- October 5, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved spending more than $77 million to prevent the development of nearly 11,000 acres of rural lands.
The nine projects will use Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands Protection Program funds to establish conservation easements in Putnam, Hendry, Lake, Martin, Hardee and Columbia counties.
The easements allow landowners to maintain the existing uses on the property, mostly agricultural, in exchange for keeping the land from residential or commercial development.
The two projects using Florida Forever funding are the 2,708 acres of the CA & KC Properties in Putnam County, $5.4 million, and 3,567 acres of the Crow’s Nest Farm in Hendry County, valued at $13.39 million.
“These acquisitions will provide vital linkage for wildlife,” Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert told the Cabinet.
The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is going to seven properties.
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson described the use of easements as “the most effective and cost-efficient way to preserve our natural lands while also supporting our farmers and ranchers.”
Here’s a breakdown of those projects:
