of longtime residents.
Mike, his wife, Jeanine, and 13-year-old daughter, Siena, reside in Winter Garden.
Margaret Hankinson Spontak
Margaret most recently managed philanthropy for the Duke Energy Foundation. The Foundation awards approximately $3 million in charitable contributions in Florida. Through the Foundation’s volunteer engagement program, employees have restored scrub habitat, removed exotic plants, cleaned Florida’s waterways and enhanced Florida State Parks. Project Park Power volunteer projects this year included Highlands Hammock State Park and Crystal River Preserve State Park.
Her past conservation experience includes director of development for Audubon Florida, director of policy and planning for St. Johns River Water Management District, promotions manager for Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee and co-author of Protecting Paradise. Her environmental communications work includes branding and communication for Marion County “Pennies for Parks,” a $20 million county land referendum, and the Silver River Society, the organization that advocated for purchase of lands now comprising Silver River State Park. She has facilitated numerous river planning projects over the years such as the St. Johns River Summit, American Heritage River designation public meetings, St. Mary's River Management Plan and Palatka Water Works design charrette. She is currently facilitating a coalition of 32 organizations focused on the restoration of the Ocklawaha River.
Margaret has a B.S. in communications from Florida State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern. She is married to Vince Spontak and has a grown son Michael Spontak, who conducted GIS mapping and modeling on panther and bear habitat for the Florida Ecological Greenways Network.
Thanks to the addition of our new members, we are starting the year 2020 with an abundance of enthusiasm on our Board of Directors that will further our mission to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our organization relies on volunteers, such as these passionate board members, to support our work throughout the state. We invite you to donate, volunteer, or join our efforts to protect more of Florida’s special places. Email info@conserveflorida.org to get involved.