Florida protects 5,610 acres of Hendrie Ranch from future development
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Florida state officials approved a $12.9 million conservation easement to permanently protect 5,610 acres of the Hendrie Ranch in Highlands County.
The agreement, approved by the Governor and Cabinet on December 17, 2024, ensures that the property remains shielded from residential or commercial development. The state paid approximately $2,300 per acre to secure the land as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
This program allows the Hendrie family to maintain their active agricultural operations, including cattle grazing, hay production, and timber harvesting, while preventing the land from being subdivided. The ranch sits on the eastern slope of the southern Lake Wales Ridge and serves as a vital part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This network connects natural areas across the state to support diverse wildlife, including the Florida panther and the Florida scrub-jay.
State records show that nearly 48% of the protected area consists of wetlands, which provide habitat for various species such as the sandhill crane and the Florida black bear. The Hendrie family has managed the ranch for more than 65 years. This latest protection follows a previous 2022 agreement that secured a 663-acre portion of the same property.
By using conservation easements, the state aims to keep privately owned land economically productive while preserving the forests and native habitats that define the region.
