For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com, 850.413.2842

CFO Jimmy Patronis Approves Florida Panhandle Land Conservation Initiatives

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, during a meeting of the Governor and Florida Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis approved significant state investments to enhance land conservation efforts in the Florida Panhandle. These strategic land purchases, totaling over 20,000 acres, underscore the state’s commitment to preserving the region's natural beauty while supporting local communities and economies.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Florida’s natural resources are vital to our way of life and are a cornerstone of our economy. Investing in land conservation protects our environment and ensures that our children and grandchildren can enjoy Florida’s natural resources for generations to come. The recent investments in Santa Rosa, Walton, and Bay counties will support projects that restore habitats, protect water quality, and promote the preservation of our state’s beautiful natural resources through our newest state park. Effective conservation requires teamwork and commitment from all stakeholders, including state, local, and environmental organizations. Thank you to Governor DeSantis, Secretary Lambert, and the entire team at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their hard work on these land projects and protecting our state's vital natural resources."

Florida Panhandle Land Conservation Initiatives:

Purchase of 5,910 acres from Shades Mountain TimberCo FL, LLC in Santa Rosa County

The property abuts the Escambia River. Conserving the property will protect valuable water resources by restricting development. An additional buffer to the Escambia River will protect many imperiled species living there. The project lies within a wildlife corridor of the Florida Ecological Greenways Network and the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape.

Purchase of 2,483 acres from The Trust for Public Land in Walton County

The property is located roughly one mile north of Eglin Air Force Base, within the Upper Shoal River watershed. It lies within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape. The property would be Florida’s newest state park, providing opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, and other low-intensity land uses compatible with the adjacent Air Force base. Preservation will support aquifer recharge and help maintain local water bodies' quality and natural functions. The Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks will manage the property.

Purchase of 12,243 acres from Bear Creek Timber, LLC in Bay County

The property has been managed for silviculture production, and currently, most of it consists of planted pines between two and five years old. It is situated within the St. Andrews Bay Watershed, about six miles north of Tyndall Air Force Base, and runs along the Calhoun and Gulf County lines. It lies within a wildlife corridor of the Florida Ecological Greenways Network and the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service will manage the property as Bear Creek Forest. 

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