Bald eagles and swallow-tailed kites will continue to soar over Hatchineha Ranch. This likely candidate for suburban development was instead recently reclaimed for nature. “It’s one of the Conservancy’s most exciting and significant acquisitions ever,” said Florida State Director Jeff Danter. “The Florida panther — on the brink of extinction — is one of several rare species recently documented on the ranch.”

The central Florida property is a final piece of the huge, interconnected conservation landscape surrounding Lake Hatchineha in the upper Kissimmee River basin. Just across the lake is the Conservancy’s beautifully restored 12,000-acre Disney Wilderness Preserve.

What makes Hatchineha Ranch special?

• 5,134 total acres.
• Listed species include the Florida panther, gopher tortoise, Florida scrub-jay, sand skink, crested caracara, and southeastern kestrel.
• Natural communities include scrub, sandhill and flatwoods; swamp, marsh and prairie; blackwater stream and rare cutthroat seepage slope.
• It’s adjacent to two other protected areas: Catfish Creek Preserve State Park and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
• Restoring Hatchineha Ranch’s historic wetlands – impacted by agricultural ditching many years ago – will be a major milestone in the Conservancy’s strategy to protect the Kissimmee River and northern Everglades watersheds.

Native plants and animals will revel on this property. The Conservancy and our partners eagerly anticipate restoration and long-term conservation of Hatchineha Ranch’s wild spaces.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Eric Blackmore (Hatchineha Ranch); Photo © Eric Blackmore (swallow-tailed kite).