FDEP announces new ‘Sandy Creek State Forest’ in Bay County

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has acquired over 12,000 acres in Bay County that will become Sandy Creek State Forest.

According to the news release, this milestone acquisition expands the Florida Wildlife Corridor and adds a new site for public recreation in Northwest Florida. DEP officials say it protects a key portion of the St. Andrew Bay Watershed. Adding that the land will help safeguard water quality and reduce flooding in surrounding communities.

Once opened, Sandy Creek State Forest will offer hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor education.

“When opened, Sandy Creek State Forest will provide new outdoor recreation opportunities for families, sportsmen, and nature lovers in Northwest Florida,” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said. “Through the Florida Forest Service’s stewardship of over 1 million acres of state forest land, we’re expanding access to the outdoors while protecting our natural spaces for future generations to enjoy,” added Simpson.

The land supports a variety of habitats, including longleaf pine forests, wetlands and floodplains. The land is home to wildlife such as the gopher tortoise, the Florida black bear, and other potentially threatened and endangered species like the reticulated flatwoods salamander and dark-headed hatpins flower.

“With the creation of Sandy Creek State Forest, we’re not only preserving vital ecosystems and expanding wildlife habitat but also connecting conservation lands from Eglin Air Force Base to Apalachicola National Forest,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert.” This new state forest will offer meaningful public access while protecting the natural resources that make our state so special.”

The Florida Cabinet approved the acquisition during a previous Cabinet Meeting at 97% of its appraised value.

The property will be managed by the Florida Forest Service. It was acquired through the Florida Forever Program as part of the Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project.

Through the Florida Forever Program, the state conserves land that provides environmental, recreational, and preservation benefits, including water quality and quantity safeguards.

As well as resilience from storm impacts, habitat and species protections and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Since 2019, the state has committed more than $1.4 billion to the Florida Forever Program, including $950 million specifically for the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This funding has since enabled the DEP to acquire over 374,000 acres for conservation, 91% of which is within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

“The Florida Forest Service is eager to add Sandy Creek State Forest to its conservation efforts alongside our stewardship of 38 other state forests,” Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan said.

“Florida currently has over 1 million acres of state forest land, protecting some of the state’s most valuable natural resources,” added Dolan.

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