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At the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governer and Cabinet, 10,464 acres within the Fisheating Creek Ecosystem in Glades County were approved for a conservation easement through the Florida Forever Program. Fisheating Creek is the only undammed tributary to Lake Okeechobee, and the surrounding prairie and flatwood landscape provide connectivity and high-quality habitat for species like the swallow-tailed kite and Florida panther. Female panthers are returning to Fisheating Creek for the first time in decades, making this landscape especially important for the northward recovery of the species. .

Thank you to the leadership of landowners Lykes Bros. Inc. and the Department of Environmental Protection for coming together to make this opportunity possible.

Instagram tags: @fl.dep, Photos by @carltonward, Photo 5 by @leyoho / @wildpath

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Photos by @Carlton Ward, Photo 5 by Lauren Yoho / @wildpath

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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Within the Red Hills Region of Jefferson County, two properties totaling 6,929 acres were approved for conservation easements through Florida Forever at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. These easements, which are in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Avalon project area, will protect high-quality habitats for rare and imperiled species like the gopher tortoise, as well as habitat and connectivity for species like the Florida black bear and the bald eagle. These properties are also part of the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape.

Thank you to the leadership of the landowners, the Department of Environmental Protection, and Saunders Real Estate for coming together to make this opportunity possible.

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

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

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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In Polk County, 3,634 acres of working lands have been approved for a conservation easement with the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. The G-3 Ranch is a cattle ranch that, in addition to improved pasture, has cypress domes, pine flatwoods, and instances of scrub. With encroaching development on two sides, this conservation easement will help to ensure wildlife connectivity and habitat for native and rare Florida species.

Thank you to the landowner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Saunders Real Estate for coming together to protect this property.

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

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Photos by George McKenzie Jr. / @wildpath

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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2,846 acres within the Florida Wildlife Corridor at Cow Creek, St. Lucie County, have been approved for a conservation easement at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. The property is a mix of working pasturelands, woodlands, and wetlands and provides habitat and connectivity for species like the bald eagle, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and gopher tortoise. Approved for protection as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, this property will remain a working cattle operation.

Thank you to the landowner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Natural Resources Conservation Service for coming together to protect this property.

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

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Photos by @ktbryden / @wildpath

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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3,176 acres in south Florida’s St. Lucie County were approved for conservation easement at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. Located within the Bluefield to Cow Creek Florida Forever project area, this easement will help to maintain the rural landscape, natural wetlands, and water resources of the region. In addition to providing habitat and landscape connectivity for rare and native species, the Bluefield to Cow Creek project critically helps to protect water quality in the St. Lucie River Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon.

Thank you to the leadership of the landowners, the Department of Environmental Protection, and Saunders Real Estate for coming together to make this opportunity possible.

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

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

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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The 3,063-acre River Property, located on the banks of the Kissimmee River in Highlands County, was recently approved for a conservation easement at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. This working ranch, which supports a cow-calf operation on improved pastures and has over 300 acres of wetlands, was protected as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and will remain in operation.

Thank you to the landowner, The Florida Conservation Group, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for coming together to protect this property.

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

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, @floridaconserve, Photos by @Carlton Ward / @wildpath

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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In Charlotte County, 2,846 acres of working lands at Ryals Citrus and Cattle were approved for a conservation easement at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. This property is an important wildlife and habitat connect between Babcock Ranch and Myakka River State Park. As part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, this property will remain working lands.

Thank you to the landowners, The Florida Conservation Group, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for coming together to protect this property.

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

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

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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1,945 acres around Natural Bridge Creek in Walton County were approved for conservation easement at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. Owned by the Hester family since the 1940s, the property has an intact longleaf pine habitat that has been carefully managed by the family to promote natural regeneration. In addition, a portion of Natural Bridge Creek, a sand-bottomed seepage stream, runs through the property.

Thank you to the Hester Family, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the USDA Forest Legacy Program for coming together to protect this property as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

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

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In DeSoto County, 1,107 acres of working lands in the Peace River watershed have been approved for a conservation easement at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. The Keen Family Ranch was one of the first settlements along Horse Creek, which is a major tributary to the Peace River. It has been a working ranch since the 1940s, and will continue to be so, with this conservation easement helping the area retain its rural character.

Thank you to the landowners, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Florida Conservation Group for coming together to protect this property as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

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

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, @floridaconserve, Photos by @carltonward / @wildpath

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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At the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet, 1,027 acres of working lands at Charlie Creek Cattle in Hardee County were approved for conservation easement. Charlie Creek Cattle is situated along Charlie Creek, a tributary of the Peace River, and is a mix of pasture, wetlands, open marsh, and bottomland hardwoods. This 90-year-old ranch property is part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and will remain a working cattle operation as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

Thank you to the landowner, Florida Conservation Group, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for coming together to protect this property.

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

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

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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643 acres of working lands in Highlands County was approved for protection by conservation easement at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet. The property, called Sandy Gully, is adjacent to Highlands Hammock State Park and Highlands County Preserve. Located on the western slope of the Lake Wales Ridge, Sandy Gully provides connectivity and habitat to many native and rare species, including the Florida black bear, Florida panther, and Sherman’s fox squirrel. The conservation easement is part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, and Sandy Gully will remain a working ranch.

Thank you to the landowner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Saunders Real Estate for coming together to protect this property.

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

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

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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At the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet, 549 acres of working lands in Hardee County were approved for conservation easement as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Grubb Ranch is a working cattle operation with improved pasture and 100 acres of wetlands, along with a portion of Little Charlie Creek. Located a mile from the Lake Wales Ridge, this property is within the Florida black bear’s range and its easement will maintain the open nature of these rural lands.

Thank you to the landowner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Saunders Real Estate for coming together to protect this property.

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

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Photos by George Mckenzie Jr. / @wildpath

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station

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At the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet, 497 acres within the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem of Marion County were approved for acquisition. The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem is home to increasingly rare stands of old-growth longleaf pine sandhills, which once dominated the Florida uplands region. This acquisition is a part of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Florida Forever project, whose acquired properties will become state forest, providing public access for hunting, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and nature appreciation.

Thank you to the leadership of the landowners, North Florida Land Trust, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for coming together to make this opportunity possible.

Instagram tags: @fl.dep, @nflandtrust, Photos courtesy of @fl.dep

Facebook tags: @Florida Department of Environmental Protection, @North Florida Land Trust, Photos courtesy of Florida Department of Environmental Protection

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

Map Facebook tags: Map by Angeline Meeks, @Archbold Biological Station