Bald Eagles, gopher turtles, water-season birds and native amphibians at risk of taking their homes are protecting Florida to appreciate their new, protected habitat in Central Florida.
The D Ranch Reserve in West Volcia County has recently been transformed into public land protected from private ranch land that was at risk of being converted to a shopping centre or home. The property consists of 476 acres of wetlands, flatwood, scrubs and pasture habitat east of Lake Monroe, with 3.5 miles of scenic trails for visitors to explore.
“D Ranch is truly a special asset and a victory for massive conservation. Not just for the region, but for the state,” said Traci Deen, president and CEO of Florida Conservation. “Central Florida is growing very fast. We’re losing a critical connector part. This property is added to a larger maintenance environment and that’s important.”
The parcel is just a small portion of the 11,000-acre ranch landscape that has been split over time. Most of the land is currently protected in the Lake Monroe Conservation Area and Beck Ranch Park. D-Rank was a missing piece to complete this land conservation puzzle.
“This is one of the most incredible experiences on hiking and you’re really close to Orlando, but you know you’re in the wild too,” Dean said. “There is a morning when I see a bobcat race and hear the Sandhill Crane call, with the footprints of a vulture and otter family.
Conservation Florida received land donations from an anonymous donor in 2019, and then spent years managing land and recovering native flora and fauna. This is the first property to be published in a collection of protected lands in nonprofit land reserves throughout the state.
“I think there’s a strong desire for public access to property and the whole community will fall in love with real estate as we have,” Dean said.
In addition to the public opportunities for hiking, bird watching and nature photography presented by the land, the property serves as an important wetland for reducing floods.
“The facility is located within the Lake Monroe basin. We can see this facility serving Central Florida after the hurricane, especially during the rainy summers,” Dean said. “The northern part of the site will be 6-9 inches underwater. Store and clean the water before returning to Lake Monroe. Imagine losing its ecosystem and its benefits and losing its benefits.”
As visitors find their way to D Ranch to experience wild land, Florida Conservation plans to convert the barn at the forefront of its property into a nature center thanks to funds from the Volusia Echo and the Big Nova Foundation. In the future, Dean hopes that nonprofits will add equestrian access to equestrians, additional trails, and boardwalks that view wildlife.
Find @pconnpie on Instagram or send an email at pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with coverage of your latest travel, arts and events by subscribing to our newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
If you’re going
D Lunch Preserve is 2655 Reed Ellis Road, Osteen, and is open from dawn until dusk every day. Pets are not permitted except for service animals. For more information, please visit conservationfla.org.
