Jordan Ranch

Withlacoochee State Forest is currently the third-largest State Forest in Florida and known as a recreational destination for those that love to hike, fish, and canoe. With our partners at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), we helped expand this State Forest by 191-acres known as Jordan Ranch.

Now protected, more Floridians can enjoy all that this landscape has to offer: a serene canoe ride along the Withlacoochee River, a hike through the area’s beautiful forests, or a glimpse of beloved birds like the bald eagle. Jordan Ranch’s incredible wetlands also help complete the Two Mile Prairie marsh system, which provides significant flood control for the surrounding residential neighborhoods and recharges the aquifer.

Our work ensures these wetland ecosystems are not only preserved for wildlife like the threatened Gopher tortoise, but also for people to get outside and enjoy the state’s iconic landscape. As Florida continues to grow and develop, we need to protect the natural spaces that make this state so special.