The Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) has protected 66 acres in Levy County, just north of Goethe State Forest and within the Waccasassa River watershed, through a conservation easement made possible by ACT’s Forest to Gulf Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, according to an ACT press release.
The Ware property is part of a larger conservation corridor that provides passageways and habitat for wildlife while strengthening connections between protected areas throughout Levy County. Protecting the property helps preserve natural areas, prevent more intensive land use and maintain habitat for native plants and wildlife.
The property’s history is closely tied to the region. Historically sandhill, the land was once used for timber production. A raised ridge running north to south near the road is believed to be the former bed of a small-gauge railroad used to transport timber and lumber through the area. Nearby Sawmill Pond also reflects the role timber played in the region’s history.
The landowners purchased the property in 2005 and added a small well and barn before establishing their homestead near the center of the property. Much of the surrounding natural area remained intact.
Over time, the landowners’ stewardship has allowed native vegetation to return. Higher elevations contain native plants including sandhill milkweed, gopher apple, prickly pear and lady lupine. Gopher tortoise burrows are scattered throughout the property, with tortoises regularly seen moving through and foraging among the native vegetation.
To the south, mature southern live oaks and cabbage palms grow alongside scattered slash and longleaf pines, Florida rosemary and wiregrass, creating a diverse patchwork of wildlife habitat.
Florida sandhill cranes, Southeastern fox squirrels, Southern flying squirrels, white-tailed deer and bobwhite quail are among the species observed on the property.
“We appreciate the unique experience of living in the middle of a natural habitat,” the Ware family said in the release. “We also like knowing the land will never be developed. The wildlife appreciates the protection, and we appreciate ACT for its dedicated staff who made this easement possible.”
The landowners plan to incorporate agroecological farming practices that combine agriculture and conservation. The approach will encourage native plant diversity, provide wildlife habitat and work with the natural characteristics of the land while allowing the property to remain a productive working landscape.
“The Ware property is a place where nature, history and stewardship come together,” said ACT Executive Director Tom Kay in the release. “Protecting this land ensures that the connections between people, wildlife and place can continue for generations to come. We are thankful to the Ware Family for their careful stewardship of this land and to the USDA NRCS and numerous grant partners who supported this project.”
In addition to funding from USDA for the easement purchase, ACT received support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coastal Program and the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation’s Project Assistance Fund, with additional support from the Florida Wildlife Federation. The landowners also contributed a portion of the easement value as a tax-deductible donation to ACT.
The property is one of several in Levy County that have received USDA funding to support conservation easements. The Regional Conservation Partnership Program, along with the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easements, provides financial support for up to 50% of the easement value to local landowners who want to keep their land rural and undeveloped.
The programs also support low-impact agricultural practices that restore and enhance natural habitat. As a lead partner, ACT works with local partners to identify key areas for conservation and helps landowners navigate the programs. ACT, an accredited land trust, will hold the easement and ensure its terms are upheld.
“Working with the staff of ACT to fulfill our goals for this land has been an amazing and pleasurable experience,” the Ware family said. “What a wonderful feeling to be kept in ‘the know and the now’ every step of the way. We certainly felt heard, understood and valued throughout the entire process.”
ACT is accepting landowner inquiries for conservation easements and land-management assistance through its Forest to Gulf and Surface to Spring Regional Conservation Partnership Programs.