News
“Protect Our Paradise” Docuseries Will Spotlight the Conservation Movement in Florida
Conservation Florida and Crawford Entertainment are launching Protect Our Paradise, a new conservation TV series, airing on Discover Florida Channel in 2022.
Conservation Florida and Crawford Entertainment are launching a new conservation TV series airing on Discover Florida Channel in 2023.
UPDATE: visit conservationfla.org/protectourparadise to learn how YOU can Protect Our Paradise today.
Orlando, Fla. (September 20, 2021) — An exciting new show aims to explore Florida’s wild, wonderful places and expose environmental issues that threaten their existence. The six-episode docuseries is a joint venture of Crawford Entertainment and Conservation Florida, two Florida-based organizations partnering to “Protect Our Paradise.”
The series will look at challenges facing Florida and serve as a catalyst to propel conservation at a statewide level. Each episode will feature a unique aspect of Florida’s environment and some of the people working to protect Florida’s wildlife, wild landscapes, and wild waters.
Spearheaded by the critically acclaimed host of “how to Do Florida,” Chad Crawford, the show will be presented by the nonprofit land conservancy Conservation Florida. The docuseries will initially air on Discover Florida Channel, a streaming channel that boasts the world's largest collection of Florida programming.
“‘Protect Our Paradise’ is a thought-provoking series that inspires action,” said Crawford. “We’re going to travel all over the state talking to people who are on the front lines fighting for Florida, tell their story, and invite people to join us.”
Floridians are up against some of the hardest challenges yet to “Protect Our Paradise.” The state’s population growth rate is rapidly increasing, water resources are being threatened, and most of all wildlife is being disrupted by rampant development. The paradise that we all have grown to love is changing daily, and soon these changes will have detrimental impacts.
“Protect Our Paradise” will feature the important work of conservationists who are leading the way to keep Florida wild. In addition to amplifying conservationists and their work around the state, the show will highlight Florida’s land, water, wildlife, and the green infrastructure essential to Florida’s conservation future.
Proposed episodes will cover six topics that range from the Florida Wildlife Corridor to coastal systems and shine a light on organizations, agencies, and individuals protecting the state’s land, water, and wildlife for future generations.
“Co-creating “Protect Our Paradise” with Crawford Entertainment is an extraordinary opportunity to raise awareness of the important mission before us all,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “We want every Floridian to know what we are collectively facing and invite those watching to join in and support conservation so that we can have a better future for Florida—so that we can “Protect Our Paradise.”
According to Deen, Conservation Florida’s mission to protect natural and agricultural landscapes has never been more important because of the tremendous pressure being placed on Florida’s ecosystems.
Florida is the third-most populous state in the nation, growing by nearly 1,000 newcomers each day. We’re projected to exceed 30 million residents by 2060. With this comes a greater demand for water and the development of rural and natural lands for urban use. How we manage our natural resources over the next 10 years – what we save and what we pave – will undoubtedly determine Florida’s conservation future and the future of Florida as a whole.
“Protect our Paradise” will draw attention to the urgent need to work together to save Florida’s natural resources, and, most importantly, it will offer viewers ways to help.
“Protect our Paradise” made possible by the support of the Bellini Better World.
Help Conservation Florida “Protect Our Paradise” and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!
About Conservation Florida:
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About Crawford Entertainment and Discover Florida Channel
Born in 2005, Crawford Entertainment’s mission is the belief that their content makes the world a better place. The company produces and distributes nationally syndicated specials, documentaries, and original content which air on major U.S. networks and digital streaming platforms worldwide. Crawford Entertainment’s team of award-winning professionals can take a brand or organization’s message and turn it into entertaining yet informative long-form content. Crawford Entertainment has an earned reputation for high production quality and effective distribution. Simply put, the company produces content that people will watch.
Conservation Florida Secures Time to Protect Lake Marion Preserve Thanks to a Conservation Buyer
Lake Marion Preserve contains federally listed and state listed flora and fauna species including a rare habitat known as Rosemary Scrub. As habitat management is undertaken on the Preserve, the area is anticipated to increase its’ listed species utilization.
A friend of Florida, who wishes to remain anonymous, worked with Conservation Florida to outbid a developer and purchase 700+ acres on Lake Marion in Polk County.
Haines City, Fla. (July 27, 2021) – Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation and partner in the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, announced today the temporary protection of Lake Marion Preserve. The group plans to permanently protect the land with Polk County, US Fish and Wildlife, and other partners.
“Working with a conservation buyer allowed us to move quickly to get this high-priority property off the market,” said Adam Bass, Conservation Florida’s director of conservation. “There were competing bids from developers, but now we have time to pull together funding for its permanent protection.”
The significance of its location cannot be overstated. Lake Marion Preserve falls within the boundaries of Conservation Florida’s Headwaters to Okeechobee (H2O) Initiative and within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. It is also within the Avon Park Air Force Range’s Sentinel Landscape and adjacent to other protected land.
Once permanently protected, it will expand on current conservation lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor that cover more than 3,000 acres from Catfish Creek Preserve to Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor is a geographic boundary based on decades of scientific research. But it is more than lines on a map. It is a statewide vision for Florida’s conservation lands that addresses the need for landscape-scale conservation approaches, and specifically corridors, to save land critical to the survival of Florida species.
Lake Marion Preserve contains federally listed and state listed flora and fauna species including a rare habitat known as Rosemary Scrub. As habitat management is undertaken on the Preserve, the area is anticipated to increase its’ listed species utilization.
Rosemary scrub habitat, also called rosemary bald, is a relatively open landscape characterized by large Florida Rosemary shrubs (Ceratiola ericoides). While it is locally common in Highlands County and a few other regions of Florida, Florida Rosemary is still under threat from habitat destruction and degradation. The threatened sand skink is found primarily in the rosemary scrub habitat of Central Florida. Photo by Adam Bass.
Due to the overgrown habitat conditions, no Florida Scrub-Jays are currently within the Preserve; however, the adjacent managed public land supports several family groups. The Scrub-Jay Recovery Team identified this property as important to the future of the Florida Scrub-Jay because it contains habitat needed by the birds to increase the number of family groups in the area. With proper management the preserve is anticipated to provide additional habitat not just for Florida Scrub-Jays but for a suite of species.
The Florida Scrub Jay is the only bird species endemic to Florida, meaning its found nowhere else in the world. It inhabits sand pine and xeric oak scrub, and scrubby flatwoods. It is listed as a threatened species because of loss, fragmentation, and degradation of scrub habitats throughout Florida, due primarily to urbanization, agriculture, and fire suppression. Prescribed burning is an essential element to conserving the Florida Scrub-Jay. Photo by Adam Bass.
