Tallahassee Celebrates Landmark Conservation Achievement
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in conservation. In a move that marks the 25th anniversary of the Florida Forever program, DEP has secured its largest conservation easement, safeguarding 61,525 acres of valuable forestland within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor situated in Baker and Union counties.
This extensive conservation effort stitches together a critical landscape that spans from Camp Blanding Military Reservation to the Raiford Wildlife Management Area and Osceola National Forest. With this easement, a nearly 100-mile, 1.6-million-acre expanse of conservation land between the Ocala and Osceola national forests is now seamlessly connected.
Alexis A. Lambert, DEP Secretary, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Florida Forever was created to protect landscapes like this one. Conserving this single-owner tract in perpetuity strengthens landscape-scale connectivity while allowing the land to remain in active forest management that supports the local economy.”
The preserved area is vital for several reasons, including its role in protecting forested wetlands, floodplain forests, and basin swamps. This helps maintain water quality, flood protection, and aquifer recharge across three major river basins, a crucial benefit as regional communities expand. Furthermore, it lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, ensuring habitat connectivity for species such as the bald eagle, red-cockaded woodpecker, and eastern indigo snake.
The conservation easement was acquired from Weyerhaeuser, a leading private timberland owner. This land, under sustainable forest management for decades, was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet. Alex Littlejohn, Conservation Director for Weyerhaeuser, commented, “This is a simply tremendous outcome for everyone involved. Environmental stewardship is fundamental to our operations, and this conservation easement was a unique opportunity to support wildlife habitat and connectivity at a huge scale while also continuing to support the local forest economy.”
Florida remains a national leader in land conservation. Through the Florida Forever Program, the state preserves land that offers environmental, recreational, and preservation benefits, enhancing water quality, storm resilience, habitat protection, national security, and outdoor recreation.
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