Florida’s Land Conservation Programs

State Land Conservation

Funding our state land conservation programs – Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) – is crucial to the future of Florida and a sound economic decision. Investing in these programs is the most cost-effective way to protect our water and natural resources.

Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP)

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program under Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. RFLPP’s primary mission is the protection of agricultural lands.

Florida Forever

Florida’s conservation lands program under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FF Program does BOTH fee-simple and conservation easements). The primary goals of Florida Forever conservation easements are to protect high priority natural resource areas and ensure our water resources are protected.

Critical Conservation

RFLPP and Florida Forever are critical to the health of Florida’s landscape. Both programs protect water quality and supply for urban areas, maintain our agricultural economy and protect Florida’s tourist economy and military base buffers. Both programs partner with other local, state and federal programs to leverage resources and maximize protection benefits. Funding these conservation easement programs is an investment in Florida’s future and is critical to our quality of life.

Key Facts

  • We are losing natural/agricultural land at a rate of 60,000 acres a year
  • Private lands protect Florida’s water and natural resources
  • These programs are the most cost-effective way to preserve our water resources
  • We can invest a little now or a LOT later to restore our watersheds
  • Private lands protect drinking water supply and water quality/quantity to our urban areas
  • Private lands critical to aquifer recharge
  • Protection of water resources for a fraction of the cost of outright purchase
  • RFLPP protects our food security and agricultural economy; Florida Forever protects our critical water resources
  • Land stays on tax roles/private ownership
  • Management costs remain the responsibility of the landowner

Properties marked in red on this map are eligible for permanent protection under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). There are over 370,000 acres on the list that can be protected under the RFLPP program. Properties marked in blue are eligible for permanent protection under the Florida Forever Program. These properties represent over 2000 million acres that are eligible for protection. Together these programs protect Florida’s water, wildlife and agriculture.