The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has acquired a conservation easement on the 7,514-acre Kenansville Ranch in Osceola County. This move preserves a historic working cattle ranch and aims to protect important wildlife habitat. The ranch is part of the Ranch Reserve Florida Forever Project, a designated conservation priority.
Kenansville Ranch is home to about 1,600 cattle that graze across pastures, pine flatwoods, and wetlands. These wetlands are fed by Wolf Creek, Tenmile Creek, and Sixmile Creek. The new easement allows agricultural activity to continue but requires adherence to best management practices to protect water quality and the environment.
“Conservation easements preserve Florida’s landscapes while keeping working lands productive,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “By supporting agriculture, safeguarding water resources and protecting wildlife, projects like Kenansville Ranch strengthen Florida’s role in the nation’s food security and natural resource conservation.”
The ranch is located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and provides habitat for species such as the bald eagle, eastern indigo snake, Florida burrowing owl, red-cockaded woodpecker, and sandhill crane. The property connects with other protected areas like the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Wolf Creek Ranch and Escape Ranch conservation easements, helping to form a larger area for wildlife movement. The conservation easement was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet.
Florida leads in land protection efforts nationwide, serving as a model for other programs. Through the Florida Forever Program, the state works to conserve land for environmental, recreational, and preservation benefits. These include water resource protection, storm resilience, wildlife habitat preservation, and recreational opportunities. Since 2019, more than $1.4 billion has been allocated to the program, with $950 million directed to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This has resulted in DEP acquiring over 374,000 acres for conservation since 2019, with 91% located within the Wildlife Corridor.
Further details about the Florida Forever Program can be found at https://floridaforever.org.
