A federal grant awarded this week could significantly bolster efforts to preserve land in the Peace River Valley, Florida, an area crucial for supplying drinking water to several counties in Central Florida, including Polk, Hardee, DeSoto, and Charlotte.

The grant, totaling $21 million, will be matched by state Department of Agriculture funds and an additional $5 million from the Division of State Lands, potentially amassing about $47 million to prevent these lands from falling prey to development.

Jim Strickland, a sixth-generation cattle rancher in Manatee County and vice president of the Florida Conservation Group—a consortium of scientists, ranchers, and conservationists—emphasized the importance of preserving this region. “Peace River supplies drinking water for about 1 million people. Given the lack of conservation lands in central Florida and the significance of the Peace River Valley, this void absolutely needs to be filled,” Strickland told WUSF.

Strickland noted that recent hurricanes Milton and Helene have exacerbated the situation, with many losing their orange groves and crops. “It’s a desire to save land, but also a financial need to recover,” he said.

Much of the targeted land has been altered by phosphate mining and includes citrus groves and cattle ranches. Conservation easements will be used to allow the land’s continued use while prohibiting development.

Strickland underscored the broader implications of this effort, stating, “It’s crucial not just for the ranching industry but also for conservation and political spheres, as the middle state’s actions affect both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.” He believes the $21 million will be quickly and well-spent, given the interest in conservation easements.

The matching grants will come from the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Commissioner Wilton Simpson highlighted the program’s mission to preserve Florida’s natural resources and safeguard its food supply through collaboration among state, federal, and private partners.

Incoming Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, a fourth-generation farmer from Wauchula in Hardee County, praised the commitment of the Florida Conservation Group. “Their dedication exemplifies our state’s commitment to preserving vital agricultural lands and natural resources,” Albritton said.

The Peace River begins at the convergence of Saddle Creek and the Peace Creek Drainage Canal in northern Polk County, flowing through Hardee, DeSoto, and parts of Polk and Charlotte Counties before reaching Charlotte Harbor. To date, the Florida Conservation Group has protected over 37,000 acres in the Peace River Valley.

Julie Morris, the Group’s executive director, expressed concern over the growing population’s impact on the region’s open lands. “Ranches are being replaced by rooftops faster than they can be protected. Support from programs like those offered by FDACS, DEP, and NRCS, along with state leadership, is critical to our conservation goals,” Morris said.

This grant represents a vital step toward safeguarding the Peace River Valley’s natural landscapes for future generations.

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(Image credit: Florida State Parks)