The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has completed the purchase of 21,600 acres within the Waccasassa Watershed Florida Forever Project in Levy County. This acquisition expands Goethe State Forest and adds permanent protection to a key section of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
The newly acquired land connects existing conservation areas and will be open for public recreation such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The property 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 stated: “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 property adjoins Goethe State Forest at its southeastern corner. It borders Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area and the Upper Waccasassa Conservation Area. The land includes two tributaries of the Waccasassa River—Magee Branch and Otter Creek—and serves as an upland buffer that helps protect water quality for both the river and downstream estuaries.
The area also contains remnants from Florida’s historical turpentine industry. According to the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, rare rectangular turpentine pot fragments have been found on site with potential for more unrecorded sites.
Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved this acquisition during a previous meeting. Rayonier Inc., which sold the property to DEP, began restoration efforts in 2021 by replanting native species. DEP will manage the new addition together with the Florida Forest Service as part of Goethe State Forest.
Doug Long, executive vice president and chief resource officer at Rayonier Inc., commented: “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.”
For more information about the program involved in this acquisition, visit FloridaForever.org.
