Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of land deals totaling $318 million to protect 86,819 acres across Florida. The agreements include purchasing land and securing conservation easements to limit development while allowing continued agricultural use.
Among the approved projects is an $8.39 million deal for 2,483 acres in central Walton County, where a new state park is planned. The park will serve as both recreational space and a buffer for Eglin Air Force Base.
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The land deals also feature $111.24 million allocated from the Florida Forever conservation program for seven parcels totaling 24,153 acres. Five of these projects involve outright land purchases, while two establish conservation easements that preserve agricultural operations while restricting development.
The largest Florida Forever purchase is a $32.65 million deal for 12,243 acres in Bay County, acquired from Bear Creek Timber LLC. The property, located approximately six miles north of Tyndall Air Force Base, is seen as critical for environmental and military base protection.
In addition to the Florida Forever deals, DeSantis and the Cabinet approved $206.85 million through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program for 13 conservation easements covering 62,666 acres across 10 counties. Conservation easements allow landowners to retain ownership and agricultural use of their land while safeguarding it from future development.
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Julie Morris, executive director of the Florida Conservation Group, emphasized the urgency of these efforts. “These properties provide us with greenspace, food security, wildlife corridors, clean air, and clean water,” Morris said. “We have a short window of time to do this, as development rapidly encroaches in rural areas. Many of these lands will not be here in five or 10 years. Now is the time where we desperately need funding.”
The largest conservation easement involves a $50.105 million deal to protect 5,875 acres of Bull Hammock Ranch in Martin County. Located 6.5 miles west of Interstate 95, the area faces significant development pressures due to population growth along the nearby coastal regions.
These land conservation initiatives aim to balance Florida’s rapid development with the preservation of critical natural resources, military buffers, and agricultural lands, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits for the state.
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