Florida Wildlife Corridor Conservation Update

June 2024 Board of Trustees Cabinet Meeting

Digital Media Toolkit

The Florida Governor and Cabinet approved funding for the permanent conservation of 12,128 acres within the Florida Wildlife Corridor during the June 12, 2024 Cabinet meeting.

Please use this digital media toolkit to share this exciting news with your audience.

A message for our partners, colleagues, and friends in Florida: The protected lands of the Florida Wildlife Corridor are a place where our collective missions intersect. Land conservation successes contributing to the Corridor help ensure the long-term survival of many species, provide life support systems for Florida’s cities, improve the health of our waters, and protect natural Florida for future generations. As Florida grows, continued investment in conservation lands is critical to ensure that our wild lands will provide benefits to all Floridians.

Press

June 2024 Cabinet Approvals

Overview: Four Properties Approved for Protection

Deer Creek Ranch property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 5,700 acres. FLDEP, Florida Conservation Group. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Ward Ranch. Cattle work at David E. Ward Jr's Quail Creek Ranch in Hardee County. Photo by Carlton Ward Jr / CarltonWard.com
Clemons Oak Creek property, conservation easement by FDACS, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,801 acres. FDACS. Keith Fountain Law. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch property conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 11, 2024 to protect 1,977 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
State Overview - Jun 24 Properties
Download Overview Carousel Photos and Map

Photos 1, 3, and 4 by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath, Photo 2 by Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath, Map by Angeline Meeks/Live Wildly Foundation

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On June 12, the State of Florida approved funding for the permanent conservation of 12,128 acres across four properties within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. 

Thank you to the leadership of the landowners, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Conservation Group, Keith Fountain Law, and other partners for coming together to make these opportunities possible. 

The properties are Deer Creek Ranch (Photo 1), Myakka Ranchlands Florida Forever Project – Quail Creek Ranch (Photo 2), Clemons Oak Creek (Photo 3), and Heartland Wildlife Corridor Florida Forever Project – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch (Photo 4).  

Heartland Wildlife Corridor Florida Forever Project – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch, Myakka Ranchlands Florida Forever Project – Quail Creek Ranch, and Deer Creek Ranch are to be protected through conservation easements funded through Florida Forever Program at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Clemons Oak Creek is to be protected by a conservation easement funded through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Instagram tags: @fl.dep, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, @floridaconservationfcg, Photos 1, 3, and 4 by @leyoho/@wildpath, Photo 2 by @carltonward/@wildpath, Maps by @angeline.maps, @livewildlyfl

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Environmental Protection, @Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, @FloridaConserve, Photos 1, 3, and 4 by Lauren Yoho/@Wildpath, Photo 2 by @CarltonWard/@Wildpath, Maps by Angeline Meeks/@Livewildlyfl

Download Overview Video and Reel

Video by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath

Deer Creek Ranch

Deer Creek Ranch property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 5,700 acres. FLDEP, Florida Conservation Group. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Deer Creek Ranch property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 5,700 acres. FLDEP, Florida Conservation Group. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Deer Creek Ranch property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 5,700 acres. FLDEP, Florida Conservation Group. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Deer Creek Ranch property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 5700 acres. FLDEP Conservation Group Photo by Drew McDougall / Wildpath Learn more at www.wildpath.com/progress When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Drew McDougall / Wildpath" and provide tags to @drew_mcdougall and @wildpath
Deer Creek Ranch property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 5,700 acres. FLDEP, Florida Conservation Group. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Deer Creek Ranch property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 5,700 acres. FLDEP, Florida Conservation Group. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
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Download Deer Creek Ranch Photos and MapDownload Deer Creek Ranch Reel

Photos 1-3, 5-6 by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath, Photo 4 by Drew McDougall/Wildpath, Map by Angeline Meeks/Live Wildly Foundation

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The 5,700–acre Deer Creek Ranch Florida Forever Project, located in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, was recently approved for a conservation easement through Florida Forever at the June 12 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. 

