TALLAHASSE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Cabinet announced an investment to protect nearly 28,000 acres of Florida’s natural lands Tuesday.

According to the governor's office, this action marks the first acquisition within the Caloosahatchee-Big Cypress Corridor, which includes Florida panther habitat and is an area that is important to the Everglades.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Cabinet have approved an investment protecting nearly 28,000 acres in Florida's Wildlife Corridor

  • Since 2019, the Florida Legislature has committed more that $1.25 billion to Florida Forever Program

  • According to DeSantis' office, the newly acquired land includes important Florida panther habitat

“Florida continues to lead the way in land conservation and protecting our natural resources,” DeSantis said in a statement. “These protections will further protect our natural lands for Florida’s families to enjoy for generations to come.”

DeSantis said his administration is looking to bring renewed attention to land conservation and the importance of protecting imperiled species, landscape connectivity, and coastal resources.

Since 2019, the Florida Legislature has committed more than $1.25 billion to the Florida Forever Program — the state's conservation and recreation lands acquisition program — including $100 million in recurring annual funding.

According to information from the Governor's Office, the consistent funding has enabled the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to acquire more than 220,000 acres for conservation, 90% of which are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

“I am grateful to the governor and Cabinet for their unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and public lands,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “Every new land acquisition furthers the protection of our natural resources and adds to Florida’s reputation as an ecotourism destination."

Along with the acquisition of 25,039 acres of land within the Caloosahatchee-Big Cypress Corridor, Tuesday's announcement also included 1,361 acres within the Yarborough Ranch project in Seminole County, and 1,342 acres within the Lake Hatchineha Watershed program in Polk County.