Florida approved permanent protection for 1,034 acres of Limestone Creek Ranch, a 70-year cattle operation once owned by a governor; the $6.52 million easement keeps the land working inside the Wildlife Corridor/Image: Carlton Ward Jr./Wildpath
Florida approved a $6.52 million conservation easement last month to protect Limestone Creek Ranch in Hardee County from future development.The 1,034-acre property, which was formerly owned by Governor Doyle E.
Carlton, has supported cattle ranching for more than 70 years. The agreement was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on September 29, 2026, as part of a wider round of conservation measures across the state.The ranch supports an average of 300 head of cattle and includes grazing pasture, native woodland and wetlands. Limestone Creek runs through the property before draining east into the Peace River.
Easement protects ranch and wildlife habitat
The conservation agreement prevents future development while allowing cattle operations to continue. The property contains a mix of uplands and wetlands that form part of a wider network of habitats in the region.Limestone Creek Ranch is also enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Best Management Practices programme, which promotes agricultural practices designed to protect natural resources.
The approval forms part of a wider round of land conservation measures announced by the state on September 29. DeSantis and the Cabinet approved measures covering more than 10,770 acres across Florida, including over 2,700 acres within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor, with an investment exceeding $72.6 million.“Florida continues to make historic investments to protect the lands and waters that make our state unique,” DeSantis said.
“These acquisitions will strengthen the Florida Wildlife Corridor and preserve working lands.”
Florida expands conservation programme
The Limestone Creek Ranch easement was among more than 4,500 acres of working agricultural land approved for permanent protection through the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.The programme allows farmers and ranchers to retain ownership and continue production while restricting development through conservation easements.Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said the scheme helps keep productive farmland in private hands while safeguarding the land needed for future food production.“RFLPP is a proven, cost-effective way to keep productive farmland in private hands and ensure it remains available to grow the food Floridians depend on for generations to come,” Simpson said.Since 2019, Florida has invested more than $1.5 billion in land conservation through its Florida Forever programme, according to the state. The funding has enabled the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to acquire more than 500,000 acres for conservation, 92% of which are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.