Gov. Ron DeSantis and his cabinet approved groundbreaking funding on March 5 for the permanent conservation of an extensive 19,486 acres spanning seven properties, including in Charlotte and Lee counties, within and adjacent to the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

State officials said the $84.9 million investment strengthens the Florida Wildlife Corridor by closing critical gaps while safeguarding the state’s wildlife, water resources and working lands.

The acquisition in Collier County of 2,577 acres within the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor DEP Project from Tamiami Citrus LLC helps to build connectivity between the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Big Cypress National Preserve to Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area.

The conservation easement of 3,722 acres in north-central Charlotte County is adjacent to the first Ryals Citrus and Cattle property acquired in 2023 and protects the Prairie Creek, a headwater of the Peace River.