Wal-Mart Grant Program Facilitates the Protection of Important Conservation Connector

State purchases land from The Nature Conservancy with help from Acres for America program.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL—November 16, 2007—More than 11,200 acres that connect important wildlife habitat and buffers two important military installations were purchased in October by the state of Florida from The Nature Conservancy with help from the Wal-Mart Acres for America program. The land in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties protects historic longleaf pine habitat, outstanding river frontage and threatened ravine systems.

“Thanks to this grant made possible by Acres for America, we are grateful for the opportunity to help the state protect this important conservation land. Through collaborative partnerships like this, The Nature Conservancy works to ensure the health and survival of the natural world that sustains us all,” said Jeff Danter, state director for The Nature Conservancy.

Acres for America is a partnership conservation program that includes Wal-Mart Stores, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Turner Foundation, Inc.

The state acquired 11,209 acres of the long-sought Yellow River Ravines Florida Forever project, which The Nature Conservancy bought last year from International Paper and held for the state. The site links outstanding natural areas in Eglin Air Force Base with those in Blackwater River State Forest. The Florida Division of Forestry will manage the Yellow River lands as part of the Blackwater River State Forest. The protected area will continue to provide critical habitat for black bears and other rare species.

“The Yellow River Ravines project is the key piece to the puzzle,” said Callie DeHaven, senior field representative for The Nature Conservancy. “Large-scale conservation such as this — a connected undeveloped swath of land from the Gulf of Mexico into Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest — is an accomplishment all Floridians can be proud of.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. With funding from the voter approved Florida Forever program and our generous donors the Conservancy has helped protect more than 1.2 million acres in Florida since 1961. Visit us on the Web at nature.org/florida.