By Traci Deen, Conservation Florida
As Florida’s 2026 legislative session begins, our state stands at another pivotal moment for conservation. The decisions made in Tallahassee over the coming weeks will shape the future of our rural landscapes, our food security and the very character of the Sunshine State. At the heart of this conversation is the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, a proven, effective and urgently needed initiative that deserves not just continued, but expanded, support.
Over the past several years, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has emerged as one of Florida’s most successful conservation programs in our history. Since its inception in 2001, the program has preserved over 225,000 acres of working agricultural land. This is not just land on a map; these are family farms and ranches, open pastures and wild green spaces that define Florida’s heritage and support our economy. Under the leadership of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the program has accelerated its pace, with more than 158,000 acres conserved during his tenure alone.
These achievements are impressive, but they only scratch the surface of what’s possible and, in my opinion, what’s needed. The demand from Florida’s landowners is overwhelming. In the most recent application cycle, an additional 223 landowners submitted proposals. The current ranked acquisition list includes a whopping 428 projects, and we estimate that the total demand from willing landowners could exceed $2 billion in necessary funding. These are not theoretical numbers; they represent a real, immediate opportunity to protect the lands that feed us, feed America, sustain our rural communities and keep Florida wild.
The program conserves land that Florida’s wildlife relies on. Every acre protected through this program is an acre that helps keep Florida wild, providing vital habitat for countless imperiled species, maintaining biodiversity, and safeguarding the natural systems that make our state unique. These lands filter and hold our water, support healthy ecosystems, and provide the scenic beauty we all enjoy. Moreover, the bulk of what remains to protect our statewide wildlife corridor is agricultural land. As our population continues to grow, conserving these working lands provides a critical buffer and connects the corridor, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of our environment or our way of life.
But the benefits go far beyond environmental protection. The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program also keeps our farmers farming and our ranchers ranching. By providing financial incentives through conservation easements, the program allows families to continue working their land without the pressure to sell. This means more food and fiber grown right here in Florida, supporting local economies and making our food supply safer and more resilient. In a world where supply chains are increasingly fragile, keeping production close to home is not just smart policy; it’s essential.
Florida is losing farmland at an alarming rate, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. The program is our best defense against this loss, but only if we match the program’s ambition with the funding it deserves. The recent allocation, $250 million for fiscal year 2025-2026, is a testament to the program’s success and the bipartisan recognition of its value. Yet, with over $2 billion in demand, we must do more.
Timing is of the essence. The pace of development is unrelenting, and the window to protect these lands is closing fast. We must act now, with urgency and resolve, to ensure that future generations inherit a Florida that is as green, productive and beautiful as the one we know today.
None of this would be possible without Simpson’s leadership. His unwavering commitment to the program has secured over $700 million in state funding since 2022 and has inspired a new generation of landowners to participate in conservation. Commissioner Simpson’s vision, supported by a growing caucus of legislative champions, has made Florida a national leader in agricultural land protection.
Conservation Florida will remain a staunch partner to our state’s conservation programs and a tireless advocate for the funding that makes them possible, working collaboratively to achieve lasting protection for Florida’s natural and agricultural lands. As a trusted leader in conservation, Conservation Florida works hand in hand with landowners, government agencies and local communities to identify and secure high-priority lands for protection.
Our organization is dedicated to ensuring that programs like the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever receive the robust, sustained support they need to succeed. By championing these efforts, we help safeguard Florida’s natural resources, support our agricultural heritage and guarantee that future generations will enjoy the green spaces and wild places that make our state unique, together.
As the 2026 legislative session begins, I urge lawmakers and citizens alike to support funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Let’s meet the demand from our landowners, keep our farmers and ranchers on their land, and preserve the green, wild landscapes that help define our state. The future of Florida’s rural heritage, our food security and our environment depends on the choices we make today.
Let’s keep Florida green and growing — for nature, for ourselves, for our children and for generations of us to come.
Traci Deen is the CEO of Conservation Florida. This opinion piece was originally published by the Tampa Bay Times, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner photo: Cattle grazing on a ranch in Florida (iStock image).
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