Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area

Florida’s landscapes are known for their diverse and stunning natural beauty. They’re a rich tapestry of ecosystems from stunning coastlines and beaches, vast prairies and forests to life-nourishing swampland – all connected by water – drinking water for millions of Floridians, water for healthy estuaries and robust fisheries, water for boating and recreation, water for wildlife and connectivity.

This new conservation area spans 12 counties and is over 4 million acres. Protecting this region buffers against the negative effects of climate change, protects critical wildlife corridors, and increases access to internationally treasured recreational activities of South Florida like bird watching and wildlife viewing, biking and hiking, sport fishing, paddling, and hunting in wilderness areas. The conservation area assures the preservation of the cultural, traditional, and medicinal traditions of the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes of Florida. And it will prioritize the conservation of working lands, recognizing their contribution and part in the solution for protecting the integrity of natural resources in rural communities.

With the Conservation Area established, it will take decades and many partnerships both public and private to realize the ambitious plan. Trust for Public Land is proud to have partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to establish this new conservation area with the protection of its first land. We’re hard at work to make it reality.