The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has completed the purchase of 12,243 acres in Bay County, which will be designated as Sandy Creek State Forest. This acquisition expands the Florida Wildlife Corridor and introduces a new public recreation area in Northwest Florida.
The land was secured through the Florida Forever Program under the Bear Creek Forest project. It is located within the St. Andrew Bay Watershed, offering protection for water quality and flood mitigation in nearby communities. The area features diverse habitats such as longleaf pine forests, wetlands, and floodplains, supporting species like the gopher tortoise, Florida black bear, reticulated flatwoods salamander, and dark-headed hatpins flower.
“With the creation of Sandy Creek State Forest, we’re not only preserving vital ecosystems and expanding wildlife habitat but also connecting conservation lands from Eglin Air Force Base to Apalachicola National Forest,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert.”This new state forest will offer meaningful public access while protecting the natural resources that make our state so special.”
Once open to visitors, Sandy Creek State Forest will provide hiking trails, opportunities for wildlife observation, and outdoor education programs. The Florida Forest Service will manage the property to balance conservation with recreational use while maintaining its role within both the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape and the broader Wildlife Corridor.
“When opened, Sandy Creek State Forest will provide new outdoor recreation opportunities for families, sportsmen and nature lovers in Northwest Florida,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “Through the Florida Forest Service’s stewardship of over 1 million acres of state forest land, we’re expanding access to the outdoors while protecting our natural spaces for future generations to enjoy.”
“The Florida Forest Service is eager to add Sandy Creek State Forest to its conservation efforts alongside our stewardship of 38 other state forests,” said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Florida currently has over 1 million acres of state forest land, protecting some of the state’s most valuable natural resources.”
Governor Ron DeSantis and members of the Cabinet previously approved this acquisition at 97% of its appraised value during a Cabinet meeting.
Florida continues to be recognized for its leadership in land conservation initiatives. Through programs like Florida Forever, significant funding has been allocated toward environmental protection efforts across the state. Since 2019, more than $1.4 billion has been committed to this program—including $950 million dedicated specifically for projects within the Wildlife Corridor—resulting in DEP acquiring over 374,000 acres since that time; approximately 91% falls inside corridor boundaries.
For further details about ongoing conservation efforts or specific information about this program visit FloridaDEP.gov/Lands.