Thank you to the landowner, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Conservation Group for coming together to conserve this property. 

Deer Creek Ranch is a working cattle ranch within DeSoto County. Protection of the property will help ensure the water quality of the Peace River watershed. Deer Creek Ranch provides crucial habitat and connectivity for many species including Florida scrub jay, gopher tortoise, Florida burrowing owls, sandhill cranes, and other wildlife.

Instagram tags: @fl.dep, @floridaconservationfcg, Photos 1-3, 5-6 by @leyoho/@wildpath, Photo 4 by @drew_mcdougall/@wildpath

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Environmental Protection, @FloridaConserve, Photos 1-3, 5-6 by Lauren Yoho/@Wildpath, Photo 4 by Drew McDougall/@Wildpath

Map Instagram tags: Map by @angeline.maps, @livewildlyfl

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Livewildlyfl

Myakka Ranchlands – Quail Creek Ranch

Myakka Ranchlands – Quail Creek Farms property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 2,649 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Photo by Carlton Ward Jr. www.carltonward.com
Myakka Ranchlands – Quail Creek Farms property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 2,649 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Quail Creek Ranch, Hardee County, Florida, owned by David E Ward Jr and family. Working cattle on Farr Road property.
Myakka Ranchlands – Quail Creek Farms property, conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 2,649 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
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Download Myakka Ranchlands Photos and MapDownload Myakka Ranchlands Reel

Photos 1, 3, and 5 by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath, Photos 2 and 4 by Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath, Map by Angeline Meeks/Live Wildly Foundation

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Myakka Ranchlands Florida Forever Project – Quail Creek Ranch is a 2,650-acre property within the Florida Wildlife Corridor that was recently approved for a conservation easement through the Florida Forever Program at the June 12 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. 

Thank you to the landowners, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Florida Conservation Group for coming together to protect this land. 

Quail Creek Ranch is a working landscape for cattle within Hardee County. The ranch is located between the Myakka River and Peace River watersheds and contains the headwaters of Owen Creek, a tributary of the Myakka River. The land provides habitat for gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, fox squirrels, white-tailed deer, and more.

Instagram tags: @fl.dep, @floridaconservationfcg, Photos 1, 3, and 5 by @leyoho/@wildpath, Photos 2 and 4 by @carltonward/@wildpath

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Environmental Protection, @FloridaConserve, Photos 1, 3, and 5 by Lauren Yoho/@Wildpath, Photos 2 and 4 by @CarltonWard/@Wildpath

Map Instagram tags: Map by @angeline.maps, @livewildlyfl

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Livewildlyfl

Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch

Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch property conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 11, 2024 to protect 1,977 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch property conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,977 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch property conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 11, 2024 to protect 1,977 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch property conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 11, 2024 to protect 1,977 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch property conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,977 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Heartland Wildlife Corridor – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch property conservation easement by FLDEP, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 11, 2024 to protect 1,977 acres. FLDEP. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
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Heartland Wildlife Corridor Photos and MapHeartland Wildlife Corridor Reel

Photos by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath, Map by Angeline Meeks/Live Wildly Foundation

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Heartland Wildlife Corridor Florida Forever Project – Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch has been newly approved for a conservation easement through Florida Forever at the June 12 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. The property is a 1,977-acre cattle ranch within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and Highlands County. 

Thank you to the landowner, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Keith Fountain Law for coming together to make this conservation easement possible.  

Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch is a working cattle ranch that is located south of Highlands Hammock State Park. The ranch is part of the Heartland Wildlife Corridor project, which will create a contiguous corridor of conservation lands along the western edge of Lake Wales Ridge. The ranch contains the headwaters of Fisheating Creek, which flows into Lake Okeechobee. Habitat for the Florida burrowing owl, swallow-tailed kite, Florida panther, sandhill crane, southeastern fox squirrel, and many other species is protected through the conservation of this land.

