TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved $27.4 million to protect more than 21,500 acres of conservation and farmland across the state through the Florida Forever and Rural and Family Land Conservation Programs.
State officials said the acquisition will strengthen Florida’s conservation network, support military preparedness through designated sentinel landscapes and preserve family farms and ranches. The preserve spans multiple regions and is part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide effort to preserve connected natural and working landscapes.
“These investments are designed to protect the right land in the right places,” DeSantis said in a statement. “They help ensure clean water, support military readiness, strengthen local economies and protect Florida’s natural heritage.”
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said the easement ensures that working land remains in the hands of Florida families while supporting agriculture and conservation efforts across the state.
Among the approved projects are two conservation easements totaling 10,996 acres in the Caloosahatchee-Big Cypress Corridor in Collier and Hendry counties. These facilities will strengthen connectivity between the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area, allowing for continued agricultural use while providing critical habitat for the endangered Florida panther.
In northwest Florida, a 7,437-acre conservation easement in Escambia County was approved as part of the Coastal Headwaters Longleaf Forest Florida Forever Project. This land will act as a buffer to nearby military installations, protect water quality, and support aquifer recharge within the Perdido and Escambia river basins. This property is located within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape.
The Cabinet also approved rural land conservation easements for two family farming operations. In Putnam County, a 2,060-acre easement will protect the Tilton Family Farm. The farm has been in operation since 1973 and grows cattle, timber, and row crops. The farm also produces honey and fresh produce for the local community.
In Okeechobee County, a 1,059-acre easement was approved for Sibony Ranch, a cow-calf operation owned by the same family since 2003. The land is located within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape and protects agricultural production in a rapidly changing region.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert said the approval reflects the state’s continued support for conservation efforts that protect ecosystems, water resources and working lands.
State officials said the projects approved Tuesday will help preserve Florida’s rural character while balancing conservation, agriculture and national defense priorities.
