Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved the protection of more than 21,500 acres of conservation and agricultural land across the state, committing $27.4 million through the Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands Protection programs.

State officials said the acquisitions will strengthen Florida’s conservation network, support military readiness through designated Sentinel Landscapes, and preserve family-owned farms and ranches. The protected lands span multiple regions and are part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide effort to maintain connected natural and working landscapes.

“These investments are about protecting the right lands in the right places,” DeSantis said in a statement. “They help secure clean water, support military readiness, strengthen rural economies, and preserve Florida’s natural heritage.”

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said the easements ensure working lands remain in the hands of Florida families while supporting farming and conservation efforts statewide.

Among the approved projects are two conservation easements totaling 10,996 acres in the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor in Collier and Hendry counties. The properties will enhance connectivity between the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area, providing critical habitat for the endangered Florida panther while allowing continued agricultural use.

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. The land will serve as a buffer for nearby military installations, protect water quality, and support aquifer recharge within the Perdido and Escambia river watersheds. The property lies within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape.

The Cabinet also approved rural lands protection easements for two family-owned agricultural operations. In Putnam County, a 2,060-acre easement will protect the Tilton Family Farm, which has been in operation since 1973 and includes cattle, timber, and row crops. The farm also produces honey and fresh produce for local communities.

In Okeechobee County, a 1,059-acre easement was approved for the Siboney Ranch, a cow-calf operation owned by the same family since 2003. The property sits within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape and preserves agricultural production in a rapidly changing region.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert said the approvals reflect continued state support for conservation initiatives that protect ecosystems, water resources, and working lands.

State officials said the projects approved Tuesday will help maintain Florida’s rural character while balancing conservation, agriculture, and national defense priorities.

Source - https://floridadaily.com