Governor and Cabinet Approve Funding for Conservation Florida's Role Tran and Gissy Rainbow River Ranch Projects

The vast prairies of Role Tran (formerly known as Triple Diamond). Photos by Carlton Ward Jr/Wildpath.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation Florida move forward the conservation of two properties advancing the Florida Wildlife Corridor's protection.

Tallahassee, FL (January 17, 2023) - Conservation Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of State Lands have been working to permanently conserve the 2,529-acre Role Tran (previously known as Triple Diamond) in Okeechobee County and the 135-acre Gissy Rainbow River Ranch in Marion County. Today’s Cabinet meeting marked a pivotal moment as Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet approved their funding.

Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet in its role as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, funding will be allocated from the State's Florida Forever program to complete the purchase of these two easements totaling 2,664 acres.

Partnerships are critical in making this type of boots-on-the-ground conservation happen. "We thank the Governor, the Cabinet, and the Department of Environmental Protection for continuing to support critical land acquisitions to protect our natural and agricultural landscapes,” said Traci Deen, President and CEO of Conservation Florida. "The conservation of land to create a conserved wildlife corridor spanning our state is not only necessary for wildlife such as the Florida panther, black bear, and gopher tortoise, but also for protecting our water, economy, and way of life. With today’s approval of our Role Tran and Gissy Rainbow River Ranch projects, both properties are on their way to being protected for generations to come and we move the needle forward on the protection of a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor." 

“We want to thank Governor DeSantis and the Cabinet for supporting state land conservation goals through these important acquisitions,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “Investing in these properties helps increase the protection of Florida’s unique natural landscapes and wildlife habitats.”

The location made this special 2,529-acre Role Tran property a priority for Conservation Florida. Located in Okeechobee County in the Northern Everglades, the property is directly adjacent to the vast Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park and adds a linkage in building a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor. Role Tran, along with existing conservation lands, would contribute to a large, contiguous landscape-sized protection area of more than 200,000 acres.

Conserving this property would preserve significant dry prairie, important in the long-term protection of this native natural community and the rare species that it supports. Additionally, preserving this intact landscape would allow for the protection and management of thousands of acres of additional high-quality habitats in an area of Florida known for its rare vertebrate wildlife, globally imperiled natural communities, and significant hydrological values.

Connectivity is this property's strength. The property shares the majority of its northern boundary with Kissimmee Bend State Forest, eastern boundary with Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, western boundary with a federal Wetlands Reserve Easement, and a portion of its southern boundary with Corona Ranch Agricultural and Conservation Easement. The property is also situated within the Kissimmee River Basin and the headwaters of Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades.

More, Role Tran is a working ranch with 70 head of cattle. The ranch is another strong example of an agricultural property’s ability to build a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor and many conservation goals while also supporting agricultural production and the rural economy. In addition to its adjacency to conservation lands, its location near the Avon Park Air Force Range made it a priority for the Department of Defense's (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program.

"Conservation Florida has been a pleasure to work with on the protection of Role Tran," said Role Tran landowner, Lee Lightsey. "I am grateful for the Department of Environmental Protection's support and guidance through this process, and can rest assured knowing our family's ranch will be conserved and appreciated for generations to come."

The Gissy Rainbow River Ranch conservation easement will protect nearly a mile of cypress-lined shoreline. Photos by Carlton Ward Jr/Wildpath.

Gissy Rainbow River Ranch, boasting 4,200 linear feet of shoreline along the Rainbow River will protect most of the last undeveloped or minimally developed private land remaining along the natural landmark and serve as a connector piece in the Florida Wildlife Corridor.  This project will increase biodiversity protection through the conservation of rare species habitat, preserve landscape linkages, secure a wildlife corridor, protect surface waters of the state, preserve aquifer recharge areas, and increase natural resource-based recreation opportunities along one of Florida’s largest spring-run streams.

The 135-acre property is located in southwest Marion County in the City of Dunnellon, and lies within Priority 2 of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The property preserves a large portion of undeveloped shoreline along the eastern side of the river and provides a connection to the southern end of the Rainbow Springs State Park (RSSP). Serving as an important linkage to existing conservation land, the Ranch shares its northern and eastern boundaries with RSSP, southwest boundary with the City of Dunnellon’s Blue Run of Dunnellon Park, and western boundary with the Rainbow River.

Rainbow River has one of the largest spring runs in the world and is a designated National Natural Landmark, an aquatic preserve, and an Outstanding Florida Waterway.  Restricting development on the property is crucial for the protection of the water quality, and the flora and fauna along the Rainbow River.

"I am thrilled to partner with Conservation Florida on the permanent protection of this uniquely special property" said Gissy Rainbow River Ranch landowner, Jim Gissy. "A conservation easement will provide added protection to the ecosystem it supports and play a critical role in the connection and protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor"

Conservation Florida worked with each property's landowner and the Department of Environmental Protection to negotiate the deal and bring it before the Governor and Cabinet today. As always, the conservancy works toward the ultimate goal of good conservation around the state resulting in a connected and protected Florida Wildlife Corridor.

The next phase for both Role Tran and Gissy Rainbow River Ranch's protection will be moving toward closing, and Conservation Florida is proud to continue to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to see these properties conserved forever.

About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land conservancy working to conserve Florida’s water, wildlife, wild places, and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The organization’s conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, wildlife corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy, and nature-based recreation. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has prioritized strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 31,700 acres of critical habitat. 

About Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water, and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.