“The bigger the population, the better for the species, said Todd Mecklenborg, the Service’s species lead recovery biologist for the Florida Scrub-Jay. As a member of the Florida Scrub-Jay Recovery Team, I believe this property will increase the carrying capacity for the Lake Wales Ridge genetic unit, which means a more resilient and robust population of Florida Scrub-Jays in the area.”
Sand skinks are another threatened species that would benefit from protection and restoration of the habitat at Lake Marion Preserve. “Sand skinks are endemic to xeric habitats found along Central Florida sand ridges, and remnants of ancient coastal dunes created during events when sea levels rose and fell. These habitats include rosemary scrub, scrubby flatwoods, sand pine and oak scrubs, and turkey oak ridge,” according to the Florida Natural Areas Inventory. The Florida sand skink is found only in seven Central Florida counties: Osceola, Polk, Lake, Highlands, Putnam, Orange, and Marion.
With over 400 acres of xeric scrub habitat and over 3 miles of shoreline on Lake Marion, it is critical that partners find the funding to repay the conservation buyer and bring the ownership of the property into public hands.
Conservation Florida and its partners have secured partial funding and are working to sort out the details of ownership and management of the land, but eventually, the partners envision the land as a public park with the addition of a conservation easement held by Conservation Florida
Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About Polk County
Polk County is a leading contributor to the state’s economy and politics. While citrus, cattle, agriculture and the phosphate industry still play vital roles in the local economy, an increased focus on the quickly expanding high-tech I-4 corridor has taken hold. The county’s location between both the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas has aided in the development and growth of the area. Residents and visitors alike are drawn to the unique character of the county’s numerous heritage sites and cultural venues, tourism attractions, stunning natural landscapes, and many outdoor activities, making Polk the heart of Central Florida.
About USFWS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the premier government agency dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife and plants, and their habitats. We are the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of these important natural resources for the American public.
The Service's origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study the decrease in the nation’s food fishes and recommend ways to reverse that decline. (More on our history below.) Today, we are a diverse and largely decentralized organization, employing about 8,000 dedicated professionals working out of facilities across the country, including a headquarters office in Falls Church, Virginia, and eight regional offices representing the 12 Unified Interior Regions.
Conservation Florida and Wildlands Conservation Announce Partnership to Achieve Greater Mission Impact
In addition to its core land protection services, Conservation Florida’s staff will contribute communication and fundraising expertise to the partnership. Wildlands Conservation will pitch in with environmental education and applied conservation research expertise to round out the partnership.
Orlando, Fla. (July 27, 2021) — Conservation Florida and Wildlands Conservation have established a formal partnership that will benefit land conservation throughout Florida.
While both nonprofits work to protect land, their approaches and expertise are diverse and complementary.
Each organization will leverage the strengths of the other to accomplish shared goals in a collaborative and cost-efficient manner.
Conservation Florida and Wildlands Conservation have been collaborating on projects for the past year. They recognized through these joint efforts that each organization’s goals, objectives, and values were in close alignment.
"This is a perfect example of a strategic partnership that elevates the missions of each partner,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “Wildlands brings scientific and land management skills that adds to our team’s legal and real estate expertise. Together, we will be able to save more ecologically important land – faster and more effectively.”
Conservation Florida’s mission is to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations, while Wildlands Conservation mission is to conserve and manage wildlands.
“We believe that this collaboration represents an example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Both our organizations and staff look forward to this partnership for years to come,” said David Sumpter, executive director of Wildlands Conservation.
In addition to its core land protection services, Conservation Florida’s staff will contribute communication and fundraising expertise to the partnership. Wildlands Conservation will pitch in with environmental education and applied conservation research expertise to round out the partnership. Their staff includes ecologists, researchers, environmental educators, wildlife biologists, and land managers.
Partnerships are an important part of Conservation Florida’s statewide land protection strategy. Working with like minded individuals, businesses, and organizations allows the land conservancy to expand its reach and further its mission.
Through the power of partnership, the two land conservancies will be able to make land-saving strides towards their shared vision for Florida’s conservation future.
Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About Wildlands Conservation
Wildlands Conservation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specializing in conservation planning and policy, land management, land protection, research, education, and outreach. The organization works on conservation projects throughout Florida. It's mechanisms for conserving lands are ever-changing and a direct function of its staff’s expertise. Wildlands Conservation aims to share accurate and up-to-date information with environmental professionals who work hands-on with threatened and endangered species and offers an internship program to train the next generation of conservation biologists.
Conservation Florida Secures Funding For a Ranch in the Heart of the Florida Wildlife Corridor
Conservation Florida and its partners at USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) are working to protect a 1,009-acre working cattle ranch in Highlands County.
Conservation Florida and its partners at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are working to protect a 1,009-acre working cattle ranch in Highlands County.
Lake Placid, Fla. (July 15, 2021) – Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation and partner in the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, is one step closer to acquiring a 1,009-acre conservation easement in Highlands County thanks to the power of partnerships.
Thanks to NRCS Florida’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program for Agricultural Land Easements Grasslands of Special Significance (ACEP-ALE-GSS) program, Conservation Florida has secured nearly $2 million to protect AP Ranch, which lies in a strategic location next to other protected lands. Identified as a critical linkage, this property is among the Florida Ecological Greenways Network’s highest priorities, and once protected, will build upon an unbroken chain of conservation properties within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Conservation Florida placed the property under contract to protect the land in April. Three months later it is working with partners to complete the purchase of a conservation easement, which will protect the property’s natural and agricultural landscapes.
Protecting these vast landscapes is important for water storage and filtration, native grasslands and plant communities, and for species that require a lot of room to roam, such as Florida black bears which have been seen on the property. These wide-ranging species are dependent on the conservation of connected natural lands for their survival.
The protection of AP Ranch will add 1,009 acres of critical conservation land to the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide ecological greenway connecting the Everglades to the Panhandle. This will ultimately provide wildlife with access to safe passageways between conservation areas throughout the state.
“Primarily composed of native range, longleaf pine flatwoods, cutthroat seep and wetlands, this unbelievable ranch is home to an abundance of documented native and endangered wildlife,” said Adam Bass, Conservation Florida’s director of conservation. “Florida panthers, black bears, gopher tortoises, and rare grasses found only in Florida...this property’s protection will be a home run. We’re pleased and honored to work with this landowner to meet their conservation goals,” said Bass. “That’s what Conservation Florida is here for. We’re looking forward to protecting this piece of wild Florida together with the landowner and our partners.”
