2,172-acre Sampala Lake landscape now protected

Gainesville, Fla., Feb. 6, 2019 —Conservation Florida, a leader in statewide land conservation, announced the successful completion of its Sampala Lake land protection project in Madison County, Florida.  

Photo by Randy Batista

Together, the two ranchlands that make up the project not only protect Sampala Lake, they also provide aquifer recharge benefits, support agriculture, and extend wildlife corridors. Other public benefits include habitat for wildlife, purification of surface water and the protection of a significant archeological site. 

Sampala Lake is a 115-acre, spring-fed lake that partially forms the headwaters of the Econfina River. It is important for flood control and sediment reduction into the river. Sampala Lake is also a refuge for many aquatic species, including large-mouth bass and panfish. Other species that use the lake, and its surrounding land, include Florida black bears, deer, coyotes, turkeys, fox squirrels, wood ducks, and various water fowl. 

The historical aspects of the project add to its conservation value. According to a written statement by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, “ … San Pedro y San Pablo de Protohiriba on Lake Sampala is one of five missions established by Spanish explorers in the 1600’s. The mission is believed to have been constructed between 1609 and 1655 and is situated in the Yustaga province. Yustaga were a Timucua people of, what is now, northwestern Florida during the 16th and 17th centuries. Of the five missions, or doctrines, San Pedro was the largest and considered most important.” 

The entire Sampala Lake project was protected with two conservation easements that prevent future development of the land while allowing it to remain in private ownership. The easements do allow ranching operations on the land to continue contributing to Florida’s economy. 

“The Adams Family is pleased to once again be partnering with Conservation Florida to conserve more of our agriculture land, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to work the land on this historic cattle ranch in North Florida.”

— LeeAnn Simmons

The first portion of this project was completed in 2018 with the purchase of a conservation easement on 772 acres of the Sampala Lake Ranch property owned by the Koblegard family. 

Now, the adjacent 1,400-acre ARCCO property is also protected. Owned by the renowned Adams ranching family, this land has been used for agriculture, ranching, and forestry for over 80 years. It is currently a cattle/calf operation and contains 352 acres of wetlands, including a cypress-tupelo basin swamp, basin marsh, bottomland forest, and hydric hammock. 

LeeAnn Simmons, a spokesperson for the Adams Ranch said, “The Adams Family is pleased to once again be partnering with Conservation Florida to conserve more of our agriculture land, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to work the land on this historic cattle ranch in North Florida.”

The easements on both properties were purchased by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) with funding from the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) at a total cost of $1.92 million. The value donated by the landowners totals $328,940. 

Conservation Florida worked with the Adams family throughout the RFLPP process and advocated for state funding for the project.  It is currently working on 27 projects across the state totaling 178,485 acres. 

“Conservation Florida is really proud of this unique land protection project,” said Traci Deen, CFL’s executive director. “Conserving this landscape protects a piece of Florida history, safeguards nature from future development, and protects land that supports Florida’s family ranches. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to help protect this landscape forever.” 

A small but mighty win for conservation

How a .25 acre parcel is providing habitat for a critically endangered Florida flower  

January 10, 2019 

A property no bigger than a quarter of an acre could help turn the tides for an endangered Florida plant thanks to a joint effort by Conservation Florida, the Florida Native Plant Society, and the Putnam Land Conservancy.

Clasping warea. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The vacant land, located in a subdivision about 18 miles southeast of Ocala and only 7 miles from The Villages, was acquired in late 2018 by Conservation Florida in support of its mission to protect natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations.  

Though the parcel is small in size, it is critical habitat for the endangered Warea amplexifolia, or as it is commonly called, clasping warea. This flowering herb in the mustard family thrives in the sandy soil found on the property. It is native to Florida and is so rare that only eight populations remain.  

Conservation Florida contributed the parcel in support of the Warea Area Project led by the Florida Native Plant Society and the Putnam Land Conservancy to aid in the recovery of this critically endangered plant species, which is only found in Marion, Lake, Polk and Osceola counties. 

The Putnam Land Conservancy currently owns six additional lots, holds a conservation easement on another lot in the same subdivision, and plans to acquire more.  

Clasping warea. Photo: Florida Department of Agriculture

“Big wins in conservation can occur on the smallest of properties,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s executive director. “This is a big win for the future of one of Florida’s critically endangered plants. We are delighted to support the Warea Area Project with this land protection contribution.”  

The Warea Area Project seeks to acquire more land in the area to preserve important wildlife habitat and a natural corridor between adjacent protected lands.  

In addition to the clasping warea, the project area is home to other rare species including the Florida sand skink, Florida black bear, gopher tortoise, and Sherman’s fox squirrel. 

“This is a great example of organizations working together to achieve our conservation missions,” said Juliet Rynear, executive director of the Florida Native Plant Society. “We are grateful to add this property to the Warea Area Project to protect the endangered clasping warea.”