Conservation Florida Permanently Protects 458 Acres in the Florida Wildlife Corridor

The Welch property, which borders this highway, will provide a safer way for endangered Florida panthers to move between other protected lands. Photo by Adam Bass.

Couple's Conservation Easement Donation Protects Land and Leaves Legacy

Polk County, Fla. (March 6, 2023) – Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of land conservation in Florida, has permanently protected 458 acres thanks to a generous donation by Dan and Marcia Welch.

As you drive along state road 60 East, you see a panther crossing sign. It reminds you to slow down and how very precious the green space is in the region. That sign sits at the newly protected Welch property.

The incredible property fills in a missing piece of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and protects rare habitat on Lake Wales Ridge, a unique geological feature that is one of the oldest natural scrub communities in Florida. From the gregarious Florida scrub-jay to the shy sand skink, the sandy ridge contains so many unique, threatened plant and wildlife species that it has been labeled a global biodiversity hotspot. 

Endangered Florida scrub jays are special for many reasons. They form tight family groups, and young scrub-jays often help raise their siblings. They are also friendly and curious birds that spend their whole lives in Florida. Photo by Chuck Palmer.

“We are incredibly grateful for Dan and Marcia Welch’s generosity and for the privilege of working with them to protect such a beautiful place not only rich in biodiversity but further conserving a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor.” said Traci Deen, President and CEO of Conservation Florida. “This new conservation easement will ensure that this slice of wild Florida stays this way, forever.”

Recognizing the necessity and urgency of preserving this special land, the Welches felt compelled to protect it for future generations. “Our family has witnessed the continual loss of our native woodlands. We know our partnership with Conservation Florida will further our legacy of protecting our wonderful natural landscape,” said Marcia Welch. 

Dan and Marcia Welch.

Nestled in the middle of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, the land is home to more than 40 plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet. As the panther crossing sign shows, the property is used by wide-ranging mammals utilizing it to roam.

Conservation Florida now holds the conservation easement, which limits development on the land and protects its natural characteristics forever. Its location on Lake Wales Ridge and within one of Conservation Florida's priority regions made it an ideal candidate for protection. 

“We have witnessed the continual loss of our native woodlands. We know our partnership with Conservation Florida will further our legacy of protecting our wonderful natural landscape,” Marcia Welch added.

On top of everything else, the donation of this land will also close a gap in the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Like filling in missing pieces of a giant land protection puzzle, Conservation Florida and its land protection partners have been working to protect land within the Florida Wildlife Corridor for decades. 

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. Our 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.