The ranch is also located within the boundaries of Conservation Florida’s H2O: Headwaters to Okeechobee initiative, a land conservation initiative that’s all about water in the Northern Everglades. This vital and vibrant landscape contains historic cattle ranches, sweeping vistas, and thriving ecosystems.
The map above shows AP Ranch’s connection to other protected lands.
In addition to being a working family ranch, this outstanding property contains a mosaic of natural habitats. Towering longleaf pine covers swaths of wire grass and saw palmettos. The area’s dominating flatwoods intertwine with native grasses and rare plant species to create a classic example of Florida’s natural beauty.
During a site visit to the property, the Conservation Florida team documented cutthroat grass communities. The protection of cutthroat grass is important because this species of grass is only found in five Florida counties. Not only does this native grass contribute to the integrity of Florida’s natural ecosystems, but it also provides a home to important species such as the federally threatened Eastern indigo snake.
The property’s multitude of habitats provide shelter for several state and federally threatened species such as the Florida scrub jay and the Florida panther. Iconic, and quickly disappearing species such as these, rely on the continued protection of conservation lands for their survival.
At a time when Florida’s last, large ranchlands are under intense development pressures, Conservation Florida has made ranchlands in the Northern Everglades a top protection priority.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded Conservation Florida a grant to protect this important property via its Grasslands of Special Significance program.
“Conservation of this property provides numerous ecological and economic benefits in this area. Having partners like Conservation Florida is essential to preserving Florida’s natural spaces,” said Juan Hernandez, Florida State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The NRCS administers the ACEP-ALE-GSS, which provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits.
Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About NRCS
NRCS puts more than 80 years of experience to work assisting America's private landowners with conserving their soil, water and other natural resources. Local, state and federal agencies and policymakers also rely on our expertise. We deliver technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs. Cost shares and financial incentives are available in some cases. The majority of conservation application is accomplished with local partners. Our partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in Florida. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.
Conservation Florida Establishes Inaugural Regional Advisory Council in Northwest Florida
The Northwest Advisory Council will serve as a community champion of Conservation Florida and its work in the area. It will build a community that informs the organization’s decisions on the needs specific to northwest Florida.
Conservation Florida has created its first regional advisory council in the Florida panhandle.
Pensacola, Fla. (July 1, 2021) — The Northwest Advisory Council will serve as a community champion of Conservation Florida and its work in the area. It will build a community that informs the organization’s decisions on the needs specific to northwest Florida.
“Conservation Florida’s creation of the Northwest Advisory Council addresses a critical need in our region. Conservation Florida has such a tremendous reputation throughout the state of working with private landowners to protect wild and working landscapes. I am honored to be a part of such an important group,” said Justin Beck, chairman of council.
Conservation Florida’s Northwest Advisory Council will provide the land conservancy with more in-depth, personal knowledge of the region that can be used to continue developing its holistic statewide strategy.
By learning more about the conservation priorities of Northwest Florida through its regional advisory council, Conservation Florida will be able to tailor its statewide conservation strategy to the unique challenges and opportunities in that area.
The council will increase Conservation Florida’s statewide impact by fostering a network of likeminded people and organizations committed to Florida’s conservation future.
“Protecting what makes Northwest Florida special for future generations is something I believe in dearly,” said Justin. “Having the opportunity to work with Conservation Florida is a chance to really make a difference and preserve the special places and way of life we enjoy here.”
The Northwest Advisory Council will ensure that the area gets regional representation in the land conservancy’s statewide conservation goals. This is the first of several regional advisory councils that will allow Conservation Florida to create a one-of-a-kind conservation plan for Florida that addresses regional differences.
Northwest Florida is a priority for Conservation Florida and a large component of the organization’s statewide strategy. Viewing the state regionally gives a clearer picture of the work that needs to be done and how the Conservation Florida team can adjust its land protection plans for different areas throughout the state.
In 2019, Conservation Florida protected the 717-acre property called Wakulla Caves as a part of a larger strategy to save land within the Wakulla Springs Protection Zone Florida Forever project. This Northwest Florida gem protects freshwater resources, offers world-class scuba diving and recreational opportunities, and solidifies a conservation corridor with key habitat for native plants and wildlife.
Conservation Florida plans to create more advisory councils in the areas its serves, such as Greater Central Florida and South Central Florida/Northern Everglades. This will strengthen its statewide presence, address the specific needs of the different regions of Florida, and allow its team to tailor conservation plans to the unique wild Florida areas it works in.
“We are building communities throughout the state in the areas in which we work to better understand the specific needs, community values, and goals of each region,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO.
From the Everglades to the Panhandle, our landscape-scale projects are saving some of the rarest ecosystems and plant and animal species in the world.
Interested in getting involved with a regional council?
Email info@conserveflorida.org to learn more about how you can be a part of Florida’s conservation future and make a statewide impact!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
Fighting to Preserve Florida’s Natural Beauty For Generations
Adam Bass’s agriculture roots and passion for conservation are on full display as he works as the director of conservation for Conservation Florida.
Republished with permission. Originally published in In The Field Magazine May 2021, Polk Edition
Photo by Adam Bass
Fighting to Preserve Florida’s Natural Beauty For Generations
Photo of Adam Bass by Lloyd Green.
Adam Bass’s agriculture roots and passion for conservation are on full display as he works as the director of conservation for Conservation Florida.
To outsiders Florida often comes across as a tourist haven, but locals know that the state’s true beauty lies in its natural wildlife and agricultural roots.
Adam Bass spent his childhood running among citrus groves and helping his family grow blueberries and work cattle in Winter Haven. He fell in love with Florida’s natural beauty and now works as a director for Conservation Florida to help preserve the agricultural and wild land that is left.
“Our primary tool for conservation is the conservation easement,” Bass said. “In layman’s terms, we essentially are buying development rights so that farmers or ranchers or landowners can continue to farm, ranch, hunt, recreate on their property. We just don’t want to see houses out there in the future. That’s kind of one of our unofficial mottos, ‘Ranches, not rooftops.”
Conservation Florida is a “statewide accredited land trust working to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations.” The group was founded in 1999 as Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit land trust. Bass spends his days working with landowners to preserve Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes. Over the past few decades the group has helped protect more than 25,000 acres of land and is currently leading protection projects on more than tens of thousands of acres.
Bass said it was something close to fate that drew him to the group. His strong roots in agriculture developed in him a deep love and appreciation for Florida’s environment. He was approached to consider joining Conservation Florida as a board member and simultaneously saw they were looking for a director of development. When the subject was broached that he might consider the position, it was a leap of faith, but one that seemed to mesh perfectly with his background. He said he’s thrilled he took the leap and was considered for the position as he now gets to spend his days working toward a cause he’s long been passionate about.
