Florida officials have approved the protection of more than 21,500 acres of conservation and agricultural land statewide, including significant tracts in Collier, Hendry, and Okeechobee counties aimed at preserving natural habitats and supporting rural communities.

The acquisitions — supported by programs such as Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program — represent a $27.4 million investment by the state to strengthen environmental and agricultural resilience across Florida.

🐾 Key Land Protections in Southwest Florida

Among the parcels approved:

  • 10,996 acres in the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor, spanning Collier and Hendry counties. These lands connect significant conservation areas — including the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, and the Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area. The protected corridor provides critical habitat for endangered species, water resources and agricultural operations.

  • 1,059 acres in Okeechobee County’s Siboney Ranch Project, protected under a rural lands easement to preserve family-owned agricultural landscapes and sustain working farms into the future.

    These strategic acquisitions help link large swaths of protected land and bolster statewide efforts to maintain ecological connectivity and preserve Florida’s rural character.

🌎 Statewide Conservation and Strategic Goals

The larger package includes additional easements across Florida, ensuring protection for key watersheds, natural forests and agricultural lands. Highlights include:

  • A 7,437-acre conservation easement in Escambia County’s Coastal Headwaters Longleaf Forest project.

  • A 2,060-acre rural lands easement in Putnam County’s Tilton Family Farm Project, preserving long-held family farmland.

State officials say these acquisitions will strengthen Florida’s conservation network, support military readiness through Sentinel Landscapes, and preserve working lands and rural heritage for future generations.

🐆 Why This Matters for Southwest Florida

For Collier, Hendry and Okeechobee counties, these approvals:

  • Expand critical wildlife corridors and protect habitat for threatened species like the Florida panther.

  • Maintain open space and agricultural lands that contribute to local food systems and rural economies.

  • Support water quality and landscape connectivity across ecosystems tied to the Everglades and Gulf Coast environments.

These measures work in tandem with the Florida Wildlife Corridor vision — a statewide effort to secure a continuous pathway of lands connecting major preserves and natural landscapes.

The state’s approval of over 21,500 acres of conservation and agricultural land protections — including almost 11,000 acres in Collier and Hendry counties and key property in Okeechobee — marks a significant step toward preserving Florida’s natural heritage. With long-term ecological, agricultural, and economic benefits at stake, these land protections reinforce Southwest Florida’s commitment to conservation and rural stewardship.