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by Tim L. Tetzlaff,
Director of Conservation, Keeping Florida’s Lands Working: A Future We Can Depend On
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

hen I was a boy in the Floridians—and for our economy. With an annual impact
1970s, there were only exceeding $180 billion, Florida’s agriculture generates more
W three businesses north revenue than tourism. Keeping these lands in production ensures
of Pine Ridge Road on US 41. The a local food supply and reduces our dependence on outside
drive to Fort Myers was a stretch sources. Ranchlands act as natural water filters, recharging
of palmettos and pines, a landscape Florida’s aquifers, while their grasslands absorb heavy rains,
that felt untouched. Perhaps that’s reducing flood risks. They also offer panthers, deer, bears, and
why I still prefer state routes over other species space to roam and support a balanced ecosystem,
the interstate on my regular trips ensuring diverse wildlife populations.
across Florida. Driving through A New Way Forward: Supporting the Landowners Who
wild Florida while spotting a crested Keep Florida Wild
caracara take flight or a kingfisher perched over a canal turns a There is a better solution than developing ranches—one
long commute into a morning well spent. And in most cases, that keeps land working while making conservation financially
that “wild” Florida only exists because of the families who have viable. A pilot Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program
cared for these ranches and open landscapes for generations. is getting started to compensate landowners for keeping their land working.
Many of these vast private landscapes are part of the Florida Wildlife This makes conservation a financially smart choice and recognizes ranchers
Corridor, the network of lands that allows panthers, black bears, and for what they already do: care for the land in a way that benefits all of us. Many
countless other species to survive and thrive. They also ensure fresh food Florida land stewards, including ranchers and Indigenous communities,
is grown close to home, keep the water flowing from our taps clean, and have long worked to keep these landscapes intact. Supporting these efforts is
preserve open spaces beyond our state and federal parks. These lands play essential to maintaining Florida’s natural heritage.
a critical role in flood prevention, water filtration, and quality of life for What Can We Do?
Florida’s rapidly growing communities. Programs like PES and Conservation Easements help keep these lands
Yet, these lands that resemble the US 41 of my youth can just as easily working for both ranchers and Florida’s future. Easements compensate
follow the same route. landowners for permanently protecting their land and are a key tool for those
Florida’s Unseen Conservationists who want to keep their land in agriculture while staving off the financial
We often picture conservation as something that happens in national pressures pushing them toward development. True conservation means
parks or protected wetlands, but some of Florida’s best conservationists standing with the people who live and work on the land every day.
go unnoticed, wearing boots and cowboy hats. The same land that feeds us At the same time, smart growth planning ensures that Florida’s booming
also serves as habitat for wildlife. Ranchers are not just managing cattle; population can be accommodated without sacrificing critical landscapes.
they are stewards of entire ecosystems, keeping water tables healthy, Policymakers and business leaders alike have the opportunity to invest in
maintaining tree canopies, and preserving the last open landscapes conservation-minded solutions that benefit both people and wildlife.
with land management practices that prevent our state from becoming A Florida Worth Passing On
one endless subdivision. Many ranchers implement Best Management That wilderness drive to Fort Myers of my past is no longer, but as
Practices that help protect water quality, restore native habitats, and Florida’s open lands dwindle, we need to think about the future. The good
ensure that working lands remain environmentally sustainable. news? The solution is already here. By keeping Florida’s lands working, we
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and can ensure fresh food on our tables, clean water in our homes, and a future
every year, more family ranches are lost to development. Ranchers face we can depend on.
increasing development pressures, and for some families, the economic So the next time you pass a pasture on a country drive, remember: it’s
challenges make passing land down to the next generation more complex. more than just open space. It’s a working landscape and a legacy that sustains
Losing Land Means Losing More Than We Think Florida’s future.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, passed in 2021, recognized To learn more or support these efforts, visit NaplesZoo.org/conserve
that protecting these lands is critical not just for wildlife, but for all
Together, we can create a brighter, more resilient future for people and wildlife.
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit entrusted with educating families and caring for rare species in a century old historic garden. Since 2014, Naples
Zoo has invested over $3.5 million saving plants and animals in the wild and fully funds the annual salary of 27 field staff in 7 countries including three wildlife veterinarians.
To learn more about how you can invest in a better future for people and wildlife, email tim@napleszoo.org.
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