His agriculture roots, passion for conservation and the eight years he worked in real estate made the transition into director of conservation a challenge he was eager to meet. He’s now been at the position for approximately a year and a half and said the group’s current focus has heavily been on the Everglades’ Headwaters and Northwest Florida. The clock is ticking to conserve the land and the group continues to foster partnerships with landowners, state and federal entities to keep Florida a natural and agricultural haven.
Prior to joining Conservation Florida, Bass managed a 2000-acre farm and cattle operation and served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps with two tours in Iraq. His love of Florida is a passion he strives to pass down to his children. Bass and his family live in Lake Wales and he said he, his wife Kim, his son Max and his daughter Haddie are constantly outdoors.
“I raise my kids out in the woods,” Bass said. “We like to hunt, we like to fish. We’re just an outdoor family that loves to be outside. I’m teaching them to respect this land and they enjoy our time outside just as much as I do.”
Florida’s beauty is one of many reasons people flock to live in the Sunshine State. The demand for development is overwhelming and creeping into every nook and cranny of the state. It’s a story everyone has heard time and again: city’s cave to residential, commercial, or industrial development and agree to tear up woods or carve over fields in order to make room for the onslaught of new business and residents.
Many landowners feel at a loss for what to do to protect their property from future development. That’s where Bass and the team at Conservation Florida come in. He said he’s the guy that’s out in the field talking to ranchers, farmers, and landowners to help them get a plan in place for conservation. There’s a variety of ways that can happen, including conservation easements or land donations, but at the end of the day the group shows landowners that there is a chance to preserve the property in its current form.
“We are the only homegrown land trust that focuses on the state of Florida as a whole,” Bass said. “We work with all the land trusts in the state, but we focus on particular regions like the Everglades Headwaters, Central Florida, Northwest Florida, basically everything west of Tallahassee. There are some great land trusts like Alachua Conservation Trust, North Florida Land Trust, Tall Timbers, and Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. They really do a great job regionally in their areas so we don’t work there unless we are asked to work there. But our goals are basically to protect family farms and ranches, and we also protect wild lands, that’s what we do. In fact, our mission statement is ‘conserving Florida’s natural and agricultural lands for future generations.”
Bass said he understood why people want to move to Florida. After all, it’s the state he proudly calls home. But he wishes that the state could “grow a little smarter.” He mused that perhaps the better answer is redevelopment rather than pushing over the citrus groves and strawberry fields and large ranch lands.
If you’re involved in a nonprofit focused on conservation or Florida ranch advocacy, odds are you either have met Bass or are aware of his hidden talent: wildlife and land photography. It started as a hobby, something he decided to dip his toes into as he was already spending so much time outdoors. His love for this land led him to try to capture some of its natural beauty and overtime his photographs have begun to spring up in groups all over the state.
Conservation Florida, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and a variety of other nonprofit groups have reached out to Bass in hopes of using his photos to further their fight toward preserving Florida. He said he gladly gives the photos for free to groups that he believes are aiming to protect these lands.
Though he’s not one to speak much on himself, Bass’ passion for Florida conservation is evident in everything he does. He’s a man that is using his talents to make the world a better place and his dedication bleeds into every aspect of his life. Whether he’s working tirelessly with Conservation Florida or taking his kids on a fishing trip, he makes it a point to take a snapshot of the land we call home and hopes that the generations that follow will be able to see the same natural beauty reflected through the lens of their cameras.
Photo by Adam Bass
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
Conservation Florida Celebrates Signing of Florida Wildlife Corridor Act
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into law today, and Conservation Florida celebrates this bipartisan win for Florida’s conservation future.
Tallahassee, Fla. (June 30, 2021) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into law last night and Conservation Florida celebrates this bipartisan win for Florida’s conservation future.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act formally recognizes the geographic Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide greenway that spans from the Panhandle to the Everglades and aims to connect large swaths of conservation lands. More, the bill showcases the importance of its permanent protection.
“The signing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act by Governor DeSantis marks a big win for land conservation in Florida and sparks both excitement and inspiration for Florida's conservation future,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. "Conservation Florida is thrilled to celebrate the signing of the Act into law and is grateful for the Governor’s leadership on this historic day.”
The signing of the Act is a true culmination of over a decade of work driven by partnership and spearheaded by the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition and the Path of the Panther initiative.
Conservation Florida, a founding partner of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition, has been a partner in this effort since 2009. A primary driver of the statewide land conservancy’s conservation work is the protection of the Corridor. It works to engage landowners and government partners to protect critical properties to make the corridor vision a reality.
Conservation Florida has been working on connecting key segments of the Florida Wildlife Corridor since its founding in 1999. With the support of its incredible partners and supporters, Conservation Florida is now actively leading the charge to protect tens of thousands of acres within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and looks forward to working with the State of Florida through its Florida Forever program to achieve continued success.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for protecting Florida’s incredible habitats, water resources, and biodiversity for future generations.
The Act recognizes that the state population is growing rapidly and that lands and waters vital to wide-ranging wildlife, like the Florida panther, need to be protected. It aims to incentivize and prioritize conservation and sustainable development within the boundaries of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and conserve Florida’s green infrastructure for the benefit of wildlife, Floridians, and the economy.
"The Florida Wildlife Corridor provides a vision for Florida as a whole that protects the places we all love, provides habitat and room to roam for our native species, cleans and stores water, provides ample outdoor recreational opportunity, supports Florida’s family farms and ranches, all while accounting for Florida’s future growth,” said Deen.
This coordinated, statewide effort to protect natural corridors would ultimately provide wildlife with access to safe passageways between conservation areas. Without wildlife corridors, iconic species like the Florida panther are at risk of becoming isolated in small islands of protected lands. Corridors allow individual animals from different sub-populations to successfully comingle and move to different habitats to find food and water as part of their natural migration patterns.
Earlier this year, Gov. DeSantis signed the 2021 Florida State Budget into law, providing $400 million to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of State Lands to conserve land through its Florida Forever program. Importantly, $300 million of that money will prioritize the conservation of wildlife corridors and both natural and agricultural landscapes. This is important as over 2 million acres of the Florida Wildlife Corridor are ranchlands, the protection of which are critical to the success of the Corridor vision.
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition is a unifying voice that provides a window into wild Florida through high quality, impactful, and authentic storytelling. Using a science-based approach, on-the-ground knowledge of the Corridor, and the support of thousands of followers throughout the state and nation, the organization works to identify and elevate the most pressing threats and opportunities facing the Corridor. Seeking landscape-scale conservation, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition cultivates awareness and action through film, photography, painting, drawing, mapping, storytelling, and expeditions.
