Media Inquiries
Contact the Office of Communications:
Erin Moffet
Strategic Communications Director
(850) 766-7358
Erin.Moffet@FDACS.gov
Caroline Stonecipher
Deputy Communications Director
(850) 661-7153
Caroline.Stonecipher@FDACS.gov
Sabina Covo
Hispanic Media Director
Sabina.Covo@FDACS.gov
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, offered the following statement on votes at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting:
Item 8, Florida Forever Land Acquisition – Santa Rosa County: “Any time we can take action to preserve conservation lands, we should. This project in Santa Rosa County will add over 2,000 acres to our conservation and forestation efforts. Preserving working forestland like this project promotes biodiversity, cleans our air, protects our waters from development, and provides exceptional outdoor recreation for which Florida is known. Our department and the Florida Forest Service are ready to manage this project and preserve these lands for the benefit of current and future generations.”
Item 10, Rural and Family Lands Conservation Easement – Okeechobee County: “The Rural and Family Lands Program has been one of my top priorities the past three legislative sessions. This FDACS program is so important to conserving and protecting our natural lands, waterways, and environment. Farmers and ranchers are essential conservation partners, complementing our efforts to ensure everyone can enjoy the same clean air, water, wildlife, and beautiful outdoors they deserve. This project in Okeechobee County is important to that mission; managed by our Florida Forest Service, Cow Creek Ranch is a large, working cattle ranch run by the Larson family for three generations. This land includes cypress swamps and mixed hardwood forests, as well as the headwaters of both Cow Creek and Cypress Creek. With its numerous freshwater wetlands providing habitats for several threatened and endangered species, and is a fantastic example of how state and federal partnerships can benefit our environment. I thank the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for its commitment to this project. With the proper support, the Rural and Family Lands Program will help conserve lands like these for many years to come.”
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