Welcome to D Ranch Preserve!

Welcome to D Ranch Preserve — a hidden gem in Volusia County where wild Florida comes alive. Tucked along Reed Ellis Road and SR 415, this 476-acre preserve is home to diverse landscapes and native wildlife, offering you a chance to slow down and reconnect with nature.

Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, Conservation Florida permanently protected this special place in 2019. Today, it stands as a gift to the community — a space for outdoor adventure, quiet reflection, and a deeper appreciation for Florida’s natural heritage.

Now open for recreation, D Ranch Preserve features 3.5 miles of scenic trails perfect for hiking, birdwatching, nature photography, and more. Come explore!

The preserve is a home for many of Florida’s most iconic wildlife, like the Florida black bear, gopher tortoise, and bald eagle. The trails at D Ranch Preserve are suitable for all outdoor enthusiasts of all backgrounds and interests. You’ll will wind through various habitats, including pine flatwoods, wetlands, and oak hammocks.

You might even run into a few critter friends, too!

Trail cameras allow us to share wildlife sighting at D Ranch Preserve.

The calm water of a depression marsh mirrors the tall trees and open sky, offering a peaceful scene of Florida wetlands.

A vibrant & beautiful species of meadow beauty being visited by a bumblebee.

Tall grasses and an abundance of Carolina redroot bathing in warm sunlight.

Scattered young slash pines stand tall in a depression marsh, thriving amidst the wet, grassy landscape.

A majestic Great Blue Heron stands poised in a depression marsh, surrounded by water lilies and marsh grasses, patiently waiting for its next catch.

A serene view of young slash pine sprouting in pasture.

A Gulf fritillary butterfly delicately lands on a spire of pickerelweed.

A bee gracefully approaching a bloom of Roundpod St. John's wort.

A small frog perched on a log, blending into the rustic wooden texture.

D Ranch Preserve was once a working cattle farm, a testament to Florida’s rich agricultural heritage. Since receiving this land as a generous donation, Conservation Florida has responsibly stewarded it using methods like prescribed burning and invasive species management, ensuring that the preserve remains a thriving ecosystem for generations to come.

Thank you to generous businesses and community members for their contributions and support of our prescribed fire program. Prescribed fire plays a vital role in sustaining healthy ecosystems, allowing Florida's iconic wildlife to flourish.

In anticipation of its public opening, Conservation Florida welcomes you to engage in volunteer opportunities throughout 2024. These efforts will focus on trail building, habitat improvement, and other essential activities to prepare the preserve for its grand unveiling.

Support D Ranch Preserve

There are many ways to support us! Whether through a gift in support of our mission, a corporate partnership, or event sponsorship. Every acre we conserve, every habitat we restore, and every drop of water we safeguard is because we have people like you on our side.

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PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Want to help improve D Ranch Preserve for our community to enjoy? Contact us at info@conservationfla.org
Want to help create community at D Ranch Preserve? Contact us at info@conservationfla.org.
Contact our Land Manager Mark at mark@conservationfla.org, if you're interested in donating your time & services!

Interested in making an impact at D Ranch Preserve? Contact us today at info@conservationfla.org or call (352) 376-4770.

The public opening of D Ranch Preserve is made possible through the generous support of Florida Power & Light (FPL) through their charitable arm, the NextEra Energy Foundation. Their commitment to conservation and community engagement has been instrumental in transforming this special place into a haven for wildlife and a cherished public resource.