About the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act creates incentives for conservation and sustainable development while sustaining and conserving the green infrastructure that is the foundation for Florida's economy and quality of life. The Act addresses that the state population is growing rapidly and that lands and waters that provide Florida's green infrastructure and vital habitat for wide-ranging wildlife, such as the Florida panther, need to be preserved and protected.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act aims to:
Maintain wildlife access to the habitats needed to allow for migration and genetic exchange amongst regional wildlife populations.
Prevent fragmentation of wildlife habitats.
Protect the headwaters of major watersheds, including the Everglades and the St. Johns River.
Providing ecological connectivity of the lands needed for large-scale ecosystem functions, such as water and prescribed burns that are essential for land management and restoration.
Preserve and protect land and waters that are not only vital to wildlife, but are critical to the state's groundwater recharge and serve as watersheds that provide drinking water to most Floridians as well as help maintain the health of downstream coastal estuaries.
Providing wildlife crossings for the protection and safety of wildlife and the traveling public.
Help to sustain Florida's working ranches, farms, and forests that provide compatible wildlife habitat while sustaining rural prosperity and agricultural production.
Image Credit: Adam Strang Bass on a current Conservation Florida project located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor
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Conservation Florida Wins Full Funding for Arbuckle Creek Ranch
Conservation Florida and its partners at Avon Park Air Force Range and NRCS have successfully secured funding to save the 1,250-acre Arbuckle Creek Ranch. The land will protect vital wildlife habitat, including Florida’s endangered cutthroat grass, and help sustain military readiness activities.
Arbuckle Creek winds its way through Highlands County toward Lake Okeechobee. Photo by Graham Norman.
Conservation Florida and its partners at Avon Park Air Force Range and NRCS have successfully secured funding to save the 1,250-acre Arbuckle Creek Ranch. The land will protect vital wildlife habitat, including Florida’s endangered cutthroat grass, and help sustain military readiness activities.
Avon Park, Fla., (June 15, 2021) — Conservation Florida, a dynamic driver of statewide land conservation, is moving quickly to protect 1,250 acres in Highlands County.
This will be one of many conservation lands to be permanently protected by Conservation Florida within its Headwaters to Okeechobee (H2O) regional partnership boundary. The H2O is a land conservation initiative that’s all about water in the Northern Everglades. This vibrant landscape contains historic cattle ranches, sweeping vistas, and vast ecosystems. Because it forms the headwaters of the Greater Everglades, its protection is critical for the future of Florida’s freshwater supply.
The owners of Arbuckle Creek Ranch signed an agreement with Conservation Florida in mid 2020 that gave the nonprofit time to seek funding to purchase a conservation easement, which is a binding legal agreement that permanently restricts development activities on environmentally sensitive lands.
A cowboy rides out on a foggy morning to tend cattle on Arbuckle Creek Ranch. Photo by Carlton Ward, Jr.
Conservation Florida achieved its fundraising goal through competitive federal grant programs and is now finalizing plans to permanently protect the land’s special attributes.
Arbuckle Creek Ranch is important to protect and beneficial to the public because it helps filter and replenish drinking water within the Lake Istokpoga watershed, which drains into the Kissimmee River and on to Lake Okeechobee. It also supports local agriculture, aids military readiness, and provides habitat for native plants and wildlife.
The ranch is within the boundaries of the Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) Sentinel Landscape. This vast landscape is centered around the Air Force’s “largest primary air-to-ground training range east of the Mississippi River,” according to APAFR.
“The protection benefits of Arbuckle Creek Ranch extend well beyond its boundaries,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “It contributes to the health of the entire Greater Everglades Ecosystem and adds to the Florida Wildlife Corridor.”
Last year, the U.S. Dept. of Defense, through its Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, pledged over $1.7 million to support Conservation Florida’s campaign to protect Arbuckle Creek Ranch.
Now, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded Conservation Florida and its regional partners the remaining funds needed to carry Arbuckle Creek Ranch over the finish line and protect this special property forever.
“When private landowners, nonprofits, and agencies work together, we can protect critical ranch lands within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape. Partnerships such as this one are helping to keep the ranching industry viable in Florida while protecting threatened ecosystems and wildlife,” said Juan Hernandez, NRCS state conservationist for Florida.
The NRCS administers the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program for Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE), which provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits.
In addition to the water, wildlife, and habitat benefits, protection of Arbuckle Creek Ranch will benefit Avon Park Air Force Range by reducing residential development that interferes with military operations.
“We are extremely grateful to NRCS for their support and are pleased to see this project move forward. Working in conjunction with NRCS and Conservation Florida to acquire a conservation easement on Arbuckle Creek Ranch is a tremendous opportunity to protect working lands, promote conservation, and enhance mission sustainability at Avon Park Air Force Range,” said Buck MacLaughlin, Lt. Col., Ret. AF. “Protecting this property buffers the flight path into Arbuckle Airfield and protects night-time military training by limiting dense construction of incompatible light sources. The ability to operate at night is a distinct advantage that our military forces use while serving our country.”
“Arbuckle Creek Ranch is an exceptional property,” said Adam Bass, Conservation Florida’s director of conservation. “It will protect a mile of natural land along Arbuckle Creek, two pristine streams, rangelands that are part of Highland County’s cultural heritage, and hundreds of acres of critical habitat.”
At a time when Florida is facing intense development pressures, ranchlands are sought after for conversion into large housing developments and planned communities. Conservation Florida has made ranchlands in the Northern Everglades a top protection priority within its Headwaters to Okeechobee regional land and water conservation initiative.
Arbuckle Creek Ranch is a family-run cow-calf operation where a herd of cattle is managed with the goal of raising calves to sell. It is also home to an endangered cutthroat grass community that spans 300 hundred acres.
The natural habitat on the property is also ideal for Florida scrub jays, eastern indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises. Florida panthers, and other endangered Florida species, have been documented on the ranch.
The Arbuckle Creek Ranch conservation easement project is one of many that Conservation Florida is working on in the Greater Everglades ecosystem. The larger goal of the regional initiative is to form a continuous conservation corridor stretching from the Everglades Headwaters to Lake Okeechobee.
Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About NRCS
NRCS puts more than 80 years of experience to work assisting America's private landowners with conserving their soil, water and other natural resources. Local, state and federal agencies and policymakers also rely on our expertise. We deliver technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs. Cost shares and financial incentives are available in some cases. The majority of conservation application is accomplished with local partners. Our partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in Florida. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.
About Avon Park Air Force Range
Avon Park Air Force Range is a 106,000-acre military training facility located in Polk and Highlands Counties, in South-Central Florida (see our official mission statement). The Fish, Wildlife, and Outdoor Recreation Program works in coordination with the Air Force to provide recreational opportunities to the public and military personnel.
