Tracy Dean, president and CEO of Conservation Florida, told the Senate Committee on Agriculture that land conservation funding must be steady to keep landowners and partners engaged in easement and fee‑title deals.

"That ranch, like so many agricultural operations across our state, sits on the edge of a decision," Dean said in a prepared presentation describing multi‑generation ranch families and the environmental services working lands provide.

Dean emphasized that conservation easements and fee‑simple acquisitions are complementary tools and said the two premier state programs—Rural and Family Lands and Florida Forever—help landowners choose the approach that fits their family and business goals. She warned that uncertainty or cuts in state funding slow deals, raise land prices and make large‑landscape conservation harder.

"Momentum is the key," Dean said, noting that most acreage in the Florida Wildlife Corridor remains in private agricultural ownership and that only a small portion is protected.

During a question from the committee about public access and landowner liability, Dean said public access terms depend on the negotiated deal and that many public‑access opportunities come from fee‑title state parks and forests rather than private easements. She offered to provide additional information on protections available to private landowners who permit public access.

Senators thanked Dean for the presentation. No formal committee action followed.

Ending

Conservation Florida framed the issue as both a conservation and agricultural‑economy priority and urged continued, predictable state funding to maintain the current pace of easement and acquisition projects.