A joint federal and state effort will preserve thousands more acres of land from Port Charlotte into Central Florida to protect drinking water quality, agriculture and wildlife.

A $47 million conservation initiative is set to protect Florida’s Peace River Valley, a river region that runs from east of Tampa and flows south-southeast toward Port Charlotte, emptying into Charlotte Harbor north of Cape Coral and Sanibel Island. The river valley is essential to Southwest Florida’s drinking water, water quality, agriculture, and wildlife. Funded by $21 million from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the federal grant received approval from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson to be matched by $21 million from Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. An additional $5 million will come from the state’s Florida Forever program. The investment will preserve thousands of acres of land across the watershed.

The Peace River stretches nearly 100 miles from northern Polk County to Charlotte Harbor, and is the largest freshwater source for the estuary, which is designated by the federal government as an Estuary of National Significance. Conservationists stress that protecting the area’s lands is critical to supporting water resources, maintaining wildlife habitats, and sustaining agricultural use amid rising development pressures.

“This partnership showcases Florida’s dedication to conserving our natural landscapes and agricultural lands,” said Simpson, who oversees the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. By pooling resources from federal, state, and local partners, Simpson noted that the project will “preserve our natural resources and safeguard our food supply.”

The Florida Conservation Group (FCG), which has led conservation efforts in the region for over 15 years, will manage the initiative in collaboration with local agencies. FCG’s prior work has already conserved over 37,000 acres in the Peace River Valley. The new funding will accelerate efforts, securing habitats for endangered species like the Florida panther and supporting natural floodplains that guard against storm surges.

FCG’s executive director, Julie Morris, emphasized the importance of this project in light of rapid urbanization.

“Ranches are being replaced by rooftops faster than they can be protected,” she said. Conservationists and regional leaders see the funding as a landmark commitment to preserving Florida’s environmental legacy and sustaining the Peace River Valley for future generations.

It’s not immediately clear how many acres of land will be included in this newest initiative. FCG uses data collection and scientific research to identify wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation priorities, which factors into how the money will be spent. To date, FCG says it has preserved approximately 37,000 acres in the region.