Conservation Florida this week announced the completion of securing a conservation easement over a 2,317-acre ranch on Lake Kissimmee east of Lake Wales.
The deal, which has been in the works for five years, involves a cooperative effort by Arnie and Lauren Bellini, the U.S. Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Agricultural Land Easement Program and Conservation Florida.
The ranch was acquired by the South Florida Water Management District in 2004 as part of the Kissimmee River restoration but was later surplussed and ended up in the hands of a private developer who proposed a golf resort.
It is adjacent to Polk County’s Coleman Landing park.
The ranch features four miles of lakefront, 200 species of plants and animals including protected species such as bald eagle and Florida scrub jay.
“This is a conservation victory for the people, wildlife, and waters of Florida,” said Traci Deen, CEO of Conservation Florida. “Eagle Haven Ranch is one of the most significant properties in the Northern Everglades I’ve encountered. Its permanent protection is a direct result of bold partnerships, visionary funding programs, and the power of the conservation community.”