Putnam Land Conservancy Assists in Conservation of 1,535 Acres in the O2O Wildlife Corridor
On Monday, September 8th the Putnam Land Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust, assisted in the state acquisition of 1,535 acres through the Florida Forever program. This acquisition fills a 1/2-mile gap between the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway and other conservation lands within the Ocala-to-Osceola (O2O) Wildlife Corridor.
This project protects the largest remaining stretch of unprotected land on the northern shore of the Rodman Impoundment and there are roughly 386 acres of functional wetlands throughout the property that provide significant aquifer recharge value for the Ocklawaha River. The property also contains the remains of a portion of the historic Ocala Northern Railroad, later named the Ocklawaha Valley Railroad, which was in operation from 1914-1922.
"We would like to thank the State of Florida for providing us with an opportunity to preserve our family land for future generations to enjoy in a way that we might not otherwise have been able to accomplish, and to leave it as unspoiled as it was a century ago when our great grandfather first acquired it.” said the landowners who were dedicated to conserving their family lands.
These conservation lands were acquired through the Florida Forever program, a part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida Forever is crucial to statewide conservation efforts, helping to protect critical water resources, wildlife habitat, and open space while creating opportunities for new parks and outdoor recreation. Without State land acquisition programs, we risk losing irreplaceable natural communities that both people and wildlife depend on!
“These are the kinds of conservation wins that ensure Florida’s natural legacy remains intact for generations to come,” said Willy the Losen, CEO & Conservation Director of the Putnam Land Conservancy. “We’re proud to support the landowner’s efforts to preserve their family lands, especially in partnership with such a key state conservation program.”
These lands are currently not open to the public but will be once the Florida Forest Service establishes a management plan and coordinates recreation planning as a tract of the Etoniah Creek State Forest.
About Putnam Land Conservancy
The Putnam Land Conservancy, Inc. (PLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving land and water for people and wildlife. PLC is focused on preserving wildlife corridors to protect at-risk species and their habitat, natural resources, and outdoor recreation in Putnam County and surrounding areas in northeast Florida. PLC has conserved over 6,500 acres since established in 2006.