TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approved the full-fee acquisition of approximately 340 acres of conservation land in Hernando County from Cabot Citrus OpCo, LLC. The property, part of the Annutteliga Hammock Florida Forever project, will be managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service as part of the Withlacoochee State Forest.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, who voted in support of the purchase as a member of the Florida Cabinet, praised the move as a strong example of how the state’s conservation process is meant to function:
“I was proud to vote in favor of this important land acquisition, which protects valuable natural resources, strengthens public land management, and reinforces the importance of process and partnership in Florida’s conservation work.
“When this property was first discussed in a different context, there were a lot of questions – as there should be. The process worked exactly the way it should. We paused, looked at alternatives, and ultimately arrived at a better path – one that serves the long-term interests of Florida and its people.
“This full-fee acquisition strengthens the Withlacoochee State Forest, protects habitat and water resources, and adds important acreage to one of the state’s top-ranked Florida Forever projects. I’m especially proud of how this came together through diligence and collaboration.
“I want to thank Cabot Citrus for their partnership and good-faith engagement throughout this process. Their willingness to shift focus and prioritize conservation led to the outcome we reached today. This is how conservation should work in Florida – measured, informed, and rooted in the public interest.”
Project Background
The newly approved acquisition consists of approximately 340 acres in Hernando County, directly adjacent to the Withlacoochee State Forest. The land falls within the Annutteliga Hammock Florida Forever project area, a top-tier conservation priority for the state. This acquisition will help expand protected public lands, enhance wildlife corridors, and safeguard important water and habitat resources in the region.
The site features a mix of mesic flatwoods, bottomland forests, and freshwater wetlands, supporting a wide range of native species – including gopher tortoises, Florida black bears, Sherman’s fox squirrels, and sandhill cranes. The land also plays a vital role in aquifer recharge and protects sensitive natural features such as karst terrain and underground cave systems linked to Florida’s Springs Coast.
Once finalized, the property will be managed by the Florida Forest Service and incorporated into the Withlacoochee State Forest, where it will support long-term conservation, sustainable forestry, and public recreational access.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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