APAFR is known as a world-class destination for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, birding, and outdoor educational opportunities for all ages.
Announcing Florida Cattle Ranchers as “This Brand Saves Land™” Corporate Partner
Conservation Florida is proud to announce Florida Cattle Ranchers as the first corporate partner for the organization’s This Brand Saves Land™ corporate philanthropy campaign.
Orlando, Fla. (June 10, 2021) - Conservation Florida is proud to announce Florida Cattle Ranchers as the first corporate partner for the organization’s This Brand Saves Land™ corporate philanthropy campaign.
Florida Cattle Ranchers, or FCR, has committed to ensuring a healthy future for Florida in partnership with Conservation Florida by donating to support the land conservancy’s mission to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations.
When customers purchase Florida Cattle Ranchers Beef, a percentage of those sales will support Conservation Florida’s land protection capabilities as a part of the organization’s statewide effort to save critical ecosystems and wildlife corridors forever.
“This partnership is huge for the Florida Cattle Ranchers. We are thrilled to be working alongside Conservation Florida because we’re confident that this partnership will enable us to achieve new heights in conservation throughout our state,” said Gene Lollis, FCR founding member and chairman of the board.
FCR’s mission is to bring Florida consumers homegrown beef using time-honored traditions, wholesome and humane practices, and an intentional focus on the sustainability of Florida’s land and water resources with transparency and integrity. Driven by heritage and collaboration, FCR strives to make its mark by providing beef that’s born and raised in Florida.
As a This Brand Saves Land™ corporate partner, FCR has joined Conservation’s Florida’s fight for Florida. The partnership shows the strength of likeminded brands coming together and actively allows organizations to partake in practicing their Florida-focused values.
“It’s vitally important that Florida and our country at large get serious about land conservation to preserve this land before it’s gone,” said Gene Lollis.
Conservation Florida’s partnership with Florida Cattle Ranchers, and others within the campaign, is a driving force behind their ability to continue forging a conservation future in Florida. The effects of Conservation Florida’s land saving work are amplified and multiplied when we come together as Floridians to protect what is precious within our state.
Growing by nearly 1,000 newcomers each day, how we manage our natural resources over the next 10 years – what we save and what we pave – will undoubtedly determine Florida’s conservation future and the future of Florida as a whole.
“This state is not sustainable unless we preserve Florida’s ranch land that provides the resources necessary for survival like clean air, water recharge areas, green space and habitats for endangered species,” said Cary Lightsey, a founding member of FCR. “My old saying has always been, ‘people don’t come here to see a housing development, they come here to see our beautiful ecosystem’.”
By partnering with businesses that share the same vision for Florida’s conservation future, Conservation Florida will expand its programs, its land protection pace, and propel the land conservancy to new conservation heights. This Brand Saves Land™ is a way for businesses to highlight their values, social responsibility, and how they are giving back to the community.
“We are proud to be partnering with the Florida Cattle Ranchers to achieve a joint vision for Florida,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “We’re eager to link arms with Florida-based brands that love this state and want to keep it wildly beautiful.”
Interested in joining forces for the protection of natural and agricultural landscapes throughout Florida?
Become a This Brand Saves Land ™ Corporate Partner and commit to conservation. Businesses that link arms via This Brand Saves Land™ will play a vital part in protecting Florida’s future. Join us!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
2021 Bioblitz attendees explore and support D Ranch Preserve
Conservation Florida’s very own piece of wild Florida, D Ranch Preserve, was opened to the public for the first time on May 22 for the organization’s annual bioblitz. 256 observations were made on iNaturalist of at least 87 different species.
Conservation Florida’s very own piece of wild Florida, D Ranch Preserve, was opened to the public on May 22 for the organization’s annual bioblitz.
Driven by curiosity and the love of nature, more than 50 participants traveled from Tallahassee, Tampa, and beyond to the 476-acre preserve to hear from subject matter experts and log local biodiversity.
D Ranch Preserve is teeming with life and on May 22, with eager explorers as well. The group recorded 256 observations on iNaturalist of at least 87 different species during the four-hour bioblitz.
Some of the species observed were: eastern coral snake, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, southern black racer, oak toads, blue dasher, sand blackberries, sunshine mimosas, gopher tortoises, tarflower, American beautyberry, and yellow milkwort.
The information gathered during the bioblitz will not only help Conservation Florida learn how to best manage D Ranch Preserve, but it will also contribute to the collection of scientific data through iNaturalist.
To learn more about the species documented during our D Ranch Preserve bioblitz event, please check out our project on iNaturalist!
Trekking the Trails
Photo by Will Guensler
The morning began with a difficult decision, take the bright and early birding tour or go gopher tortoise spotting.
Birding experts, Deborah Green, Peter Kleinhenz, and Heather Levy led a group through the preserve and identified the songs of a Carolina Wren, spotted sandhill cranes flying above, and more!
Neal Halstead led his group to several gopher tortoise burrows and used a camera to peek inside them in search of gopher tortoises. Not only did they find tortoises, but gopher frogs and wolf spiders as well! More than 350 species benefit from gopher tortoises and their burrows. Read more here about why this makes them a keystone species!
Next, participants hiked with Dr. Marc Behrendt looking for hidden reptiles and amphibians. Luckily, an eastern coral snake and a Florida bark scorpion were spotted in enough time for those nearby to back away!
Photo by Will Guensler.
Marcie Clutter took a group through trails to identify as many plants as possible. Some of the highlights were Florida prickly-pear cactus, tarflower, and scrub roseling.
Finally, Conservation Florida staff Adam Bass and Lillian Dinkins took those who were not exploring and bioblitzing on their own through the unique habitats of D Ranch Preserve to show guests the importance of conservation and property management.
Read more about D Ranch preserve here.
Special Thanks
Thank you to our volunteers and participants who helped make this special bioblitz a success. We hope to welcome you back to D Ranch Preserve very soon!
Photo by Conservation Florida staff.
Support D Ranch Preserve
Conservation Florida plans to open D Ranch Preserve in its full glory as a public preserve that is protected forever. Join us in our efforts to support the conservation and exploration of wild Florida land.
Please consider making a donation to fund Conservation Florida’s land management and public opening of D Ranch Preserve so that it may be enjoyed by all for years to come!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
Partnership and Philanthropy Save 278 acres on Florida’s Santa Fe River
“We wish to show our appreciation for the opportunity this Country has provided us by contributing this beautiful piece of property along the Santa Fe River, in Alachua and Bradford Counties,” said Dale Lundgren, speaking on behalf of himself and his wife, Helen. The couple has owned the property for over 40 years.
