Volusia County Council Approves Purchase of 1,299-Acre River Bend Ranch Property Through Volusia Forever

Posted On: May 6, 2026

The Volusia County Council voted unanimously on May 5 to approve the purchase of River Bend Ranch, a 1,299-acre property in southern Volusia County, for $20.1 million through the County's Volusia Forever land conservation program.

Located at 1411 Osteen Maytown Road in Osteen, the property is directly adjacent to the County-owned Deering Preserve at Deep Creek. The acquisition creates a contiguous block of nearly 2,684 acres of publicly managed conservation land, closing the southern end of the Volusia Conservation Corridor and permanently protecting nearly two miles of undeveloped St. Johns River frontage.

The property is entirely within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and contains upland pine habitat, cypress swamp, freshwater marsh, wet prairie, and cabbage palm hammock. Wildlife that can be seen on the property includes white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, Florida sandhill crane, black bear, and a variety of wading birds and raptors.

The property's adjacency to Deering Preserve at Deep Creek creates opportunities to expand public access for hiking, wildlife viewing, paddling, and fishing. River Bend Ranch will be managed as conservation land under the County's existing Land Management program.

The negotiated purchase price is 14.6% below the listing price. Funding will come from the Volusia Forever Land Acquisition Fund.

"Our community renewed Volusia Forever in 2020 because they believed in our ability to deliver results," said Community Services Director Brad Burbaugh. "The County Council's leadership and unanimous vote continues that legacy and honors the trust residents have placed in us."

Volusia Forever is the County's voter-approved conservation program dedicated to preserving environmentally sensitive lands, protecting water resources, and providing passive recreation opportunities. Through the Endangered Lands Program and Volusia Forever, Volusia County has helped protect over 60,000 acres through partnerships with state and federal agencies since 1986. Voters renewed the Volusia Forever program for another 20 years during the November 2020 election. Learn more about Volusia Forever at https://www.volusia.org/forever.