Earlier this week Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, serving as the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund, approved the purchase of conservation easements on ranches in Hardee and Highlands counties.
The Square One Ranch in Highlands County covers 1,500 acres. It is a cattle ranch. Among the species reportedly present on the site are Eastern Indigo Snake, Florida Scrub Jay, Crested Caracara and Gopher Tortoise.
The 1,300-acrte Buckhorn Ranch lies in the Charlie Creek Basin in Hardee County. Charlie Creek is a tributary of the Peace River. This is the latest in a series of acquisitions in the basin
Protection of both parcels will prevent conversion to urban and suburban sprawl as development pressures increase in the area.
Wilton Simpson, Florida secretary of agriculture and consumer services, was quoted in a press release as saying the ranches are worth $11.4 million.
Funding comes from the Rural and Family Lands Program, which is intended to provide easements on working lands and in recent years has received the bulk of state land conservation funding while the Florida Forever program, which purchases higher quality environmental lands outright, has received minimal funding.
That comes despite the approval of constitutional amendment to increase funding for the Florida Forever program.
Implementation of that voter mandate has been repeatedly stymied by state officials.

The freezing weather is over, the sun is shining and the outdoors await.
There are two great events this weekend.
The biggest one is the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is a major mid-winter bird survey that occurs Feb. 13-16 and has become a global event.
Survey birds in your backyard or anywhere else and enter the data in ebird.
If you do not have an account, set up one. It’s free.
The site allows you to post photos, too.
Meanwhile, during the same weekend, Florida state parks are offering free admission in honor of George Washington’s birthday.
Find your park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org. To learn more about Florida’s role in America’s 250th anniversary, visit America250FL.com.

Florida Scrub Lizards are part of site’s diverse flora and fauna

Creek Ranch, which was once proposed for development and purchased by the state in 2024, is now open to the public.
The 1,342-acre site on Hatchineha Road is called Creek Ranch Public Small Game Hunting Area.
The opening follows a public meeting on the property’s management plan, which was held last March.
Except for a couple of weekends in January and February when family hunts are scheduled, the site is open daily for day-use.
Visitors can access the property on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.
The property contains a mosaic of habitats including scrubby flatwoods, oak hammocks , wetlands and improved pasture.
The site lies within a statewide wildlife corridor and its preservation as a public conservation area complements early state, federal and private acquisitions in the area,
Nearby conservation areas include the Hatchineha Unit of the Everglades Headwaters Wildlife Management Area, Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek State Park, Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area and Hatchineha Ranch.