DeSantis, Cabinet approve $40 million Florida conservation easements

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Wednesday approved paying more than $40 million to limit future development on four ranches totaling more than 12,100 acres in DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands and Okeechobee counties.

The state will buy conservation easements, which allow agricultural uses to continue in exchange for restrictions on future residential and commercial construction.

The largest deal involves the state spending $16.587 million for a conservation easement on 5,700 acres in DeSoto County owned by Deer Creek Ranch, LLC and Deer Creek Family Ranch, LLC. The cattle ranch is within the Peace River watershed and is about 10 miles southeast of Arcadia.

The next-largest deal involves spending $9.849 million for an easement on 2,650 acres owned by Quail Creek Farms, Inc. in Hardee County. The ranch is between the Myakka River and Peace River watersheds.

Another $7.938 million is planned to go to 1,977 acres owned by Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch, LLC in Highlands County. Located about seven miles southwest of Sebring, the land is expected to complete a portion of a statewide wildlife corridor from Avon Park to Lake Okeechobee.
[content-1] The Okeechobee County property is 1,801 acres, with the state planning to pay $6.475 million to Clemons Oak Creek, LLC. The federal government is expected to cover $2.8 million of that cost, as the property would provide a buffer to the Avon Park Air Force Range.

In a news release, Julie Morris, executive director of the organization Florida Conservation Group, praised the DeSoto County and Hardee County purchases, saying the region is vital to “Florida’s conservation and water resource protection goals.”

Money for the deals in DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties will come through the Florida Forever conservation program. The Okeechobee County deal will be covered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.