Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Wednesday approved the protection of more than 21,500 acres of conservation and agricultural land across four regions of the state, authorizing $27.4 million in acquisitions through the Florida Forever program and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
The approved projects rely primarily on conservation easements, which allow landowners to retain ownership and continue agricultural operations while permanently restricting development. State officials said the approach balances environmental protection, military readiness and rural economic preservation.
Nearly 11,000 acres in Collier and Hendry counties will be placed under conservation easements within the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor, strengthening connectivity between Big Cypress National Preserve, the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area. The land provides habitat for imperiled species, including the Florida panther, while remaining in agricultural use.
In Escambia County, the Cabinet approved a 7,437-acre easement within the Coastal Headwaters Longleaf Forest Florida Forever Project. The property lies within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape and will serve as a buffer for nearby military installations while protecting water quality and aquifer recharge in the Perdido and Escambia river watersheds.
Two rural lands protection easements were also approved. A 2,060-acre family-owned farm in Putnam County will remain in agricultural production, supporting livestock, timber and crop operations. In Okeechobee County, a 1,059-acre ranch located within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape will be preserved as working agricultural land.
