The Wolfe Creek Forest Project has earned the Sabal Innovative Partnership Award from the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, recognizing the collaboration among The Longleaf Alliance, Trust for Public Land, Florida Forest Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Florida Forever), Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Santa Rosa County.
For over a decade, partners have worked together to conserve more than 14,000 acres of priority lands in Santa Rosa County, linking important segments of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. These efforts help achieve the Corridor’s vision of permanently connecting Florida’s wild lands.
The award honors cross-sector collaborations that advance the Florida Wildlife Corridor and highlights the Wolfe Creek Forest Project as a model for landscape-scale conservation.
"I am truly inspired by the dedication and vision of all partners involved in conserving Wolfe Creek Forest and supporting Florida’s ecological legacy. Their collaborative spirit and tireless efforts not only protect vital habitats and endangered species but also ensure that future generations will experience the beauty and diversity of our natural heritage," said Board of County Commissioners Chairman Kerry Smith. "This partnership stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when organizations unite for a common cause, and I commend everyone involved for their outstanding commitment to preserving Florida’s wild places."
"The project really started to accelerate and grow in 2016 through the efforts of the Trust for Public Land and the other partners, like the Navy and Santa Rosa County," said Vernon Compton, Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership (GCPEP) Director. "My thanks and congratulations today to Santa Rosa County and the Navy, this is recognition of the long-lasting contributions you have made to the wildlife corridor." Additional GCPEP project partners included the Florida Forest Service, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Florida Forever), and The Longleaf Alliance.
"It's good to see Santa Rosa County recognized for its efforts. Santa Rosa County is the gold standard of innovative and collaborative partnership firsts," said Randy Roy, Community Planning & Liaison Officer, NAS Whiting Field. "So thank you to your leadership, you have helped safeguard threatened and endangered species as well as investing 20,000 acres and $60 million in saving a $1.6 billion economic impact to the local community, our defense strategy can't be matched anywhere else."
The Wolfe Creek Forest acquisition, finalized on November 4, 2024, protects military operations at NAS Whiting Field and local water sources, enhances public recreation, and safeguards wildlife habitats. Purchased by the Trust for Public Land for $1.5 million, funding came from Florida Forever and the U.S. Navy's REPI Program. This project ensures compatible land use near the aviation complex, which supports over 14,000 jobs and generates $1.1 billion annually. It also aids in restoring native longleaf pine forests, crucial for species like the red-cockaded woodpecker, gopher tortoise, black bear, and indigo snake. More information can be found at the Trust for Public Land, visit https://www.tpl.org/our-work/wolfe-creek-forest.
# # #
Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation champions a collaborative campaign to permanently connect, protect and restore the Florida Wildlife Corridor – a statewide network of connected lands and waters that supports wildlife and people. The organization aligns efforts to lead conservation of the Corridor’s highest priorities, accelerates connectivity by providing tools and resources that elevate partners’ work, and celebrates collective Corridor successes through storytelling and art. FWCF programs include the multi-day summit called Corridor Connect, expeditions, film screenings and presentations, Corridor curriculum, the Corridor mural campaign, and sharing a window into wild Florida through exhibits, installations, and their gallery. These actions raise awareness of the Corridor and inspire support statewide and beyond for the protection of the missing links in the Corridor. Learn more online at https://floridawildlifecorridor.org.