Photo of Santa Fe River by ACT staff.
Gainesville, Fla. (May 26, 2021) – Together, two land trusts, Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) and Conservation Florida, will permanently conserve 278 acres on the Santa Fe River. Additionally, 236 of those acres will become Alachua County’s newest preserve owned and operated by Alachua County. The land trusts will jointly hold a conservation easement over the preserve and surrounding acreage.
This pristine habitat in the Upper Santa Fe River basin is forever protected thanks to a generous donation by landowners Dale and Helen Lundgren.
“We wish to show our appreciation for the opportunity this Country has provided us by contributing this beautiful piece of property along the Santa Fe River, in Alachua and Bradford Counties,” said Dale Lundgren, speaking on behalf of himself and his wife, Helen. The couple has owned the property for over 40 years.
The Santa Fe River begins its 75-mile westerly journey at Lake Santa Fe northeast of Gainesville. It meanders toward the Suwannee River, where it empties, flowing underground in O’Leno State Park through an intricate cave system and emerging at River Rise Preserve State Park.
Along the way, it passes by the Lundgrens’ property – a special slice of Florida that spans a mile of the Santa Fe River on both the north and south banks.
The Lundgrens’ dream of protecting their cherished family land is now a reality after years of negotiations with Alachua County, ACT, and Conservation Florida. The couple carefully explored their options and found a unique solution to meet their conservation goals for the property.
They donated 236 acres to Alachua County to own and manage as a public preserve. Additionally, the Lundgren’s donated a conservation easement on the property that will be jointly held by ACT and Conservation Florida. The conservation easement provides an additional level of protection by requiring annual monitoring to ensure the land is maintained with conservation in mind as the Lundgrens desire.
“Protection of lands along the Santa Fe River has been the top priority of the Alachua County’s acquisition program since its inception. These donations are a significant step forward in achieving the County’s goals, noted Charlie Houder, Land Conservation and Management Director of Environmental Protection for Alachua County. “In addition to preserving high quality habitat, the land will ultimately provide additional opportunities for public recreation and environmental education.”
The two land trusts, ACT and Conservation Florida, will share these responsibilities and serve as backups for each other. The Lundgrens chose this option understanding the long-lasting responsibility of protecting land.
Together, the three partners will work closely with one another to protect the remarkable habitat on the property and make sure that generations to come are able to visit and enjoy this special preserve.
“Dale and Helen Lundgren’s gift is a critical part of conservation efforts to protect the most critical east-west wildlife corridor in North Central Florida,” said Tom Kay, Executive Director of ACT. “Keeping this corridor intact is not only important for wildlife but also for the water quality and quantity of the Santa Fe River, its springs, and the people in region who depend on it for their drinking water, recreation and livelihood.”
According to Florida State Parks, “the Santa Fe River Sink / River Rise system in O’Leno is the largest swallet-to-resurgence system in Florida.” This rare system “creates a natural bridge that humans have been using to cross the river for over 14,000 years, including native peoples, early Europeans and Florida pioneers.”
“There’s power in partnerships,” said Traci Deen, Conservation Florida’s CEO. “We are happy to work with our fellow land trust and the County to make the Lundgren’s dream come true.”
Butch Parks, Conservation Florida’s previous director of conservation who worked on this conservation project prior to his retirement shared, “I admire Dr. and Mrs. Lundgren’s love for the land, their passion to protect it, and desire to share it with the public. They worked for many years with numerous partners to make sure that it was protected forever.”
View of Santa Fe River. Photo by Conservation Florida staff.
The protection of the Lundgren’s property is the latest success in a larger effort, spearheaded by ACT, that focuses on the Suwannee and Santa Fe watersheds, which contain five state designated Springs Priority Focus Areas. ACT and its partners are working with private property owners in the region to protect working farms, timberlands, and natural areas through private land protection efforts.
Conservation Florida, Alachua County, and ACT have additional land holdings and conservation easements along the Santa Fe River that contribute to the overall goals of the regional initiative.
In addition to protecting scenic views and preventing habitat fragmentation along the Santa Fe River, the preserve offers many benefits to the public including protecting water quality, storing floodwaters, and providing wildlife habitat. It will be managed as a preserve by the Office of Land Conservation and Management under the Alachua County Forever program.
The property is not currently open to the public. Development of public access and recreational amenities is anticipated once the management planning process is complete.
“After our demise,” said Dr. Lundgren in a written statement, “we hope it to become Lundgren Nature Park, for the enjoyment of people, both young and old, in this area. Alachua County has been good to us, and we hope to thank them with this gift.”
Help Conservation Florida save more land and keep Florida wildly beautiful by making a donation today!
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT)
The mission of Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida. ACT protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements in 16 counties. Since 1988, ACT has protected over 55,000 acres, directly purchasing more than 23,000 acres and actively manages 12 preserves for passive recreational use.
About Alachua County: Land Conservation and Management
The mission of the Alachua County Forever is to acquire, improve, and manage environmentally significant lands that protect water resources, wildlife habitats and natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation.
Prepare to BioBlitz like Never Before!
Join us this Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to noon and explore wild Florida! Get an exclusive first-look at D Ranch Preserve while walking trails with experts and learning how to use iNaturalist to count and identify as many species as possible.
This Saturday, May 22, join us from 8 a.m. to noon and explore wild Florida! Get an exclusive first-look at D Ranch Preserve while walking trails with experts and learning how to use iNaturalist to count and identify as many species as possible.
Schedule
8 - 9 a.m.: guided hike options: Bright & Early Birding / Go Gopher Tortoise Spotting
9 - 10 a.m.: guided hike options: Search for Reptiles and Amphibians / Identify Plants on the Property
10 - 11 a.m.: Hike the Habitats of D Ranch Preserve
11 a.m. - noon: Explore and Chat with Conservation Florida Staff
Meet your guides!
8 - 9 a.m.
Bright & Early Birding
Join our experts, Deborah Green, Peter Kleinhenz, and Heather Levy for an exciting bird walk! On this hike, you will learn about Florida’s many beautiful birds and listen for their songs!
Deborah Green is president of Orange Audubon Society, a birder, and native plant gardener. She worked six years as an entomologist, including three years in Puerto Rico, and then turned to science teaching in Central Florida — mostly environmental science at the community college level. Her final job before retirement was as Valencia College’s founding Sustainability Director. As a volunteer through Orange Audubon, she chairs the North Shore Birding Festival committee and enjoys teaching and learning.
