The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has acquired more than 12,000 acres in Bay County to establish Sandy Creek State Forest, a significant expansion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and a new destination for public outdoor recreation in Northwest Florida.
According to an article by News WKRG 5, officials say the land acquisition protects a key part of the St. Andrew Bay Watershed, helping to safeguard water quality and reduce flooding in nearby communities.
Once opened, Sandy Creek State Forest will offer hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor education.
“When opened, Sandy Creek State Forest will provide new outdoor recreation opportunities for families, sportsmen, and nature lovers in Northwest Florida,” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said.
“Through the Florida Forest Service’s stewardship of over 1 million acres of state forest land, we’re expanding access to the outdoors while protecting our natural spaces for future generations to enjoy,” Simpson added.
The newly protected area includes diverse habitats such as longleaf pine forests, wetlands, and floodplains, which support native wildlife including gopher tortoises, Florida black bears, the reticulated flatwoods salamander, and the rare dark-headed hatpins flower.
“With the creation of Sandy Creek State Forest, we’re not only preserving vital ecosystems and expanding wildlife habitat but also connecting conservation lands from Eglin Air Force Base to Apalachicola National Forest,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert.
“This new state forest will offer meaningful public access while protecting the natural resources that make our state so special,” Alexis added.
The Florida Cabinet approved the purchase at 97% of its appraised value. The land will be managed by the Florida Forest Service and was acquired through the Florida Forever Program as part of the Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project.
The Florida Forever Program conserves land that provides environmental, recreational, and preservation benefits, including flood mitigation, habitat protection, and storm resilience.
Since 2019, the state has allocated more than $1.4 billion to the program, with $950 million directed toward the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
As a result, DEP has acquired over 374,000 acres for conservation, 91% of which lies within the corridor.
“The Florida Forest Service is eager to add Sandy Creek State Forest to its conservation efforts alongside our stewardship of 38 other state forests,” Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan said.
“Florida currently has over 1 million acres of state forest land, protecting some of the state’s most valuable natural resources,” Dolan added.
This acquisition is a major step forward for the outdoor recreation industry, adding a new destination for nature lovers and reinforcing Florida’s commitment to conserving land for both public enjoyment and long-term ecological health.