The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has completed the purchase of 12,243 acres in Bay County to create Sandy Creek State Forest, which will be the newest addition to Florida’s state forest system. This acquisition, made through the Florida Forever Program as part of the Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project, expands protected land within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and introduces a new area for public recreation in Northwest Florida.
The newly acquired property is important for protecting a significant portion of the St. Andrew Bay Watershed. The land helps maintain water quality and reduces flooding risks in nearby communities. It also contains diverse habitats such as longleaf pine forests, wetlands, and floodplains that support species including gopher tortoises, Florida black bears, reticulated flatwoods salamanders, and dark-headed hatpins flowers.
“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.”
Sandy Creek State Forest will eventually provide opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor education when it opens to the public. The property will be managed by the Florida Forest Service with an emphasis on both conservation and recreation as part of its responsibilities within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape and the broader Florida Wildlife Corridor.
“When opened, Sandy Creek State Forest will provide new outdoor recreation opportunities for families, sportsmen and nature lovers in Northwest Florida,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “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.”
“The Florida Forest Service is eager to add Sandy Creek State Forest to its conservation efforts alongside our stewardship of 38 other state forests,” said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Florida currently has over 1 million acres of state forest land, protecting some of the state’s most valuable natural resources.”
Governor Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida Cabinet approved this acquisition at 97% of its appraised value during a previous Cabinet meeting.
Florida remains active in national land protection efforts through programs like Florida Forever, which secures lands that help safeguard water quality and quantity; enhance resilience against storms; protect habitats; conserve species; and expand outdoor recreation options across the state.
Since 2019, more than $1.4 billion has been allocated by the state to support these efforts under Florida Forever, with $950 million directed specifically toward projects within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. As a result, DEP has secured over 374,000 acres for conservation since 2019—91% located within this corridor.
More information about these programs can be found at FloridaDEP.gov/Lands.
