Flagler County is set to complete the largest single land purchase in its Environmentally Sensitive Lands program’s history on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The county will close on a $6.05 million acquisition of 3,800 acres in central Flagler County, which will be preserved and protected as the Big Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve.
The property encompasses nearly the entire Big Cypress Swamp, a regionally significant wetland system that serves as the headwaters of White Branch — a tributary that flows into Crescent Lake and ultimately the St. Johns River. The land also represents a critical link in the Ocala-to-Matanzas Conservation Corridor, connecting thousands of acres of natural lands across the region.
Environmentally Sensitive Lands and Natural Resources Manager Erick Revuelta described the range of habitats found on the property. “The preserve contains upland and wetland habitats, including mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, basin swamp, hydric hammock, and freshwater marsh, which provide foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including rare and imperiled species such as the wood stork, the eastern black rail, and the eastern indigo snake,” Revuelta said. “The site is also home to a large population of the Florida black bear.”
The purchase is the result of a partnership between Flagler County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Funding came from the State of Florida through the Florida Wildlife Corridor Initiative, a program championed by former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.
The road to closing took more than a year. The project was first reviewed by the Land Acquisition Committee on February 10, 2025, and was approved by the Board of County Commissioners to be added to the priority “A” list on March 3, 2025. The title work was received on March 5, 2025, followed by appraisals on April 28, 2025. A letter of intent was executed on July 15, 2025, and the Board of County Commissioners formally approved the purchase and sale agreement on August 18, 2025. The closing is scheduled for April 9, 2026.
Once the sale is complete, the preserve will be managed by the county’s Land Management Department. Revuelta said the county’s plans for the property include active land management to keep the ecosystem healthy. “Management of the property is likely to include the reintroduction of prescribed fire as well as invasive species control,” he said. “As part of the development of a management plan for the preserve, county staff will evaluate the site for potential use for wetland mitigation to offset impacts associated with county projects such as new roadways, parks, fire and police stations.”
The Big Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve will serve both as a protected natural habitat and as a potential resource for future county infrastructure projects that require environmental offsets. More information about Flagler County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands program is available at www.FlaglerCounty.gov.
