The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has acquired 21,600 acres within the Waccasassa Watershed Florida Forever Project in Levy County. This addition expands Goethe State Forest and ensures permanent protection for a section of land within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
The newly acquired property links existing conservation areas and offers new recreational options for the public, such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The site is home to species including nesting bald eagles, gopher tortoises, and swallow-tailed kites.
“This acquisition is a major step in protecting Florida’s natural landscapes at scale,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “By connecting this 21,600-acre property to Goethe State Forest and neighboring conservation lands, we are filling critical gaps in the Florida Wildlife Corridor and creating continuous habitat for wildlife to thrive.”
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson commented on the long-term commitment to conservation: “As Senate President, I worked to ensure Florida made a lasting commitment to protecting and connecting our natural lands through the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and I’m proud to see continued progress in protecting these critical lands. This expansion of Goethe State Forest shows how responsible land management and conservation can work hand in hand to preserve wildlife habitat, protect water quality, and ensure that Florida’s natural resources remain productive and accessible for future generations.”
Located in central Levy County, the land adjoins Goethe State Forest at its southeastern corner. It also borders Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area and the Upper Waccasassa Conservation Area. The area includes two tributaries of the Waccasassa River—Magee Branch and Otter Creek—and provides an upland buffer that helps maintain water quality for both the river and downstream estuaries like those found in the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve.
The acquisition also safeguards historical features from Florida’s turpentine industry. According to findings by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, rare turpentine pot fragments have been discovered on-site, with potential for more unrecorded sites.
Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved this purchase during a previous meeting. The property was bought from Rayonier Inc., which began restoration activities in 2021 by replanting native vegetation. DEP will work with the Florida Forest Service to manage these lands as part of Goethe State Forest.
Doug Long, executive vice president and chief resource officer at Rayonier Inc., stated: “Our sustainable forest management practices not only cultivate healthy, productive forests but also enable us to transfer that environmental stewardship to other entities when a property is identified for its unique public conservation value. This helps achieve vital long-term conservation goals in meeting the needs of society.”
More information about the program can be found at https://floridaforever.org/.
