The purchase of the conservation easement will ensure the property remains free from any future development
Jacksonville, Fla., May 6, 2025 – North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) has acquired a conservation easement that is more than 83 acres in Clay County on the southeast side of Camp Blanding, within the military installation’s Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) zone. It is also within the ecologically important Ocala to Osceola (O2O) Wildlife Corridor. The conservation easement on the property owned by the Hughes family was purchased for $540,000 with funding from the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program.
“The purchase of this conservation easement ensures that this property will never be developed or changed from its existing use. It is Now or Never,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “The family will be able to continue living on and enjoying the property, while protecting its natural state. This conservation easement protects land vital to wildlife habitats and national defense. It prevents encroachment on Camp Blanding, which has been an important partner in conservation within the O2O for many years.”
The Hughes property is near NFLT’s Milam Preserve, Smith Lake Preserve, and Gold Head Branch State Park. It is the family's primary residence and includes two homes, a horse barn, outbuildings, and cross-fencing. The conservation easement agreement allows the family to continue to live on and use the land while preventing any further development of the land or more intense uses.
“I am so happy to have found NFLT to help me preserve this beautiful property and the abundant wildlife it supports,” said landowner Erin Hughes. “My family has lived in Florida since the 1880s and I am proud to help preserve at least a piece of the natural Florida they once knew. Thank you to Kim (NFLT conservation transactions manager) and everyone who helped make this happen.”
Conserving the land protects the habitats of wildlife and plant species and provides a buffer for Camp Blanding. A blend of upland pine forest and open pastureland offers habitat for many native species, including the white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and the gopher tortoise, a protected species. It also sits on the edge of an aquifer recharge area. Protecting the land will help buffer the creek system, maintain historic recharge and discharge areas, and prevent any potential flooding to the military installation that could occur with more intense uses.
North Florida Land Trust will hold the conservation easement on these 83 acres, adding to the nonprofit’s successful conservation portfolio. Over the past 25 years, NFLT has helped protect more than 43,000 acres across Florida.
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing quality of life by protecting North Florida's irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations. For more information, visit nflt.org.