Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet approved conservation measures Tuesday covering more than 10,770 acres across the state, representing an investment of more than $72.6 million.
The projects include land protected through the Florida Forever program and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, with more than 2,700 acres located within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor.
Among the approvals is a 2,708-acre conservation easement in Putnam County within the Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway Florida Forever Project. The property will help connect the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway State Recreation and Conservation Area with other conservation lands while protecting water resources, wildlife habitat and aquifer recharge areas.
The Cabinet also approved a 3,567-acre conservation easement in Hendry County within the Panther Glades Florida Forever Project. The property will remain in agricultural use while providing a connection between Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area and nearby protected lands.
More than 4,500 additional acres of working agricultural land will be protected through permanent easements under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. That includes 1,034 acres at Limestone Creek Ranch, a cattle ranch that has operated for more than 70 years.
Since 2019, Florida has invested more than $1.5 billion through Florida Forever, protecting more than 500,000 acres, according to the governor’s office.
