STATE COMPLETES $26 MILLION INVESTMENT TO CONSERVE 16,200 ACRES IN 5 PROJECTS

Apalachicola River at Torreya State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is celebrating the state’s acquisition on March 6, 2025, of 16,200 acres of conservation lands within the Avalon, Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway, Longleaf Pine Ecosystem, Apalachicola River and Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Florida Forever projects. 

This $26 million investment expands the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a designated network of connected lands that creates critical linkages for wildlife habitat, by 13,080 acres.

“Each of these unique Florida Forever projects and land acquisitions safeguard native plant and animal species, conserve our water resources and protect our state’s natural heritage,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “I am thankful to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for giving us the tools to enable these types of successes.”