The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has finalized the largest conservation easement in the history of the Florida Forever program, protecting 61,525 acres of working forestland within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor in Baker and Union counties. This action comes as Florida Forever marks its 25th anniversary.
The newly protected land connects Camp Blanding Military Reservation, Raiford Wildlife Management Area, and Osceola National Forest. It closes a major gap in a nearly 100-mile corridor of public and private conservation lands between the Ocala and Osceola national forests.
“Florida Forever was created to protect landscapes like this one,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “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 property includes forested wetlands, floodplain forests, basin swamps, and headwaters that help maintain water quality, provide flood protection, and recharge aquifers across three river basins. The area also lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, ensuring permanent habitat for species such as the bald eagle, red-cockaded woodpecker, and eastern indigo snake.
DEP acquired the conservation easement from Weyerhaeuser, a major private timberland owner. The land has been managed as working forestland for decades. Approval came from Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet at an earlier meeting.
“This is a simply tremendous outcome for everyone involved,” said Alex Littlejohn, Director of Conservation for Weyerhaeuser. “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. This is one of the largest conservation projects we have ever delivered, and we want to thank all our partners — including state leadership and DEP — for helping secure an agreement that will benefit Floridians for many years to come.”
Through programs like Florida Forever, which conserve land providing environmental benefits such as water quality safeguards and storm resilience, Florida continues to be recognized nationally for its approach to land protection efforts. The state also provides recreational opportunities through its parks system.
Governor DeSantis has recommended $115 million for Florida Forever in his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026–27.
According to the official website of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, DEP serves all regions of Florida with statewide environmental protection programs. It acts as Florida’s primary agency for environmental management by protecting air, water, and land resources; overseeing more than 175 state parks; regulating waste management; permitting environmental projects; supporting resilient communities; maintaining recreational opportunities; advancing land conservation; and managing restoration initiatives.
For more information about the program visit FloridaForever.org.
