Florida Department of Environmental Protection unveiled the largest easement in Florida Forever’s 25‑year history, covering 61,525 acres across Baker and Union counties, February 2026—creating the longest continuous wildlife corridor in the state.
The easement protects critical habitats for the bald eagle, red‑cockaded woodpecker, and eastern indigo snake, and preserves a mosaic of forested wetlands, floodplain forests, basin swamps, and headwaters that span three major river basins.
"Florida Forever was created to protect landscapes like this one," said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. The land will remain under active forest management, balancing timber production with conservation.
Weyerhaeuser’s Director of Conservation Alex Littlejohn praised the agreement: "This easement lets us maintain wildlife habitat at a massive scale while continuing to support the local forest economy."
Governor Ron DeSantis has earmarked $115 million for Florida Forever in the FY 2026‑27 budget, marking the program’s 25th anniversary and underscoring the state’s commitment to safeguarding Florida’s natural resources for future generations.