Instagram tags:@fl.dep, Photos by @leyoho/@wildpath

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Photos by Lauren Yoho/@Wildpath

Map Instagram tags: Map by @angeline.maps, @livewildlyfl

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Livewildlyfl

Clemons Oak Creek

Clemons Oak Creek property, conservation easement by FDACS, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,801 acres. FDACS. Keith Fountain Law. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Clemons Oak Creek property, conservation easement by FDACS, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,801 acres. FDACS. Keith Fountain Law. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Clemons Oak Creek property, conservation easement by FDACS, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,801 acres. FDACS. Keith Fountain Law. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Clemons Oak Creek property, conservation easement by FDACS, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,801 acres. FDACS. Keith Fountain Law. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Clemons Oak Creek property, conservation easement by FDACS, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,801 acres. FDACS. Keith Fountain Law. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
Clemons Oak Creek property, conservation easement by FDACS, presented to the Governor and cabinet on June 12, 2024 to protect 1,801 acres. FDACS. Keith Fountain Law. Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath. Learn more at Wildpath.com/progress. When using in media or social media, please credit "Photo by Lauren Yoho / Wildpath" and provide tags to @leyoho and @wildpath.
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Download Clemons Oak Creek Photos and MapDownload Clemons Oak Creek Reel

Photos by Lauren Yoho/Wildpath, Map by Angeline Meeks/Live Wildly Foundation

Suggested Post:

Clemons Oak Creek was recently approved for a conservation easement at the June 12, 2024, meeting of the Governor and Cabinet through the Florida Forever Program. The 1,801-acre property is in Okeechobee County and within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The property is also in the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape. 

Thank you to the landowners, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Keith Fountain Law for coming together to protect this land. 

Clemons Oak Creek is used as a working land for cattle, watermelon crops, sod production, and wildlife management. The property contains the headwaters of Oak Creek and two creeks that flow into Kissimmee River, which are protected through flowage easements. The land provides habitat for Florida burrowing owls, gopher tortoises, crested caracara, and more.

Instagram tags: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Photos by @leyoho/@wildpath

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Photos by Lauren Yoho/@Wildpath

Map Instagram tags: Map by @angeline.maps, @livewildlyfl

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Livewildlyfl

Suggested Hashtags

#KeepFLWild #ConnectTheCorridor #FloridaWildlifeCorridor

#WildlifeCorridors #ProtectWildPlaces #LandConservation #WildFlorida

Usage Rights

Visuals by Lauren Yoho, Carlton Ward Jr., Drew McDougall, and Angeline Meeks provided for one-time use for coverage or promotion of Florida Wildlife Corridor-related news from the June 12 Board of Trustees meeting, dated June 2024. Copying, sublicensing, sale, distribution, and archiving are prohibited.

Mandatory Social Media Usage Requirements

For images, include the photo credit tag as listed:

  • Instagram: @Wildpath, Photo by @leyoho, @carltonward, @drew_mcdougall (reference photo grids for credit guidance)
  • Facebook: @Wildpath, Photo by Lauren Yoho, @CarltonWard, Drew McDougall (reference photo grids for credit guidance)
  • Twitter: Photo by Lauren Yoho, @CarltonWard, Drew McDougall (reference photo grids for credit guidance)

For maps, include the map photo credits:

  • Instagram: Map by @angeline.maps and @livewildlyfl
  • Facebook: Map by Angeline Meeks, @livewildlyfl
  • Twitter: @AngelineMeeks and @livewildlyfl

Mandatory Online/Print Usage Requirements for Multimedia

Include the photo/map credit:

Photos:

  • Lauren Yoho/Wildpath
  • Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath
  • Drew McDougall/Wildpath

Map: Angeline Meeks, Live Wildly Foundation

Mandatory On-Air Usage Requirements for Multimedia

For on-air usage, include credit with each photo, map, or video used:

Photos:

  • Lauren Yoho/Wildpath
  • Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath
  • Drew McDougall/Wildpath

Map: Angeline Meeks, Live Wildly Foundation