Peter Kleinhenz works as the Aucilla Watershed Coalition Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. He also teaches part-time at Thomas University and hosts/co-produces the online video series, Wild Wander. Outside of these jobs, he has served on the board of Apalachee Audubon Society for five years and is currently the chair of the Conservation Committee. Peter earned a B.A. in both Zoology and Mass Communications from Miami University, and earned a Master's of Science in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University. In his free time, Peter enjoys traveling around Florida, around the country, and around the world to search for plants and animals. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and carnivorous plants are his specialties here in the U.S. but he is most interested in rhinos, small cats, freshwater dolphins, and island-endemic birds.
Heather Levy is an avid birder and works as an avian biologist for Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. She studies endemic and endangered southeastern bird species from the pines to the coastal marshes. She received her B.S. in environmental science at Florida State University and graduated with a M.S. in wildlife ecology from the University of Georgia last year. She volunteers on the board of Apalachee Audubon Society and the Florida Ornithological Society. In her free time, she is probably birding and looking for critters!
Go Gopher Tortoise Spotting
Explore D Ranch Preserve with Neal Halstead while in search of gopher tortoises. Be on the lookout for these slow movers and their burrows, which can provide habitat for over 350 other species!
Neal Halstead is Research Director and a Senior Ecologist with Wildlands Conservation in Tampa. He has 18 years of research and field experience in Florida. His primary focus is on conservation issues associated with Florida native species and habitats, with an emphasis on experimental design and analysis of research studies. He is the lead instructor for Wildlands’ FWC-approved Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent training curriculum, and is currently conducting a range-wide study on the federally threatened Florida sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink. Neal completed his B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the University of South Florida.
9 - 10 a.m.
Search for Reptiles and Amphibians
Hike alongside Marc Behrendt in search of some of D Ranch Preserve’s reptiles and amphibians. You may come across eastern indigo snakes and a variety of frogs/toads!
Dr. Marc Behrendt’s first love is herpetology, which inspired him to move to central Florida in 2017 to become involved with the region’s reptiles and amphibians. He teaches anatomy at Celebration High School in and is an adjunct professor with Ohio University. A certified naturalist and active conservationist, Marc is an expert in Herpetology and Entomology, and is an avid birder. During his free time, Marc enjoys spending time outdoors, experiencing and learning Florida’s wild side.
Identify Plants on the Property
Learn about the many unique plants of D Ranch Preserve with Marcie Clutter as you walk a trail on the property. You will be able to identify trees, shrubs, wildflowers and more!
Marcie Clutter is a retired educator and naturalist who has devoted most of her adult years to preserving and studying endangered plants, animals, and birds. Marcie is a past member of the Chassahowitzka Black Bear Working Group, current member of the Big Bend Black Bear Shareholders Group, and volunteered for Defenders of Wildlife for 11 years as the education chairperson for Defenders’ Habitat for Bears Campaign. Marcie has volunteered with the Florida Forest Service for more than 20 years focusing on removing invasive plants from forestry land. Marcie participated in a summer long research project to document avian nests in the Coolville River Delta, AK in 1987, and monitored an RCW cluster for six years in the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest. Marcie is an active member and former board member and President of Hernando Audubon Society of Florida. She is currently assisting ARCI’s Ken Meyer with erecting and monitoring kestrel nest boxes near forestry land in the southwestern part of Citrus County and assisting with short-tailed hawk surveys in south Florida.
10 - 11 a.m.
Hike the Habitats of D Ranch Preserve
Follow Conservation Florida staff Adam Bass, director of conservation, and Lillian Dinkins, conservation programs fellow, through the many ecosystems of D Ranch Preserve. Learn about the property’s habitats and history on a walk through wild Florida.
Adam Bass is a multigenerational Floridian with experience in real estate, agriculture, and art. Before joining us as Director of Conservation, Adam managed a 2000-acre farm and cattle operation, and founded a successful wildlife photography business. Adam also served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps with two tours in Iraq. Adam is looking forward to leading our statewide efforts to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations.
Lillian Dinkins is a recent graduate of Tuskegee University where she majored in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Plant Sciences with a focus in Forestry and Wildlife. She is from Atlanta, Georgia and although she is a city girl, she has a love for the outdoors and a passion for wildlife. She has grown to understand that conservation is important for future generations as well as for people today. Her biggest goal is to help people learn and understand why conservation is important and get people back in nature to see the benefit of being outdoors. While working with Conservation Florida, Lillian hopes to learn about the unique ecosystem of Florida and take photos of wildlife to share what she sees and learns with others.
11 a.m. - Noon
Explore and Chat with Conservation Florida staff
Learn about our current conservation projects, hear more about D Ranch Preserve, and explore more of the property!
We hope that you will join us at our annual Bioblitz this Saturday, May 22, to explore wild Florida and help us identify the species of D Ranch Preserve.
Learn more and register through the link below.
FAQ:
What's a bioblitz?
Participants come together to find, COUNT, and identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as they can spot! You can learn more by watching this short video.
Where is this event taking place?
Our bioblitz is being hosted at Conservation Florida's D Ranch Preserve in Volusia County across from the Lake Monroe Conservation Area.
2655 Reed Ellis Rd.
Osteen, FL 32764
Who should attend?
Everyone! We will have activities throughout the day that are designed to be fun and informative for families, community groups, and people of all ages and abilities. A smartphone is required to participate in the species cataloging activities but not needed to enjoy learning about and experiencing natural Florida.
How much does it cost?
Tickets for adults are $5. Children under 18 are free to attend. Purchasing tickets directly supports our important stewardship work at D Ranch Preserve. With the generous gifts from our friends & neighbors like you, our efforts will continue to be successful. Please consider making an additional donation today.
How is COVID-19 affecting this event?
We are following recommended guidelines from the CDC to provide a safe and enjoyable bioblitz!
How should I prepare?
Plan as you would for any daylong adventure in the great outdoors. Some of the activities are guided hikes that require a considerable amount of walking on trails that might be difficult to navigate. You may encounter a variety of wildlife, including: snakes, mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, tortoises, birds, and butterflies. You should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sunscreen, bug spray, protective clothing, and water. You will also want to check the weather and download a map to your location ahead of time in case cell service is not available along your route.
Please bring your cameras, binoculars, and cell phones - you won't want to miss the opportunity to observe some of Florida's amazing species!
How do I record what I see?
If you haven't already done so, please download the iNaturalist app to your smartphone. This app allows you to record your observations directly to Conservation Florida's bioblitz project. Please visit the iNaturalist tutorials for more information and join our iNaturalist project. Select the location where you plan to participate and record your findings on the day of the event! You can also share your experience on social media using #flbioblitz.
What if I have more questions?
We're here for you. Reach out to us at info@conserveflorida.org. We will also call you and email you periodically as the event date approaches.