The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced that the Florida Forever Program has reached its 200th conservation easement, marking the protection of more than 364,000 acres across the state. This achievement coincides with the program’s 25th anniversary.
Established in 2000, the Florida Forever Program aims to conserve native landscapes, watersheds, agricultural and working lands, as well as wildlife habitats throughout Florida. Conservation easements under this program enable private landowners to maintain ownership while restricting development on their properties. These agreements are designed to protect natural and cultural resources for future generations and promote sustainable land use practices. Additionally, agricultural producers operating under DEP’s conservation easements are required to follow best management practices intended to safeguard water quality and environmental health while maintaining productive farms and ranches.
“Conservation easements are one of the most important tools we have to protect Florida’s lands and waters,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “From working farms and ranches to wildlife habitats and scenic landscapes, Florida Forever safeguards the resources that make our state special.”
Several notable conservation easements have been highlighted by DEP:
– The Fisheating Creek Ecosystem in Glades and Highlands counties covers more than 66,000 acres acquired between 2000 and 2025 through four separate easements. This area protects Fisheating Creek—the only undammed tributary of Lake Okeechobee—and provides habitat for species such as the federally endangered Florida panther, gopher tortoise, and red-cockaded woodpecker.
– Nokuse Plantation in Walton County consists of 17,880 acres acquired in 2004. As part of both the Florida Wildlife Corridor and Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape, this property helps preserve water quality in the Choctawhatchee River watershed and offers habitat for imperiled species like the gopher tortoise and Cooley’s meadowrue.
– Avalon Plantation in Jefferson County includes 11,937 acres acquired in 2023. Located within several conservation regions including the Red Hills Region and Florida Wildlife Corridor, it protects upland habitats crucial for species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker.
– Deer Creek Ranch in DeSoto County is a working cattle ranch spanning 5,698 acres acquired in 2024. The property supports both agriculture and conservation by protecting portions of the Peace River watershed while providing habitat for species like the Florida scrub-jay.
– Letchworth Mounds in Jefferson County encompasses 1,270 acres adjacent to an archaeological state park; this site preserves one of Florida’s significant prehistoric ceremonial mound complexes.
With its latest milestone, DEP affirms its ongoing commitment to conserving vital natural resources through collaborations with private landowners across Florida.
More information about these efforts can be found at https://floridaforever.org/.
