The North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) has made a historic acquisition, taking custody of a 1,109-acre property in Bradford County. This addition to the NFLT portfolio is part of the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor (O2O Corridor), a significant swath of land in Northeast Florida dedicated to conservation efforts. The NFLT, founded in 1999, has stated that this latest acquisition is the largest single addition in its history.
Strategic Acquisition
The recently acquired land is situated west of the Camp Blanding Training Center, a site often used for U.S. military exercises. Its location, about a mile south of the New River Conservation Area, adds further strategic value to this acquisition. The property was bought from Rayonier Forest Resources, a company with a history of timber production on the land. The NFLT purchased the property for a whopping $7.301 billion, with the U.S. Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration and the U.S. Army Compatible Use Buffer programs providing the majority of the acquisition funding.
Additional Funding
Additional funds for the purchase were provided by the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds and the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. The Delores Barr Weaver Fund, named after the wife of Jacksonville Jaguars founder, Wayne Weaver, was established last year to support conservation land purchases over the coming decade.
Conservation Efforts
“What a great accomplishment … that this large piece of Florida will remain natural forever,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “There will be no bulldozers, no houses, just the plants and animals that call it home.” The land acquired in this deal is a mix of environmental habitats, including pine plantations, wetlands, and other ecologically sensitive lands. The conservation of this land will provide critical habitats for a diverse range of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and gopher tortoise.
This acquisition is a testament to the NFLT’s ongoing commitment to land conservation. Established 25 years ago, the organization has helped secure over 42,000 acres of land in seven counties along the First Coast.
With the acquisition of this property, the NFLT continues to make strides in preserving and protecting Florida’s natural habitats. The organization’s steadfast dedication to conservation is a beacon of hope for environmentalists and nature lovers alike, ensuring that the pristine beauty of Florida’s landscapes will be preserved for generations to come.
