Florida Forever Secures Bar-B Ranch Conservation Easement Safeguarding Working Lands While Advancing Everglades Restoration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2026

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, [email protected]

Florida Forever Secures Bar-B Ranch Conservation Easement Safeguarding Working Lands While Advancing Everglades Restoration

Bar-B Ranch Florida Forever Project | Lauren Yoho/Wildpath

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has secured a 1,668-acre conservation easement over Bar-B Ranch in Martin County through the Florida Forever Program, protecting a working cattle ranch that improves water quality and supports Everglades restoration while remaining in agricultural production.

Located near the C-44 Stormwater Treatment Area and Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area, Bar-B Ranch has been operated as a ranch for decades and currently supports approximately 250 head of cattle. The conservation easement ensures the land will remain a working ranch while permanently preventing future development.

The property was identified for acquisition as a key part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, where protecting strategic lands helps restore natural water storage and improve water quality flowing south through the Everglades system.

"Conservation easements through Florida Forever keep working lands in agriculture while protecting the natural functions that support our environment," said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. "At Bar-B Ranch, protecting a working ranch also protects critical water flows, wetland functions and wildlife corridors, showing how agricultural lands and Everglades restoration can support each other."

Bar-B Ranch helps store and filter water before it reaches downstream ecosystems, including the St. Lucie River Estuary, the Indian River Lagoon, Lake Okeechobee and ultimately the Greater Everglades. Protecting this land ensures its natural ability to store and cleanse water remains intact while preventing development that could threaten these vital ecological functions.

The property also lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, helping maintain important habitat connectivity across the region.

This acquisition was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet during a previous Cabinet meeting.

Florida is at the forefront of the nation's land protection efforts and continues to serve as a model for other conservation programs across the country. Through the Florida Forever Program, the state conserves land that provides environmental, recreational and preservation benefits, including water quality and quantity safeguards; resilience from storm impacts; habitat and species protections; national security and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Since 2019, the state has committed more than $1.5 billion to the Florida Forever Program. This funding has enabled DEP to acquire over 500,000 acres for conservation, 55% of which are conservation easements.

For more information about the Florida Forever Program, visit FloridaForever.org.

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